Government, military organize activities in honor of Thai Queen

BANGKOK, August 3 (TNA) - The government and the Royal Thai Armed Forces organize activities in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty's 83rd birthday anniversary on August 12, 2015. Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha, who is also Chief of the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), presided over a ceremony on Monday evening to launch the new theme for Bangkok's floating market along the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal near the Government House. The new themed event, the "Creative Industry as Presents for Mom", is held from August 3-23, 2015, during which a royal exhibition in honor of Her Majesty the Queen is organized on the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty's 83rd birthday on August 12, which is also Thailand's National Mother's Day. During the three-week event, the public are also welcome to write their best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen on the auspicious occasions. Besides, various quality goods are on displayed at the floating market, including handmade and decorative products, jewelries, herbs for good health and healthy food items, as well as a service to create basket presents for mothers on the occasion of the National Mother's Day. For the first week, highlights of the fair include traditional fabrics and gold jewelries of the present Rattnakosin Era and cosmetics. For the second week, its highlights include food products for breast feeding moms and healthy food items. For the last week, its highlights include furniture and house decoration items. Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Armed Forces will organize a grouped-ordination on August 4 to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen on the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty's 83rd birthday and the National Mother's Day on August 12, 2015. Thai Supreme Commander General Worapong Sa-nganet presided over a ceremony at the Royal Thai Armed Forces' headquarters on the outskirts of Bangkok on Monday morning, during which a total of 84 military officers and their family members paid respect to Her Majesty the Queen, requested for forgiveness from their parents and supervisors and had their hair shaved, one day before their mass ordination at the Sam Praya Worawihan Temple in the capital. A merit-making ceremony to celebrate their monkhood will then be held on August 10 at the temple. Apart from honoring Her Majesty the Queen, Tuesday's mass ordination is also aimed at promoting gratitude to parents among the public, including the 84 new Buddhist monks. (TNA)