Speech by
H.E. Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhaya
At the Celebration on the Occasion of
The 78th? Birthday Anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit
12 August B.E. 2553 (2010)
At the Residence of the Ambassador of Thailand,
14 Jacaranda Street, North Forbes Park, Makati City

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Ambassador Josue Villa,? Former Ambassador of the Philippines to Thailand,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Royal Thai Embassy and Team Thailand in the Philippines, I wish to extend my warm welcome and felicitations to the Thai community, our Filipino acquaintances, distinguished fellows and ?Friends of Thailand? gathering here tonight as the Kingdom of Thailand graciously celebrates the auspicious occasion of The 78th? Birthday Anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. I am sure that our friends who used to reside in Thailand would know very well how special this occasion means.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Throughout our history, the Thai Royal Family has earned the unreserved love and respect of the people. Ever since the coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadel on 5 May 1950, the monarchy has been an example of self-sacrifice and hard work in the service of the nation. Led and guided by His Majesty the King himself, the Thai Royal Family has now contributed more than three thousand development projects nationwide.

For decades, Her Majesty the Queen has learned a great deal from His Majesty?s projects, which has been very beneficial to the Thai people. It can be said that Her Majesty?s immense compassion for the poor and the sick grew while accompanying His Majesty the King on journeys throughout the Kingdom.

Her Majesty the Queen?s projects focus mainly on helping families, especially in supporting women and people in rural areas to help them earn supplementary income. Since the early 1960s, Her Majesty?s projects have widened from handicraft to forest conservation and empowerment of the underprivileged sector of the Thai society.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Her Majesty the Queen has also promoted women and family rights to make women and their families feel proud of their role in society. Through Her Majesty?s excellent foresight, she has done nearly every possible thing to raise women?s social status such as the promotion and creation of organizations as well as the initiation of projects to educate and train women ? to enable them to raise their economic status and social welfare while encouraging them to appreciate their Thai Heritage of traditional art and culture.

As part of Her Majesty?s effort to uplift the plight of rural women and promote Thai traditional handicraft, she established the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques or ?SUPPORT Foundation.? The Foundation has been very active in all parts of Thailand since 1976.

Moreover, Her Majesty the Queen?s devotion to the country is widely recognized not only in Thailand but also in the international community. This may be attested by the fact that a number of international organizations had presented her honorable awards like the 1985 Asia Society?s Humanitarian Award, the 2004 Aid to Artisans Award for the Preservation of Crafts as well as the 1979 Ceres Gold Medal of U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For the Thais, Her Majesty the Queen has always been ardently devoted to the King?s ideals and has always been instrumental in supporting the King, who is the Nation?s strength. Indeed, Her Majesty the Queen remains active even today at 78 years of age. Over the years, Her Majesty the Queen has played a significant role in following up and supporting the Royal projects initiated by His Majesty the King. In fact, it can be said that her purpose and life?s work has always been to assist the King in fulfilling the Monarchy?s duty to the Thai people.

On a positive note on Thailand ? Philippines relations, Their Majesties the King and the Queen paid a State visit to the Republic of the Philippines in July 1963. On that occasion, Her Majesty the Queen was presented with the Honorary Doctorate in Humanities Degree from the Centro Escolar University and the Sampaguita Medal from the Philippine National Red Cross. The Royal Visit undeniably strengthened the close relationship between the Philippines and Thailand.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On the auspicious occasion of the 78th Birthday Anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand on 12 August 2010, the Royal Thai Embassy and Team Thailand in the Philippines as well as the Thai Community wish Her Majesty the Queen all the happiness and good health.

Long Live the Queen!

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