Bangkok, Thailand: Thailand’s former Queen Sirikit, wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and mother of the current monarch King Vajiralongkorn, has died at the age of 93, the royal palace announced late on Friday.
The palace said the former queen had been hospitalised since 2019 and had “suffered several illnesses,” including a recent blood infection.
“Her Majesty’s condition worsened until Friday and she passed away … at Chulalongkorn Hospital at age 93,” the statement said.
A revered matriarch
Sirikit, who spent 66 years alongside King Bhumibol — Thailand’s longest-reigning monarch — was widely admired as both a style icon and a symbol of compassion. Western media once compared her to former US First Lady Jackie Kennedy, highlighting her elegant diplomacy and humanitarian work.
“The flight of time could not diminish her aura,” said 53-year-old Bangkok resident Sasis Putthasit. “I feel sad because she was a mother figure to the country, and now she’s gone.”
The palace said King Vajiralongkorn has ordered members of the royal family to lead a year-long mourning period. Television anchors across Thailand appeared in black on Saturday, signalling the start of national mourning.
Her passing “marks a profoundly significant event for the Thai Royal Family and the entire nation, given her immense popularity and deep connection to the late king who remains deeply revered,” said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a former Thai diplomat and academic.
Messages of condolence
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari expressed “deep sorrow” at the news and extended condolences to King Vajiralongkorn, the royal family, and the people of Thailand. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was “deeply saddened,” adding, “The people and government of Pakistan join me in extending our deepest condolences … Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time of national grief.”
‘Mother of the Nation’
Queen Sirikit’s life spanned eras of transformation. During her husband’s reign — from 1946 to 2016 — she travelled widely, meeting global leaders and celebrities such as Elvis Presley while championing rural development and women’s welfare at home.
Her birthday was officially declared Thailand’s Mother’s Day, and she was affectionately known as the “Mother of the Nation.”
Legacy and reflection
While Thailand’s monarchy remains deeply respected, recent years have seen growing calls for reform, particularly during youth-led protests in 2020 that broke taboos by demanding changes to royal power.
When King Bhumibol died in 2016, Thailand entered a year-long mourning period marked by national grief, black attire, and the suspension of public celebrations.
Queen Sirikit’s body will lie in state at the Grand Palace’s Dusit Thorne Hall in Bangkok, where mourners are expected to pay their respects in the coming days.
