Thailand’s Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother and one of the nation’s most revered figures, passed away late Friday in Bangkok at the age of 93 after suffering from sepsis, the Bureau of the Royal Household announced.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn has ordered a royal funeral with the highest honors and decreed a one-year mourning period for members of the royal family and royal household staff. The Queen Mother’s body will lie in state at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace, where the public will be allowed to pay their respects.
Queen Sirikit was the widow of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for more than 70 years until his death in 2016. The royal couple were deeply cherished across Thailand, with their portraits prominently displayed in homes, offices, temples, and public spaces nationwide.
According to the palace, Queen Sirikit had been receiving continuous treatment at Chulalongkorn Hospital since 2019 for multiple health issues. Her condition worsened after she developed a bloodstream infection on October 17. Despite ongoing medical care, she succumbed to the illness late Friday.
Between April and September 2019, the royal household had previously disclosed that the Queen Mother was treated for recurring infections of the urinary and respiratory tracts.
Her passing marks the end of an era for many Thais who grew up under the reign of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, whose decades of public service and dedication to the country left an enduring legacy of loyalty and compassion.
