Her Majesty the Queen on Tuesday presided over a concert marking Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday at the Thailand Cultural Centre.
It was organised by the Phurukhun Paendin (People who are Grateful to the Country) Club.
Her Majesty the Queen was received by Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome, Thanpuying Ploypailin Jensen, who is Princess Ubolratana’s daughter, Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, who is the head of the club, and the organisers of the concert.
During the concert in the centre’s main hall, Her Majesty watched several performances by club members honouring the Queen Mother.
Afterwards, Her Majesty distributed flowers to the performers, singers and musicians on stage.
Khunying Patama said the club was founded in 2006 at the suggestion of the Queen Mother to help people affected by unrest in the southern border provinces.
At the time, the Queen Mother instructed agencies and organisations to help them and boost morale so they would not feel neglected, Khunying Patama said.
She said the Queen Mother advised Thais to show their gratitude to the country and not abandon those in hard times.
The club has since expanded its activities to also help officials, police, soldiers, civilians and volunteers who carry out their duties along the nation’s borders, as well as people affected by natural disasters, she said.
The club comprises members from 10 organisations including the Chitralada Alumni Association, St Francis Xavier Convent’s Alumnae Association, St Joseph Convent’s Alumnae Association, Mater Dei Alumnae Association, and the Rajini Alumni Association.
The others hail from the Wanglang Wattana’s Alumnae Association, the Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women’s Association of Thailand, Satriwithaya Alumni Association, Sai Panya Association, and the Ubolratana Foundation under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen.
Sasamon Sa-nguansin, who helped organise yesterday’s concert and is head of the St Francis Xavier Alumnae Association, said the Queen Mother was a student at the school and served as a role model for teachers and students.