The Queen speaks out during birthday speech

Her majesty the Queen Sirikit used the occasion of her speech celebrating her 75th birthday to address issues that are important today for the people of Thailand. One large issue facing the country right now is the new draft constitution that was approved by a majority of voters on the same day as her majesty’s birthday.

On the subject of issues in the new constitution, Her Majesty said that although she believes that it is the role of every monarch to protect the tenets of Buddhism with their lives, she stressed the importance of the separation between religion and politics, saying the status of Buddhism should not be addressed in the document. This was in response to a section of the population who wished to use the drafting of a new constitution to re-implement a Buddhist-run government.

She also addressed the state of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok’s main waterway, seen by most tourists from a thin boat cruising the rive and its canal systems. The recent news of heavy pollution is of concern to the Queen, who believes if something is not done, the river as a source for food will be impossible and many species will become extinct.

The celebration of Her majesty the Queen’s birthday was held at the Dusitdalai pavilion in Chitrlada Palace and was attended by over 15,000 people.