Thailand’s Queen Mother, Queen Sirikit, has died at the age of 93, the Royal Household Bureau announced on Friday.
The palace confirmed that she passed away at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok at 21:21 local time (16:21 SAST) on 24 October 2025.
According to The Guardian, Queen Sirikit had been hospitalised since 2019 and developed a bloodstream infection on 17 October before her death. A one-year mourning period has been declared for the royal family and officials, while the public will observe 90 days of mourning.
Born Sirikit Kitiyakara on 12 August 1932 in Bangkok, she was the daughter of Prince Nakkhatra Mangala Kitiyakara, a Thai diplomat who served as ambassador to France.
During her father’s posting in Paris, she met Bhumibol Adulyadej, the young Thai king studying in Switzerland. The two married in April 1950, just days before his coronation, making her Queen Consort of Thailand.
For more than six decades, Queen Sirikit was a central figure in Thailand’s modern monarchy.
As the consort of King Bhumibol — the country’s longest-reigning monarch — she travelled widely across Thailand, supporting rural development, education, and healthcare.
Her commitment to promoting Thai culture also earned her admiration abroad. She famously worked with French designer Pierre Balmain to create elegant outfits using Thai silk, which helped revive the country’s textile industry.
In 1956, when the king temporarily ordained as a Buddhist monk — a traditional rite of passage for Thai men — Queen Sirikit served as Regent, making her only the second woman in Thai history to hold that role. Her birthday, 12 August, was later declared Thailand’s national Mother’s Day.
Queen Sirikit’s later years were marked by health issues. She suffered a stroke in 2012 and subsequently withdrew from public life. The Royal Household Bureau reported that her condition had remained fragile for several years before her death .
Her son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, also known as Rama X, ascended the throne following King Bhumibol’s death in 2016. Upon his coronation in 2019, Sirikit’s title was formally changed to Queen Mother.
International leaders have extended condolences following her passing. The United States Department of State issued a statement calling Queen Sirikit “a true cultural bridge between our two great nations and peoples,” noting her lifelong appreciation for Thai culture and natural beauty .
Queen Sirikit will be remembered for her long public service and her role in shaping Thailand’s modern royal image.
Flags across the country have been ordered to fly at half-mast for 30 days. Details of her state funeral are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
