Thailand is in mourning following the death of Queen Mother Sirikit, a beloved figure who shaped the country’s monarchy and national identity for more than seven decades. Sirikit, who passed away at the age of 93 on October 25, 2025, at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, leaves behind a legacy of compassion, elegance, and deep commitment to her nation.
According to the Thai Royal Household Bureau, Queen Mother Sirikit had battled declining health for years, suffering a stroke in 2012 that left her largely absent from public life. She was hospitalized continuously since 2019 and developed a bloodstream infection on October 17, 2025, which ultimately led to her passing despite the best efforts of her medical team. The bureau’s statement emphasized the gravity of the loss, noting that King Maha Vajiralongkorn, her son and Thailand’s reigning monarch, has directed that she be given a funeral with the highest honors. Members of the royal family and royal servants are to observe mourning for one year, a testament to her stature and the affection in which she was held.
As news of her death spread, mourners gathered outside Chulalongkorn Hospital on Saturday morning, many visibly grief-stricken. Maneerat Laowalert, a 67-year-old Thai citizen, captured the nation’s mood, saying, “It is yet again another great loss for the whole nation. I heard about it at am. I felt like fainting. The whole world seemed like it had stopped.” The Royal Household Bureau’s announcement was met with an outpouring of sorrow and respect throughout the country.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who had been scheduled to attend the 47th ASEAN summit in Malaysia, canceled much of his appearances but made a brief trip to Kuala Lumpur to sign a crucial ceasefire agreement with Cambodia before returning to Thailand. In his statement, Anutin called Sirikit’s passing “a great loss for the country,” and announced that national flags would fly at half-mast at all government agencies for 30 days. Civil servants are to observe mourning for one year, while the general public is encouraged to wear black or dark colors for 90 days as a sign of respect. The government’s swift and coordinated response underscores the Queen Mother’s importance as a national symbol.
On October 26, 2025, a solemn procession transported Sirikit’s remains from the hospital to the throne hall inside the Grand Palace, where they will be enshrined. The miles-long convoy was flanked by outriders, with mourners bowing and police officers falling to one knee as the motorcade passed. The royal funeral rites, led by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, will last for 15 days, culminating in the opening of the palace gates to the public on November 9, 2025, allowing citizens to pay their final respects.
International leaders have also expressed their condolences. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of sympathy to King Maha Vajiralongkorn, noting, “Queen Mother Sirikit enjoys high prestige among the Thai royal family and the people. Deeply committed to China-Thailand friendship, she once visited China on behalf of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and made important contributions to promoting the special bond of ‘China and Thailand are one family.’” Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. echoed these sentiments, stating, “With heartfelt sadness, we mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand. Her kindness, grace, and warmth touched so many lives, including ours. May her soul find eternal peace, and may her legacy of love continue to inspire us.”
Sirikit’s life was marked by both privilege and public service. Born in 1932, the year Thailand transitioned from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy, she was the daughter of Thailand’s ambassador to France and grew up in a world of wealth and diplomacy. While studying music and languages in Paris, she met the young King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was then studying in Switzerland. Their initial meeting, as Sirikit once humorously recalled in a BBC documentary, was “hate at first sight,” but it soon blossomed into love. The couple married in 1950, vowing to “reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese (Thai) people.”
Throughout her life, Sirikit was celebrated for her beauty and fashion sense, captivating both the Thai public and the world’s media during state visits. At home, her portrait graced homes, offices, and public spaces across the country, and her birthday on August 12 became Thailand’s official Mother’s Day. Despite being overshadowed at times by her husband and son, Sirikit carved out her own role as a compassionate leader, particularly in the fields of social welfare and environmental conservation.
Her charitable work was extensive. She was instrumental in helping Cambodian refugees and spearheaded efforts to preserve Thailand’s forests, launching initiatives such as the Forest Loves Water and Little House in the Forest projects. In 1976, she established the SUPPORT Foundation to promote traditional Thai handcrafts, training thousands of villagers in skills like silk weaving, jewelry-making, painting, and ceramics. Sirikit also set up wildlife breeding centers and hatcheries to save endangered sea turtles, reflecting her deep concern for both people and the environment.
Sirikit’s influence extended beyond charity. During periods of political upheaval, her actions sometimes sparked debate about the monarchy’s role in Thai society. For instance, her attendance at the 2008 funeral of a protester killed during clashes with police was widely interpreted as a sign of support for one side in the country’s political schism. Yet, her popularity among rural Thais endured, fueled by her willingness to visit remote villages and listen to the concerns of ordinary citizens. “Misunderstandings arise between people in rural areas and the rich, so-called civilized people in Bangkok. People in rural Thailand say they are neglected, and we try to fill that gap by staying with them in remote areas,” she explained in a 1979 interview with The Associated Press.
Queen Sirikit’s passing marks the end of an era for Thailand. Her marriage to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for 70 years, symbolized stability and continuity during a century of profound change. Together, they had four children: King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and princesses Ubolratana, Sirindhorn, and Chulabhorn. The Queen Mother’s unwavering commitment to her people, her grace under pressure, and her efforts to bridge the gap between Thailand’s urban elite and rural poor have left an indelible mark on the nation.
As the country embarks on a year-long period of mourning, the memory of Queen Mother Sirikit will linger in the hearts of millions. Her legacy of service, compassion, and cultural preservation will continue to inspire generations of Thais long after the funeral rites have ended.
