In Bangkok, Governor Apirak Kosayodhin, civil servants and individuals offered food to 575 monks at Sanam Luang.

Apirak encouraged people to plant trees and increase the green areas of Thailand as Her Majesty hoped. Apirak planted the two millionth tree of the "Bangkok: City of Life" project.

Seventy-six men entered Wat Yan Nawa to become monks. They will dedicate their boon to Her Majesty.

During his weekly radio programme, caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra invited all Thais to offer blessings and light candles for Her Majesty at the auspicious time of 7.29 last night.

Thaksin and his wife Pojaman presided over a candle-lighting ceremony at Sanam Luang. This was repeated in four regions and broadcast nationwide.

In provinces around the country governors led people in morning alms-giving to monks in honour of Her Majesty.

Many participated in other merit-making activities. In Chiang Rai 79 students entered Wat Doi Kong Khao in Muang district to become nuns.

Pathum Thani spared the lives of nine cows and nine buffaloes, while the Phang Nga naval base released 299 baby green turtles at Son Ngam Beach in Tai Muang district.

Phichit released 740,000 fish into the Nan River, Surat Thani freed 200,000 fish into the Tapi River, Chon Buri released one million fish and shrimp into the Mae Klong River, and Prachuap Khiri Khan freed one million fish into a local bay.

In Songkhla 74 contestants aged from five to 76 swam a 2.5-kilometre race from Simila Beach to Kho Noo.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, residents attending the opening of a new public park in honour of Her Majesty reported witnessing a 30-minute solar corona that appeared as they were singing the Royal anthem.

The spiritual leader of Thailand's Islamic community, Sawat Sumalyasak, the Chula Rajamontri, yesterday offered blessings and gratitude to Her Majesty on behalf of Muslims nationwide. He also presented awards to mothers and religious teachers.

Yesterday was also Mother's Day. Many expressed their love and gratitude to their mothers, with most offering them garlands of jasmine, the symbolic flower of the day.

Prices for jasmine soared from Bt200 per kilogram to Bt700 in Chiang Rai. A single garland normally costing Bt25 was changing hands for Bt40.