The Kingdom of Thailand entered a year-long period of mourning on Friday night following the passing of Queen Mother Sirikit, who died peacefully at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok at 9:21 p.m. on Oct. 24. She was 93 years old.
The Bureau of the Royal Household announced that Queen Sirikit had been under continuous medical care at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, since September 7, 2019, where doctors closely monitored her condition.
The statement said that on October 17, 2025, the Queen Mother developed sepsis (a bloodstream infection), and despite the best efforts of her medical team, her condition gradually deteriorated until her peaceful passing on Friday night.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has issued a royal command for the Bureau of the Royal Household to organize the royal funeral with the highest honors according to royal tradition. The remains will lie in state at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.
The King has decreed that members of the royal family, royal officials, and citizens observe a one-year mourning period beginning from the date of Queen Sirikit’s passing.
A Life of Grace and Service
Born on August 12, 1932, in Bangkok, Queen Sirikit was the eldest daughter of Prince Nakkhatra Mangala Kitiyakara and Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara. Her name, Sirikit — meaning “Glory of Kitiyakara” — was bestowed by Queen Rambhai Barni, consort of King Rama VII. Her birth came just months after Thailand’s transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional democracy.
During World War II, as air raids on Bangkok intensified, her parents transferred her from a city school to St. Francis Xavier Convent, a Catholic school run by the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, then located outside the city center. There, she developed a love for music and dreamed of becoming a concert pianist.
After the war, her father was appointed ambassador to the United Kingdom, and the family moved to London. Continuing her studies in England and France, she studied piano, English, and French with private tutors and aspired to enter the Paris Conservatory.
A Royal Love Story
In 1948, while King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) was visiting automobile factories in Paris, he met the Kitiyakara family. The acquaintance deepened when the King was hospitalized in Switzerland following a car accident; her mother, Mom Luang Bua, often brought her daughters, Sirikit and Busb,a to visit him.
A year later, Queen Mother Sangwan requested Mom Rajawongse Sirikit’s hand in marriage on behalf of the King. Their private engagement ceremony was held on July 19, 1949. She later returned to Thailand for the cremation of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) in March 1950.
On April 28, 1950, the royal wedding was held at Srapathum Palace in Bangkok, and the King conferred upon her the title Queen Sirikit. A few days later, during the King’s coronation on May 5, she was formally elevated to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.
They had four children:
- Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, born in Lausanne, Switzerland;
- Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, now King Rama X;
- Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn; and
- Princess Chulabhorn Walailak.
In 1956, when King Bhumibol entered the monkhood according to royal tradition, Queen Sirikit served as regent, becoming only the second queen in Thai history to assume this responsibility after Queen Sri Bajarindra in the reign of King Rama V. Upon his return, King Bhumibol bestowed upon her the title Queen Consort, meaning “Refuge of the People.”
Dedication to the Nation
Throughout her lifetime, Queen Sirikit was a steadfast companion to King Rama IX, accompanying him on countless royal missions and initiating numerous projects for the welfare and development of the Thai people.
Her legacy lives on through the Queen Sirikit Foundation for Forest Conservation, which she described through her famous saying: “His Majesty is the water, I am the forest.” She also championed Thai silk craftsmanship, cultural preservation, and traditional arts — particularly khon classical dance — helping revive and sustain Thai heritage for future generations.
In 1976, the Thai government declared August 12, her birthday, a national holiday to honor her contributions. The day remains celebrated nationwide as Mother’s Day, symbolizing the nation’s gratitude and love for the Queen Mother.
Catholic Community Offers Prayers
Speaking to LiCAS News, Fr. Joseph Anucha Chaiyadej, secretary-general of the Office of Social Communication of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT), said that while the Church awaits an official statement from the CBCT, all parishes across the country will include special prayers for the repose of Queen Sirikit’s soul during Sunday Masses.
“There will certainly be solemn Requiem Masses celebrated in all dioceses as part of the national mourning,” Fr. Anucha said. “The Eucharistic liturgy will be offered in thanksgiving for her life and to pray for the repose of her soul.”
As the nation mourns, the Queen Mother will be remembered not only as the beloved consort of King Bhumibol Adulyadej but also as a mother to the Thai nation, whose compassion, grace, and dedication touched generations of Thais.
