Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit Passes Away at 93
The beloved royal, known for her elegance, charity work, and revival of Thai silk, has died following a long illness.
Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, one of the most admired figures in Thai history and a global symbol of grace and compassion, has passed away at the age of 93, the Thai Royal Household Bureau announced on Saturday.
The palace confirmed that the Queen Mother, who had been hospitalised since 2019 due to multiple health complications, developed a bloodstream infection on October 17 and died late Friday. She had been largely absent from public life since suffering a stroke in 2012.
A year-long mourning period has been declared for the royal family and household. Public offices across Thailand will fly flags at half-mast for a month, and officials have been asked to observe mourning for one year. Entertainment venues have also been urged to suspend activities for a month in tribute.
A Style Icon Who Captured Global Attention
Queen Sirikit, the wife of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thailand’s longest-reigning monarch, brought poise and glamour to the monarchy’s modern revival after World War II. Together, they became symbols of national unity and compassion, frequently travelling across the country for humanitarian initiatives.
When abroad, she captivated the world with her fashion sense and elegance. During her 1960 visit to the United States, Time magazine described her as “svelte” and “archfeminist,” while the French daily L’Aurore called her “ravishing.”
Born in 1932, the year Thailand transitioned from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy, Sirikit Kitiyakara was the daughter of Thailand’s ambassador to France. While studying music and languages in Paris, she met King Bhumibol—then a student in Switzerland.
“It was hate at first sight,” she once joked in a BBC documentary, recalling their first meeting. “Then it was love.”
The pair married in 1950 when she was 17. Throughout her reign, Sirikit was recognized for her commitment to preserving Thai culture, notably through her collaboration with French couturier Pierre Balmain. Her promotion of Thai silk revitalized the nation’s textile industry and brought global recognition to traditional craftsmanship.
A Lifetime of Service and Compassion
Queen Sirikit was not only admired for her style but also for her devotion to rural development and welfare. She accompanied the king on countless visits to remote villages, promoting sustainable projects for the poor — efforts that were broadcast nightly on Thailand’s Royal Bulletin.
In 1956, she served as regent while King Bhumibol spent time in a temple, fulfilling a Buddhist rite of passage. Her birthday, August 12, later became Mother’s Day in Thailand — a reflection of her nurturing public image.
Following King Bhumibol’s death in 2016, their son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), ascended the throne. Upon his coronation in 2019, Sirikit was formally titled Queen Mother.
Political Influence and Legacy
Though the Thai monarchy is officially above politics, Queen Sirikit occasionally took positions that influenced national discourse. In 1998, she called on Thais to unite behind then–Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, while later becoming associated with the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a royalist movement opposed to populist leader Thaksin Shinawatra.
Despite these rare political moments, she remains revered for her charitable initiatives and maternal symbolism.
On Saturday, mourners dressed in black gathered outside Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok, where Sirikit passed away.
Queen Mother Sirikit is survived by her son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and three daughters.
Her death marks the end of an era — one defined by elegance, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the Thai people.
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