Thailand celebrates the royal birthday of Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana on Wednesday (June 3), which is a national holiday.

Her Majesty was granted the royal title of Queen by His Majesty the King on May 1, 2019. Later, on May 4, 2019, a ceremony was held for the royal investiture as HM the Queen.

Early life

The Queen was born on June 3, 1978, at Ban Phru subdistrict, Hat Yai district in Songkhla province in a Chinese-Thai family. Then known as Suthida Tidjai, she attended high school at Hatyai Witthayalai Somboon Kulkanya school. After that, she studied the Bachelor of Communication Arts programme at the Faculty of Communication Arts at Assumption University and graduated in 2000.

After graduation, she became a flight attendant on JAL Airline from 2000 to 2003 and was a flight attendant in Thai Airways from 2003 to 2008, living a normal life.

Later, she entered the military service in the Command Unit, offering security to the King. She rose to the position of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Guard Unit (Special General) and received royal grace to be a royal bodyguard of the Royal Family and many royals.

On May 1, 2019, she got married to HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn at Amporn Amphorn Royal Palace, and became Queen Sutida. Later, at the HM Royal Investiture ceremony she became HM Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana.

The 7th Queen of Chakri Dynasty

Queen Sutida is the seventh Queen of the Chakri Dynasty. In chronological order, they are:

▪︎ Queen Somdet Phra Amarindra, in the reign of King Rama I

▪︎ Queen Somdet Phra Sri Suriyendra Boromarajini, in the reign of King Rama II

▪︎ Queen Somdet Phra Debsirindra Boromarajini, in the reign of King Rama IV

▪︎ Queen Somdet Phra Nangchao Indrasakdi Sachi Phra Boromarajini in the reign of King Rama VI

▪︎ Queen Somdet Phra Nangchao Rambai Barni Phra Boromarajini in the reign of King Rama VII

▪︎ Queen Somdet Phra Nangchao Sirikit Phra Boromarajininat in the reign of King Rama IX

▪︎ Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajarasudha Bimollaksana, in the reign of King Rama X

Under royal custom, only the wife of a King who has had a coronation ceremony can become Queen.

On June 10, 2919, the King issued a royal command to government agencies, civil servants and courtiers in the Department of Business in the Royal Family to directly serve under the Queen. They include:

▪︎ Royal Secretariat in the Queen Sirikit

Arts and Crafts Division

▪︎ Queen Sirikit Institute

▪︎ Arts and Crafts Foundation under Queen Sirikit’s patronage.

▪︎ Maiden in Queen Sirikit

Their Majesties were accompanied by HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati and HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya.

In his telegram, the King said he is truly alarmed and deeply concerned by the extent and severity of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan. He said the world community cannot but be impressed with the thorough diligence and determination of the Chinese authorities and with the comprehensive measures adopted to combat the scourge. The King affirmed his solidarity with the Chinese people and wished them every success in overcoming the challenge under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.

In a New Year’s eve address at Amporn Sathan Throne Hall, Dusit Palace, on Tuesday (December 31) at 8pm, the King conveyed his blessings and good wishes for “a healthy body and cheerful mind, bright intelligence, strong faith and conscience to behave oneself under the guidance of morality, ethics and moderation, and determination to contribute to the nation and society”.

“In undertaking any work, mistakes are often unavoidable. However, one must learn from those mistakes and use them as lessons for oneself, others and society to improve the working process. The experiences, knowledge and skills accumulated from these lessons will help in controlling oneself and avoid repeating the same mistakes, resulting in a bright future and true prosperity.

“May the Holy Triple Gem and all the sacred things that you revere, as well as the virtues of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great protect your families and bless you with good health and happiness throughout the year 2020 and forever.”

HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida also gave a 2020 New Year greeting card for Thai people. On the front side there is the symbol of the Chakri dynasty, as well as the symbols of Their Majesties. When opened, on the right side of the card is a picture of the King and Queen, while on the left side is the message “2020 New Year Blessing”, with the signatures of Their Majesties.

King Rama X and the Royal Family arrived at Wasukri Pier and boarded the vessel for the royal barge procession at 4pm.

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, and His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti entered the royal barge Suphannahong, which was manned by 50 oarsmen with two steersmen, two officers, one standard bearer, one signalman, seven Royal Chatra bearers and one chanter to sing the traditional boat song with the oarsmen chanting in unison.

Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya were onboard the royal barge Anekkachatphutchong.

The royal officials invited Phra Buddha Patima Chaiwat, a Buddha image from the reign of King Rama IX, to be enshrined in the middle of the barge, a tiered roofed shrine on the royal barge Anantanakkharat.

The royal barge procession departed Wasukri Pier to Ratchaworadit Pier where the land procession to be held.

HM the King then rode in the royal palanquin in the small royal land procession on Maha Rat Road. The procession turned right to Phra Lan Road, and it turned right again to the Grand Palace through Vises Jayasri Gate. Meanwhile, Her Majesty Queen Suthida also participated in the land procession as the King’s Guard.

After arriving at the Grand Palace, His Majesty changed his royal attire and robe and then returned to Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall by car.