Mourning for Queen Sirikit: Thailand faces succession crisis!

Mourning for Queen Sirikit: Thailand faces succession crisis!

A great loss for the Thai monarchy: Queen Sirikit, the world's longest-serving royal consort, died on October 24, 2025 at the Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok at the age of 93. She succumbed to blood poisoning and left behind an intact but uncertain succession to the throne. King Maha Vajiralongkorn ordered a year of national mourning, while the queen's body will lie in state at the Grand Palace and be cremated a year later. Sirikit is considered one of the most beautiful women of her time and was often dubbed “Asia's Jackie Kennedy”.

Thai society is mourning the loss of its queen, who has been hospitalized since 2019 after suffering a stroke in 2012. Her husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died in 2016, and Sirikit almost completely withdrew from the public eye after his death. Thailand celebrates her birthday on August 12th as a national holiday and Mother's Day - a tradition that underlines how much the queen was revered by her compatriots. How Explosive reports, the Queen's funeral will be planned with the highest royal honors, underlining her importance.

Succession to the throne in crisis

But Germany's problems related to the succession to the throne remain unresolved. King Maha Vajiralongkorn has not named an official heir. The throne sign is particularly uncertain as his eldest daughter, Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, has been in a coma since December 2022. A heart attack during dog training led to this dramatic condition, like t online reported. She is the only daughter from King Maha Vajiralongkorn's first marriage, who is known for her important ceremonial role and is highly respected in Thailand.

The princess's health problems are alarming. According to official reports, she is only kept alive by machines. Doctors are said to have already declared her brain dead. The uncertainty over the succession to the throne increases worries in the kingdom, especially since Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, the official heir, is the only son from the king's marriage and lives in Germany with autism. King Vajiralongkorn also has four other sons from various previous marriages who live in exile.

National mourning and national dismay

During the current period of mourning, the population is asked to wear dark colors for 90 days while the national flags fly at half-mast for 30 days. This is not only a sign of respect, but also an indication of the Thai people's deep connection to their monarchy. In times of crisis, the succession to the throne reflects the country's cultural identity and historical awareness.

The Thai monarchy is at a turning point as it mourns the death of one of its most important figures while facing current uncertainties over its future. The coming months will show in which direction the royal family will develop and how it will manage to maintain the trust and support of the Thai people.