Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother regarded being a mother as her most significant role. Her Majesty’s loving kindness and deep concern for the people, particularly the underprivileged and those in distress, placed her in a prestigious status as the Mother of the Thai Nation.

As a mother of four, the Queen Mother saw herself as a model for her children. Thai people were accustomed to Her Majesty’s great manner, gentle words, and genuine concern over their plight, whether they had the fortune of direct contact with Her Majesty or were watching from afar. Such qualities were passed on to the royal children, who grew up as well-mannered and caring royals, all of them comfortable with their subjects.

Her Majesty the Queen Mother paid close attention to the upbringing of all the royal children; she personally supervised their daily routines, ensuring their good health and hygiene and a balanced diet. Her Majesty spent the evening hours with them seeing that they attended to their homework and studies, as well as leading their prayers.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, in an essay on “Mother” marking National Mother’s Day, gave this account:

When we came up for an evening meal, Mother would be present whenever she was free from functions. First, she would check the nutritional value of the dishes and second, make sure our table manners were proper, and third, what we and all the guardians liked the most, she always had interesting stories to tell us at the table.

She would select books to read to us in diverse subjects, in history, important personalities, and general knowledge. Sometimes she selected items from weekly papers. When we got a little older, she read English articles to us, as well. Occasionally, there would be quizzes to refresh our memories. The winner would get one baht as a prize. We said jokingly in the family that the most boring stories would become exciting and colorful when told by Mother.  

Her Majesty the Queen Mother performed her function as the first teacher in her children’s life. She also took people in the rural areas under her care, giving them knowledge, vocational skills, the opportunities to earn their living. Sometimes she personally taught them to read and to make crafts from local materials. Her Majesty also accepted the sick under her royal patronage and saved numerous lives. Her motherly love earned her many words of praise, as well as affection and respect from her people.

The Queen Mother is recognized as the Mother of the Thai nation. Her birthday, 12 August, continues to be observed as the National Mother’s Day in Thailand.