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SCMP Reporter

It is a common misconception that Asian women are often passive, taking a domestic role, deferring to men and playing little part in affairs of state at the highest levels.

Thailand's Queen Sirikit, celebrating her 71st birthday today, is proof to the contrary. She has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of her people in an understated manner since marrying King Bhumibol Adulyadej more than 50 years ago.

Queen Sirikit is the daughter of His Highness Prince Chandaburi Suranath, who was the third son of His Royal Highness Prince Chandaburi Narunath. She was born on August 12, 1932, the year the kingdom became a constitutional monarchy.

Early education of the future Queen took place in Thailand, with a stint at St Francis Xavier convent school.

Her father was as Minister to France, then to Denmark. He was later appointed Ambassador to the Court of St James in London. The young Sirikit completed her education in Switzerland.

Queen Sirikit met her husband-to-be while he was on a visit to Paris and she subsequently visited him often after he was involved in a serious motor accident in Geneva.

The young couple were formally engaged in July 1949 and a royal wedding was held on April 28, 1950, in Bangkok. They have four children - Princess Ubol Ratana, born in 1951; Prince Vajiralongkorn, born 1952; Princess Sirindhorn, born 1955; and Princess Chulabhorn, born 1957.

Queen Sirikit has been a discreet force in improving the lives of her subjects, such as helping to revive indigenous cottage industries and promoting Thai arts, culture and crafts.

Her efforts led to the blossoming of the local silk industry - the Queen has been an international ambassador of her country's sartorial splendours, often wearing traditional Thai silk designs on her official visits abroad.

She has encouraged women in villages to make shoes, handbags and other accessories out of jute and palm leaves, and others to craft traditional clay dolls known as palace dolls. As a result, the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques was established in 1976.

The Queen is also president of the Thai Red Cross Society. She was regent, acting as Head of State, during His Majesty's period of priesthood in 1956. Queen Sirikit is president of the Council of Social Welfare and promotes environmental conservation.

While Thailand is ruled by a king, there is no doubt its revered Queen provides a feminine touch to the authority of the throne.



Feminine touch helps improve people's lives