Thailand’s former Queen Sirikit, the beloved mother of King Vajiralongkorn and wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died at age 93 in a Bangkok hospital on October 24, 2025. Her passing, after a long illness, has plunged the nation into mourning and marks a significant moment in Thai history.
Queen Sirikit passed away peacefully at 21:21 local time on Friday in Chulalongkorn Hospital, according to an official statement from the Thai Royal Household Bureau. She had been receiving medical care at the hospital since 2019 and recently battled a blood infection that exacerbated her condition. The palace noted that despite efforts by her medical team, her health deteriorated until her death. King Vajiralongkorn has directed the bureau to organize a royal funeral, and her body will be enshrined in the Grand Palace’s Dusit Thorne Hall.
Sirikit was married to King Bhumibol Adulyadej for over six decades, until his death in 2016, making her a central figure in the Thai monarchy. As the queen consort, she was often regarded as a maternal symbol for the country, with her August 12 birthday officially recognized as Mother’s Day since 1976. This role reinforced her image as a unifying force in Thai society, even during times of political unrest.
The queen’s early life began in Bangkok in 1932, the year Thailand transitioned to a constitutional monarchy. She met the future king in 1948 in Paris, where her father was the Thai ambassador, and she was studying music and languages. Their marriage on April 28, 1950, preceded Bhumibol’s coronation as Rama IX, and they had four children together, including the current king.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Sirikit and Bhumibol embarked on numerous international tours, strengthening diplomatic ties and showcasing Thai culture. She became a global fashion icon, admired for her elegance and frequently featured in international media for her style. These travels included meetings with prominent figures such as US President Dwight Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth II, and entertainer Elvis Presley, enhancing Thailand’s profile on the world stage.
Beyond her public persona, Sirikit was actively involved in philanthropy, overseeing royal projects aimed at improving rural livelihoods, preserving traditional arts, and addressing social issues like poverty and drug addiction. In a 1979 interview, she emphasized the monarchy’s duty to bridge gaps between urban and rural communities, reflecting her commitment to national development. Her charitable work was regularly broadcast, deepening public affection for the royal family.
In her later years, Sirikit’s health issues, including a stroke in 2012, limited her public appearances, and she spent much of her time in hospital care from 2019 onward. Despite this, she remained a respected figure, and her occasional public acts, such as attending the funeral of a royalist protester in 2008, highlighted her political influence during periods of division in Thailand.
The announcement of her death has triggered a period of national mourning, with the royal family observing a one-year official mourning period. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul canceled his attendance at an ASEAN summit to oversee funeral arrangements, underscoring the event’s significance. The public response mirrors the grief seen after King Bhumibol’s death, with many Thais expected to participate in mourning rituals, reaffirming the deep cultural reverence for the monarchy.