Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, Revered Royal and Global Style Icon, Passes Away at 93

Bangkok, October 25 Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, a beloved figure who brought elegance, grace, and modern sophistication to the Thai monarchy, passed away at the age of 93, the Royal Household Bureau announced on Saturday. The Queen Mother, who had largely withdrawn from public life after suffering a stroke in 2012, had been hospitalized since 2019 due to ongoing health complications. Officials said she developed a bloodstream infection on October 17 and passed away late Friday night. A year-long mourning period has been declared for members of the royal family and household. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has cancelled his trip to the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia to oversee arrangements for the royal funeral. The cabinet is scheduled to meet to finalize plans for what is expected to be a grand and solemn ceremony honoring the life and legacy of one of Thailand’s most influential royals. Born in 1932 into a distinguished diplomatic family, Sirikit Kitiyakara was the daughter of Thailand’s ambassador to France. She met the young King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Paris while studying music and languages, and though she once described their first encounter as “hate at first sight,” love soon followed. The couple became engaged in 1949 and married in Thailand a year later, when she was just 17. Their partnership would become one of the most enduring symbols of Thailand’s modern monarchy. Throughout her life, Queen Sirikit played a central role alongside King Bhumibol, who reigned for 70 years and remains Thailand’s longest-serving monarch. Together, they captured the hearts of the Thai people through extensive charitable work and development initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the rural poor. The Queen Mother frequently accompanied the King on visits to remote villages, promoting education, healthcare, and agricultural development—efforts that were televised nightly across the nation. Beyond her charitable endeavors, Sirikit became a global style icon. Her charm, poise, and fashion sense captivated the world during royal tours in the 1950s and 1960s. During a 1960 visit to the United States, Time magazine described her as “svelte” and “archfeminist,” while French media called her “ravishing.” She often collaborated with famed French designer Pierre Balmain, incorporating traditional Thai silk into her wardrobe and revitalizing Thailand’s textile industry. Her advocacy for preserving local weaving traditions turned her into both a cultural ambassador and a champion of Thai craftsmanship. Queen Sirikit’s influence extended beyond fashion and philanthropy. She briefly served as regent in 1956 when King Bhumibol entered a monastery, a customary Buddhist rite of passage. Her birthday, August 12, was declared Thailand’s Mother’s Day in 1976, further solidifying her image as a national maternal figure. While Thailand’s monarchy traditionally remains above politics, Queen Sirikit occasionally made statements that shaped the nation’s political climate. In 1998, she publicly called for unity behind then–Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, a move seen as politically significant. Later, her perceived support for the royalist People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) linked her to protests that contributed to the downfall of pro-Thaksin governments in the 2000s. Her appearance at a PAD protester’s funeral in 2008 was widely viewed as a subtle endorsement of the movement. Despite these controversies, Queen Sirikit remained deeply revered among Thais for her humanitarian work, cultural patronage, and embodiment of maternal virtue. Her death marks the end of an era for Thailand’s royal family. She is survived by her only son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, known as Rama X, and three daughters. Her passing will be observed with deep reverence in a nation where the monarchy remains an enduring pillar of unity and devotion. Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit Passes Away at 93 Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, revered for her grace, compassion, and timeless style, has passed away at the age of 93. The Royal Household Bureau confirmed she died following a long illness, marking the end of an era in Thai history. Known for her humanitarian work and efforts to uplift rural communities, she also revived Thailand’s silk industry and became a global fashion icon. Queen Sirikit’s deep devotion to her people and her partnership with the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej earned her lasting admiration. A year-long royal mourning period has been declared in her honor.