BANGKOK (October 25, 2025) — Thailand is mourning the death of Queen Mother Sirikit, who passed away on Friday at the age of 93, the royal palace confirmed in an official statement. The palace said the Queen died peacefully at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, where she had been receiving long-term medical care.
The Thai government has declared a one-year period of national mourning, with flags to be flown at half-mast for 30 days and all entertainment events suspended during the initial mourning period.
Born in 1932 into an aristocratic family, Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara married King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) in 1950. The royal couple’s marriage lasted seven decades until the late King’s death in 2016. Sirikit was deeply admired across the country for her devotion to rural development, cultural preservation, and humanitarian work.
During her years as Queen Consort, she launched numerous projects aimed at improving livelihoods in rural Thailand, promoting traditional silk weaving, jewelry craftsmanship, and environmental conservation. Her efforts to empower women in rural communities earned her immense respect both domestically and abroad.
Often referred to as “Mother of the Nation,” Sirikit was also known for her sense of style and grace, which helped showcase Thai fashion and craftsmanship on the global stage.
The palace revealed that Queen Sirikit’s health had been deteriorating for years following a major stroke in 2012. She had been under medical supervision since 2019 and developed a blood infection earlier this month, which ultimately led to her passing.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), her son and Thailand’s current monarch, has ordered a royal funeral with full honours. The date of the funeral has not yet been announced, but preparations are already underway at the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
Following the announcement, thousands of Thais gathered outside the palace and temples across the country to pay their respects. Many were seen dressed in black, laying flowers, and lighting candles in her memory.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed deep sorrow on behalf of the government, calling Queen Sirikit’s death “an immeasurable loss for the Thai people and the nation.”
“She was more than a Queen — she was a mother figure who dedicated her life to the welfare of our people,” the prime minister said.
Though the Thai monarchy has remained constitutionally above politics, Queen Sirikit occasionally appeared during politically charged moments, including her attendance at the 2008 funeral of a protester, which drew attention for its perceived political symbolism.
Her passing comes at a sensitive time, as the country continues to navigate debates over the monarchy’s role in a rapidly modernising Thailand.
Despite these changing times, the Queen Mother’s legacy remains powerful. For millions of Thais, Queen Sirikit will be remembered as a symbol of compassion, strength, and unity — a matriarch whose influence shaped modern Thailand for more than half a century.
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