Thailand is mourning the death of Queen Mother Sirikit - the revered widow of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and mother of current King Maha Vajiralongkorn - who passed away on Friday night at Chulalongkorn Hospital at the age of 93.
The Royal Household Bureau confirmed that Sirikit “passed away peacefully” at 9:21 p.m. local time (14:21 GMT) after battling multiple illnesses, including a recent blood infection.
Her death marks the end of an era for Thailand, as Sirikit had been a cherished symbol of stability and compassion during the reign of her husband, Thailand’s longest-serving monarch.
National mourning declared
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has cancelled his trip to the ASEAN summit in Malaysia to attend royal funeral arrangements. The cabinet convened on Saturday to plan the ceremonies.
Her body will lie in state at the Grand Palace’s Dusit Thorne Hall in Bangkok, where members of the royal family and the public will pay their respects.
King Vajiralongkorn has decreed a one-year official mourning period for the royal family and royal servants, reflecting the deep affection Thais held for their Queen Mother.
Born in 1932, Sirikit Kitiyakara met her future husband, King Bhumibol, while studying in Paris, where her father served as Thailand’s ambassador. They married in April 1950, just a week before the king’s coronation.
The royal couple became Thailand’s most admired figures, representing unity and modernity. Together, they toured globally, meeting world leaders including US President Dwight Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth II, and even Elvis Presley in the 1960s.
Often celebrated as an icon of elegance, Sirikit appeared on international “best dressed” lists and was admired for her poise and devotion to public service.
“Mother of the nation”
Sirikit’s birthday, 12 August, has been celebrated as Mother’s Day in Thailand since 1976 — a testament to her symbolic role as the “Mother of the Nation.”
In a rare 1980 BBC interview, she said, “Kings and queens of Thailand have always been in close contact with the people... we are considered the father and mother of the nation.”
Her deep connection with the people, charitable work, and patronage of rural development and handicrafts endeared her to millions across Thailand.
Health struggles and final years
Queen Sirikit suffered a stroke in 2012, after which she made few public appearances. She was hospitalised in September 2019 and had been receiving long-term medical care since.
Despite her health issues, her influence and image remained deeply rooted in Thai culture, with portraits of her displayed prominently in homes and public spaces.
Sirikit’s passing closes a chapter in Thailand’s modern monarchy that defined much of the nation’s identity throughout the 20th century.
Even amid political unrest and calls for reform, respect for the late King and Queen Mother remained largely untouched, underscoring their enduring moral authority.
Her legacy — one of dignity, maternal love, and devotion to the Thai people — continues to resonate as Thailand enters a new era under King Vajiralongkorn.
PM Sharif expresses grief
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, extended his deepest condolences to the Royal Family and people of Thailand over the passing of Her Majesty Queen Mother Sirikit.
In his message of condolence, the Prime Minister expressed his profound grief and heartfelt sympathy to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the entire Royal Family, and the government of Thailand.
"Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed that the best wishes of the Pakistani government and people are with the Thai people in this hour of sorrow," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office read.
He further conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the Thai nation as they mourn the loss of their former Queen, who was the wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and widely regarded as the "mother of the nation."
