Thai women have played vital roles throughout the history of the Kingdom. Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother endeavored in every way to elevate the status of women through various programs, as well as educating and training them, so that they would improve their prospects in life. 

As proposed jointly by the Ministry of Interior, the National Council of Women of Thailand, and women’s groups across the country, the Cabinet on 29 July 2003, acknowledged the designation of 1 August each year Thai Women’s Day. The reason is that 1 August usually marks the start of activities carried out to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s birthday, 12 August. Her Majesty was then asked to grant permission for the observance of Thai Women’s Day to be in her honor on this special occasion. 

Later, in 2008, Her Majesty also granted permission for the use of the Cattleya “Queen Sirikit” orchid as the symbol for Thai Women’s Day. A crossbred cattleya, which is well known and loved among orchid lovers, this variety of orchid yields long white blossoms with yellow lips. It is one of the flowers bearing the royal name “Queen Sirikit” of Thailand, by Her Majesty’s royal consent.

Recognized as Mother of the Land, Her Majesty’s birthday is observed as National Mother’s Day. The National Council on Social Welfare of Thailand proposed in 1976 the designation of Her Majesty’s birthday National Mother’s Day, and the Cabinet approved the proposal.

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit gave immense support to the cause of Thai women. While King Rama IX worked to improve the lot of poor farmers, Her Majesty worked to improve the lot of women. For instance, she sponsored programs and organizations providing educational and training opportunities to enable women to improve their economic and social welfare.

In Thailand, a large number of women are farmers, either working alone or side-by-side with their male counterparts. Very often the returns for their labor provide them with only a subsistence income. Her Majesty Queen Sirikit introduced supplementary occupations for Thai women to earn extra income through the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques, or the SUPPORT Foundation. 

In so doing, Her Majesty not only provided them with opportunities to earn more income, but also gave them pride in their fine craftsmanship in arts and crafts.