Thailand has lost a significant figure in its royal history, as Queen Mother Sirikit died at the age of 93. The Thai Royal Household Bureau confirmed her passing on Saturday, following a long period of declining health. Sirikit had been hospitalized since 2019 and developed a bloodstream infection on October 17 before her death late on Friday.
A period of mourning lasting one year has been declared for the royal family and the household. The government announced that flags at public offices will fly at half-mast for one month, with officials expected to observe the mourning period for one year. In light of the Queen Mother’s death, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul cancelled his trip to the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, although he plans to return to Thailand after signing a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia this weekend.
Legacy of Elegance and Charity
Sirikit, born in 1932, was the daughter of Thailand’s ambassador to France and grew up in a world of privilege. She married King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thailand’s longest-reigning monarch, in 1950. Together, they became a beloved couple, known for their charitable work and for representing Thailand on the global stage.
Her fashion sense and beauty captivated international media, with notable mentions from Time magazine and the French daily L’Aurore during her 1960 visit to the United States. Sirikit collaborated with French designer Pierre Balmain to create stunning outfits from Thai silk, contributing to a revival of the nation’s silk industry.
For over four decades, she actively promoted rural development through various projects, often traveling with her husband to remote villages. Her initiatives aimed to uplift the rural poor were featured nightly on Thailand’s Royal Bulletin. In 1956, she briefly served as regent while the king engaged in Buddhist monk training, becoming a symbol of maternal virtue and dedication to the Thai people.
Political Influence and Public Response
While the Thai monarchy traditionally maintains a neutral stance in political matters, Sirikit occasionally ventured into the political realm. In 1998, during her birthday address, she urged citizens to unite behind then-Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, significantly impacting opposition efforts at the time. She later became associated with the royalist People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which protested against governments aligned with populist leader Thaksin Shinawatra.
Her death prompted an outpouring of grief across Thailand, with many citizens gathering outside Chulalongkorn Hospital, where she passed away. One mourner, 67-year-old Maneenat Laowalert, expressed her sorrow, saying, “When I learned the news, my world stopped, and I had flashes from the past of all the things that Her Majesty has done for us.”
As the nation reflects on Sirikit’s life and contributions, her legacy as a style icon and advocate for the Thai people will endure. The government has requested that the private sector adjust scheduled festive events to observe the national mourning period. Notably, the K-pop group Blackpink, which features a Thai member, will proceed with concerts this weekend, asking attendees to wear black and white as a sign of respect.
Queen Mother Sirikit is survived by her son, the current King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and three daughters. Her passing marks the end of an era for Thailand, a country where reverence for the royal family remains deeply ingrained in societal norms.
