Her Majesty Queen Sirikit passes away at 93

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Queen Mother passes away




King declares one-year mourning period

October 25, 2025

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother passed away peacefully at 9.21pm on Friday at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, the Bureau of the Royal Household announced.

The bureau said in a statement that a team of doctors monitoring and treating Her Majesty's health at the hospital since Sept 7, 2019, found she had several illnesses and abnormalities in multiple systems that required ongoing medical care.

According to physicians, the Queen developed a bloodstream infection on Oct 17, and despite efforts to treat her, her condition gradually deteriorated. She passed away peacefully at 9.21pm on Friday at the age of 93.

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has instructed the bureau to arrange Her Majesty's royal funeral with the highest honours according to royal tradition. Her remains will be enshrined at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace, Bangkok.

His Majesty has decreed a one-year mourning period for the Royal Family and Royal Court officials from the date of her passing.

Her Majesty The Queen Mother was born in Bangkok on Aug 12, 1932, as MR Sirikit Kitiyakara, daughter of Prince Nakkhatra Mangala and ML Bua Kitiyakara.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great (Rama IX) became engaged to her abroad. They married in Bangkok on April 28, 1950, when she was granted the title of Her Majesty the Queen. She was elevated to full Queen on his coronation day, May 5, 1950.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... asses-away
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Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother Has Passed Away at 93

By Khaosod English

October 25, 2025

The Bureau of the Royal Household announced Friday night that Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother passed away peacefully at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital at 9.21 p.m. on October 24, 2025. She was 93 years old.

The announcement stated: “Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother had been residing at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, since September 7, 2019. The medical team was monitoring various bodily systems.

During her stay, Her Majesty fell ill several times as doctors discovered abnormalities requiring continuous treatment.

Since October 17, 2025, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother fell ill from sepsis (bloodstream infection). Although the medical team provided treatment to the best of their ability, Her condition gradually deteriorated.

On Friday, October 24, 2025, at 21:21 hours, She passed away peacefully at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, at the age of 93.

His Majesty the King has issued a Royal Command for the Bureau of the Royal Household to arrange the Royal Funeral with the highest honors according to royal tradition. The Royal Body will lie in state at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace. His Majesty has graciously granted permission for members of the Royal Family and royal servants to observe mourning for a period of one year from the date of passing.”

A Life of Service and Dedication

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit was born on Friday, August 12, 1932, in Bangkok, just months after Thailand transitioned from absolute monarchy to constitutional democracy. She was the eldest daughter of Prince Nakkhatra Mangala Kitiyakara and Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara. Her name “Sirikit,” meaning “Glory of Kitiyakara,” was bestowed by Queen Rambhai Barni, consort of King Rama VII.

Her early education began at Rajini School in 1936, but when World War II reached Thailand and Bangkok faced frequent air raids, she transferred to St. Francis Xavier Convent School on Samsen Road in 1940. There she studied piano and harbored dreams of becoming a renowned concert pianist.

After the war ended in 1946, her father was appointed Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and the family relocated to London. She had just completed her third year of secondary school at St. Francis Xavier Convent. In England, she continued studying piano, English, and French with private tutors, preparing to audition for the prestigious Paris Conservatory.

Royal Romance

In 1948, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, then visiting automobile factories in Paris, became acquainted with her family. When the King was injured in a car accident in Switzerland and hospitalized, Mom Luang Bua regularly brought her daughters, Mom Rajawongse Sirikit and Mom Rajawongse Busba, to visit him during his recovery.

A year later, Queen Mother Sangwan requested Mom Rajawongse Sirikit’s hand in marriage on behalf of the King. A private engagement ceremony was held on July 19, 1949. She continued her studies until returning to Thailand for the cremation of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) in March 1950.

On April 28, 1950, the royal wedding ceremony took place at Srapathum Palace. King Rama IX elevated Mom Rajawongse Sirikit to Queen Sirikit. On May 5 of that year, during the King’s coronation ceremony, she was further elevated to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.

The Royal Family

Their Majesties had four children: Princess Ubolratana, born in Lausanne, Switzerland; Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, now His Majesty King Rama X; Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn; and Princess Chulabhorn Walailak.

In 1956, when King Bhumibol entered the Buddhist monkhood following ancient royal tradition, Queen Sirikit served as Regent in his absence. Upon his return, he elevated her title to Queen Sirikit The Queen Consort, meaning “refuge of the people.” She became only the second Queen Consort in Thai history to hold this title, after Queen Sri Bajarindra during the reign of King Rama V, who served as regent when that monarch visited Europe.

Legacy of Royal Projects

Throughout her life, Her Majesty carried out numerous royal duties both as Queen Consort of Thailand and as companion to King Rama IX, shouldering countless responsibilities and initiating new projects to help the Thai people and develop the nation.

Her royal projects have brought immense benefits to Thai citizens to this day, including forest conservation initiatives—about which she once said, “His Majesty is the water, I am the forest”—cultural preservation programs focusing on Thai silk and classical khon dance, and numerous other endeavors that transformed the lives of millions of Thais.

In 1976, the Thai government honored the Queen by declaring her birthday a national holiday. Her birthday continues to be celebrated on August 12 each year as a day of national significance.

Thailand now mourns the loss of a beloved Queen Mother who dedicated her life to serving the Thai people for more than seven decades.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured ... way-at-93/

See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirikit

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National mourning periods announced

Public urged to wear black for 90 days in memory of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother

October 25, 2025

The Thai government has announced mourning periods for the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, starting with a royal funeral procession and public tribute ceremony scheduled on Sunday.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced a cabinet resolution regarding the national morning period starting on Saturday for Her Majesty Queen Mother, who passed away peacefully on Friday night.

All government offices, state enterprises, public agencies and educational institutions were instructed to lower the national flag to half-mast for 30 days.

Civil servants, state employees and government officials are to wear mourning attire for a period of one year.

The general public is urged to act in accordance with what is appropriate, Mr Anutin said. Entertainment venues and service businesses are requested to suspend or reduce entertainment activities for 30 days.

As for pre-planned activities, organisers should adjust formats to ensure appropriateness in line with public sentiment, according to the government.

Two concerts by the K-pop supergroup Blackpink at Rajamangala National Stadium will go ahead on Saturday and Sunday evening, but organisers BEC Tero have asked concertgoers to wear black.

The prime minister asked people to cooperate in wearing black or non-vibrant tones for a period of 90 days, if possible. The request reflects the deep gratitude for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s benevolence to Thailand over more than 70 years.

A royal funeral procession will start at 4pm on Sunday. It will depart from Chulalongkorn Hospital, turning left onto Henri Dunant Road, then right onto Rama IV Road. At the Sam Yan intersection, it will turn right onto Phaya Thai Road, then left at the Phaya Thai intersection onto Si Ayutthaya Road.

The 10-kilometre route will pass 901 Land and Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram, before turning left onto Ratchadamnoen Road toward the Grand Palace.

Members of the public can offer ceremonial water in tribute before the royal portrait on Sunday, from 8am to 12pm, at the Sala Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion, Grand Palace.

The Office of the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office will appoint a Royal Funeral Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Anutin. The Permanent Secretary will serve as the committee secretary.

Members of the Royal Family will be invited to serve as advisers. Government agencies are instructed to assign officials to attend daily chanting ceremonies for 100 consecutive days.

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has decreed a one-year mourning period for the Royal Family and Royal Court officials from the date of his mother’s passing. Her remains will be enshrined at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the palace.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -announced

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Visiting Thailand during the mourning period? Here’s what will and won’t change for travellers

by Craig Saueurs, Euro News

October 29, 2025

Although much of the country will wear mourning attire, tourists are not expected to do the same.

Thailand has entered a period of national mourning following the death of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, who passed away on 24 October at the age of 93.

Sometimes referred to as the Mother of the Nation, Queen Sirikit was known for her decades-long efforts to promote Thai culture, traditional crafts and rural development.

Her passing marks a significant moment for Thailand, but Thai officials have made it clear that the country remains open and welcoming to visitors.

Here is what travellers planning a Thailand holiday need to know before they go.

What changes during the mourning period?

Following Queen Sirikit’s death, the Thai government declared an official period of mourning.

National flags will be flown at half-mast for 30 days while government officials and civil servants will wear black mourning attire for one year.

The public is encouraged to wear black, white or subdued colours for 90 days, but this is not an official regulation.

Travellers are likely to notice this most in Bangkok and at major cultural or royal sites, where portraits of the Queen Mother are displayed with flowers and candles. Outside these areas, life will likely continue as normal, and tourism remains unaffected.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has confirmed that hotels, attractions, restaurants and transport services are all operating as usual.

These observances are similar to those that followed the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej – Thailand’s longest-reigning monarch – in 2016. Then, as now, tourism remained a vital part of the economy and international visitors were welcomed.

Are events and festivals cancelled?

Most festivals, concerts and public events will still take place.

In Bangkok, many parties and events scheduled for Halloween are due to continue as scheduled, suggesting that future events will go ahead as well. Some, however, might be adjusted to reflect the national mood.

Fireworks and parades for upcoming events such as New Year’s Eve may be scaled back, and organisers may include moments of silence or candle-lighting ceremonies. That’s mostly true for Bangkok. The rest of the country is unlikely to be as affected.

In Bangkok, the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew are closed to visitors from 26 October to 8 November to accommodate royal ceremonies. Other closures may occur later in the mourning period, especially closer to the Queen Mother’s funeral next year. Travellers are advised to check local schedules before visiting.

Traditional Thai holidays are also largely unchanged.

Loy Krathong, celebrated nationwide on 5 November this year, will largely go ahead as planned, although some festivities have been toned down or cancelled.

In Chiang Mai, where the holiday is known as Yi Peng and sees thousands of candle-lit lanterns floated into the night sky, the festivities are expected to continue.

How to be a respectful visitor

TAT officials have reiterated that tourists are not expected to wear black throughout their trip, but subdued colours are appreciated – especially when visiting temples, royal sites or government offices. White, also considered a mourning colour, is just as acceptable.

For those who wish to show respect, black ribbons that can be pinned to shirts and blouses are widely available.

Although visitors are not required to buy new clothing, they should continue to dress respectfully. Walking around shirtless is frowned upon in Bangkok, and even in beach destinations, it is considered impolite to enter restaurants, shops or cafés without covering up – both recurring issues in warm-weather destinations around the world.

There are no restrictions on nightlife or alcohol sales, but excessive noise remains unwelcome in most of the country, especially outside of entertainment zones.

When passing memorials or portraits of the Queen Mother, officials also advise lowering your voice or pausing briefly, especially if others are paying their respects.

Overall, while the atmosphere around temples and some cultural sites may feel quieter and more reflective, Thailand’s tourism industry won’t stop. Travellers can continue to enjoy the sun-kissed beaches, beloved cuisine and wild nature as usual.

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2025/10 ... -traveller