Mother’s Day in Thailand: A Foreign Teacher’s Dive into Jasmine and Respect

For a newbie teacher, Mother’s Day—or Wan Mae—is a chance to step outside the classroom and into Thailand’s heart. Celebrated on Queen Sirikit’s birthday, it honors the “Queen Mother” of the Thai people and every nurturing soul—mothers, aunts, grandmas. Unlike Western brunches, this public holiday bursts with jasmine garlands, Buddhist gratitude, and community spirit. Here’s your guide—what, when, how, and why—written with deep respect for Thailand and its warm families.