Thailand's Queen Sirikit dies: mourning and temple closures!

Thailand's Queen Sirikit dies: mourning and temple closures!

The news of the death of Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit has plunged the country into deep mourning. The popular monarch died on October 24, 2025, shortly after her 93rd birthday, at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok. She lost the battle against complications of a blood infection that had plagued her since October 17, 2025. Sirikit has been largely withdrawn from public life since the death of her husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in 2016, but her memory remains alive in the hearts of the Thai people. According to reporting by CNN Her popularity among Thais continued unabated, as evidenced by the many portraits that can be seen in households and public spaces.

Part of the mourning for Queen Mother Sirikit also has consequences for tourism in Bangkok. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo) will remain closed until November 8, 2025 to pay their last respects to the deceased. Loud About Travel Some tour operators are offering alternative options for tourists who continue to travel to Thailand. To accommodate the circumstances, travelers are asked to dress modestly and avoid bright colors when visiting temples and royal sites.

The legacy of Sirikit

Queen Sirikit was known for her tireless commitment to social projects. From supporting rural communities to preserving traditional crafts, she has launched numerous initiatives that have improved the lives of many Thais. For example, her commitment to Cambodian refugees or her efforts to protect forests demonstrate her deep sense of responsibility for society. In 1976, she founded the SUPPORT Foundation, which helped thousands of villagers to be trained in traditional crafts. Her desire to serve as an institutional support for the monarchy was timeless and has ingrained itself in the hearts of many Thais.

Born on August 12, 1932, Sirikit had an interesting childhood spent in a wealthy, aristocratic family. She had her first contact with the monarchy when she met the future King Bhumibol in Paris at the age of 16. The two married in 1950 and vowed to rule for the good of the Thai people. Her royal role included not only representative duty but also active participation in social issues, making her one of Thailand's most esteemed figures. However, as the political turmoil in Thailand increased, their position has come under increasing scrutiny in recent decades, but this has not diminished their ambition to fight for the people of Thailand.

Mourning and remembrance

The Thai government has officially declared a one-year mourning period for government officials and a 90-day mourning period for the public. Flags across Thailand were also flown at half-mast for 30 days. Many citizens took to the streets to express their grief and honor the memory of the late Queen Mother. The loss of Sirikit is not only a loss for the family, but for the entire country, which comes together in these hours of remembrance. The grief for Sirikit will live on not only in people's hearts, but also through its lasting mark on Thai society.