Thailand’s former queen, Sirikit, has passed away at the age of 93, ending a life that spanned decades of public service and influence. She died "peacefully" on Friday evening at 21:21 local time (14:21 GMT) in a Bangkok hospital, according to the Thai Royal Household Bureau.
The statement said she had been in poor health since 2019 and had recently suffered a blood infection.
Queen Sirikit was married to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thailand’s longest-reigning monarch, from 1950 until his death in 2016. Following her death, King Vajiralongkorn directed the royal household to arrange a state funeral.
Her body will be placed on display at the Grand Palace’s Dusit Thorne Hall in Bangkok, while the royal family will observe a year of mourning.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul canceled his trip to the Asean summit in Malaysia in light of the queen’s passing.
Sirikit first encountered her future husband while studying music in Paris, where her father served as Thailand’s ambassador to France.
Reflecting on their first meeting in a 1980 BBC documentary, she said, "It was hate at first sight. Because he said he would arrive at four o'clock in the afternoon.
He arrived at seven o'clock, kept me standing there, practising curtsy and curtsy." They were married on 28 April 1950, just days before King Bhumibol’s coronation.
Throughout the 1960s, the queen traveled widely, representing Thailand and meeting international figures such as US President Dwight Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth II, and Elvis Presley. She was also recognized globally for her style, appearing regularly on best-dressed lists.
In the same BBC interview, she described the Thai monarchy’s connection with its people: "Kings and queens of Thailand have always been in close contact with the people and they usually regard the king as the father of the nation. That is why we do not have much private life, because we are considered father and mother of the nation."
Queen Sirikit was regarded as a motherly figure for the nation. Since 1976, her birthday on 12 August has been celebrated as Mother’s Day. She also participated in national events, including the 2008 funeral of an anti-government protester killed in clashes with police.
After suffering a stroke in 2012, the queen largely withdrew from public life. She is survived by her son, King Vajiralongkorn, and three daughters.
