Like many important occasions, alms giving to monks forms a meaningful part of the traditional Mother’s Day celebrations. Early in the morning, ceremonies are held to give offerings of food to Thailand’s saffron-robed Buddhist monks.
Schools in Thailand typically host a Mother’s Day ceremony. (The ceremony is held perhaps a day before the official holiday as on the day itself all schools, government offices and most businesses are closed.) Students may spend weeks beforehand rehearsing performances and the proper steps of the ceremony. On the special day, mothers come to their child’s school and each child kneels at his or her mother’s feet, paying respect to mom for all that she has done for them. Within these heartfelt moments, it’s common to see mothers wiping tears from their eyes and many children doing the same (and sometimes onlookers as well).
It’s also become quite common for families to celebrate their love for mom by taking her out for a special meal. Particularly in Bangkok and other large cities and developed locations like Chiang Mai and Phuket, many restaurants offer Mother’s Day specials. Hotels and resorts also offer Mother’s Day packages. So if you are visiting or residing in Thailand during this period you may want to be on the look out for restaurant and hotel specials.