Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit Passes Away at 93, Leaving a Legacy of Grace and Service

Queen Mother Sirikit of Thailand, one of the country’s most revered royal figures and widow of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, passed away at the age of 93, the Royal Household Bureau confirmed on October 24. She had been hospitalised in Bangkok due to a bloodstream infection following years of frail health since suffering a stroke in 2012.

Born Sirikit Kitiyakara on August 12, 1932, in Bangkok, she came from an aristocratic family and met King Bhumibol while studying in Paris. The couple married in 1950, shortly before his coronation as King Rama IX. For more than six decades, Sirikit was a constant companion to the monarch, embodying poise, loyalty, and public service.

Throughout her life, Queen Sirikit championed humanitarian causes and cultural preservation. She founded numerous charitable organisations aimed at improving rural livelihoods, promoting traditional Thai handicrafts, and protecting the environment. Her efforts to revive Thai silk and handicraft industries played a key role in uplifting rural women and preserving national identity.

Her birthday, August 12, is celebrated as Mother’s Day across Thailand — a reflection of her title as the “Mother of the Nation.” She also briefly served as Queen Regent in 1956 when King Bhumibol entered a monastery, underscoring her trusted role within the royal institution.

Sirikit’s influence extended beyond royal ceremonies; she was regarded as a unifying figure during turbulent political times. Her passing has prompted a year-long national mourning period, with flags flying at half-mast and tributes pouring in from across the country.

While her personal fortune remains undisclosed, the Thai monarchy’s assets are among the world’s largest. Queen Sirikit leaves behind a powerful legacy of compassion, cultural pride, and enduring devotion to the Thai people.