In shades of purple for the Princess

To mark the occasion of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 60th birthday, the Queen Savang Vadhana Foundation and Phufa recently held the “Muang Thepparat” event in Siam Discovery.

At the event they encouraged participants to mark the occasion by wearing polo shirts in shades of violet and lavender sporting the royal emblem. Many celebrities were at hand to sell the shirts, which can still be found at Phufa shops nationwide.

Visitors to the event also got a chance to put down their birthday wishes for the beloved Princess in cards carrying images of Persian violets – the Princess’ flower. 

The shirts marking the royal birthday were markedly differently. The ones sold by the Queen Savang Vadhana Foundation sported a new royal emblem designed by the Culture Ministry’s Division of 10 Crafts and are available in shades of lavender and violet. 

The emblem has Princess Sirindhorn’s initials – “Sor Thor” – encased in the Supanbenjapetcharat frame, with the first letter in dark purple and second in white on a lilac background. The five gems embedded in the frame represent the completion of five 12-year astrological cycles. The initials are topped with a crown and behind it is the Sattapadol Savettachat or the seven-tier white umbrella, with six golden champaka flowers hanging from the lowest tier, depicting the Princess’ royal decoration. 

The frame is flanked by two angels holding golden lotus vines. They were created to depict the notion of deities coming down from heaven to bless the Princess on the occasion of her birthday, with the lotus vines representing her residence – the Sra Pathum (lotus pond) Palace. 

Under the frame are the numbers 60, indicating her age, set on a rose background representing Thursday.

Below that is the phrase “celebrating five astrological cycles” and the date. Proceeds from the sale of these shirts will go toward the construction of the Queen Savang Vadhana Holistic Medical Centre at the Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital in Chon Buri’s Sri Racha district

Meanwhile, Phufa’s versions sport the royal emblem as well as the Princess’ drawing of a goat.

Proceeds from sale of these shirts will go toward the Fund for Development of Children and Youth in Remote Areas, which promotes better living standards among people in far-flung areas.