Thailand is in mourning following the passing of Queen Mother Sirikit, the beloved widow of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and mother of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The Royal Household Bureau confirmed that Sirikit passed away peacefully on Friday night at Chulalongkorn Hospital, aged 93.
According to the official statement, Queen Mother Sirikit died at 9:21 p.m. local time after battling several illnesses, including a recent blood infection. Her death marks the end of an era for Thailand, where she was admired as a symbol of compassion, unity, and grace during her husband’s historic reign.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has declared a national mourning period and cancelled his trip to the ASEAN summit in Malaysia to oversee royal funeral arrangements. The cabinet held a special meeting on Saturday to finalize the ceremonies.
Sirikit’s body will lie in state at the Grand Palace’s Dusit Thorne Hall in Bangkok. Members of the royal family and the public will be allowed to pay their final respects. King Vajiralongkorn has ordered a one-year mourning period for the royal family and palace officials, reflecting the immense respect Thais hold for their Queen Mother.
Born in 1932, Sirikit Kitiyakara met King Bhumibol while studying in Paris, where her father served as Thailand’s ambassador. The couple married in April 1950, just days before the King’s coronation. Together, they represented modern Thailand on the global stage, meeting world leaders and earning admiration for their humility and dedication.
Sirikit was also celebrated internationally for her elegance and charitable work. Her birthday, August 12, has been observed as Mother’s Day in Thailand since 1976, a tribute to her role as the “Mother of the Nation.”
Though she suffered a stroke in 2012 and made few public appearances afterward, her influence remained strong. Her portraits continue to adorn homes and public places across the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan extended his condolences to the Thai Royal Family, expressing grief over the loss of Queen Mother Sirikit and honoring her legacy of compassion and service.
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Queen Mother Sirikit’s passing closes a defining chapter in Thailand’s monarchy, leaving behind a lasting legacy of dignity, maternal love, and unwavering devotion to the Thai people.
