Thais offer alms to monks celebrating Queen’s birthday

THAILAND, August 12 (TNA) - Thais throughout the country on Sunday offered alms to Buddhist monks to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 80th birthday which is also the Mother’s Day. Many people turned up in front of the Bangkok City Hall and offered alms, including food, to monks to celebrate the Queen’s birthday. At Suan Amporn, the National Council on Social Welfare of Thailand, under Royal Patronage, 214 selected and outstanding mothers received shields in recognition of their deeds and cares given to their children. Similar celebrations were also organised in upcountry. In the northernmost province of Chiang Rai, hill tribe people prayed for the revered Queen at Wat Pra That Thunjai in recognition of Her Majesty the Queen’s kindness and assistance given to them. The governor of the southern province of Yala led people in offering alms to 81 monks and novices. They also chanted “Long Live the Queen” amid tight security offered by government forces. More than 3,000 people in Surat Thani province also offered alms to 89 monks and released 89,000 fishes into Rapee River to celebrate the Queen’s birthday. (TNA)