Thailand’s former Queen Sirikit, mother of the reigning King Maha Vajiralongkorn and wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has died at the age of 93, the royal palace announced on Friday night.
According to a statement from the palace, the former queen passed away at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok after a period of illness. She had been hospitalised since 2019 and was recently treated for a blood infection.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described her death as “a great loss to the nation” and postponed his trip to a regional summit in Malaysia in honour of her passing.
Queen Sirikit, often called the “Mother of the Nation,” was deeply revered by Thais. Her birthday, August 12, is celebrated annually as the country’s Mother’s Day. During her 66-year marriage to King Bhumibol, she became known for her elegance, humanitarian work, and efforts to promote Thai culture, drawing comparisons in the international press to former U.S. First Lady Jackie Kennedy.
Following her death, King Vajiralongkorn declared a year-long mourning period. Television anchors appeared in black as the nation began official mourning ceremonies. Her body will lie in state at the Grand Palace’s Dusit Thorne Hall in Bangkok.
Sirikit’s death marks the end of an era closely tied to Thailand’s modern history. Together with King Bhumibol, she symbolized stability and unity during decades of political change. Many Thais took to the streets to pay tribute, describing her as a loving maternal figure whose legacy will continue to shape the nation.
