Thailand in mourning: Ex-Queen Sirikit dies at the age of 93

Thailand in mourning: Ex-Queen Sirikit dies at the age of 93

There is deep sadness in Thailand: the former Queen Sirikit died on the evening of October 24, 2025 in the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. She was 93 years old and leaves behind a significant legacy spanning more than 66 years of monarchy. Her health had been deteriorating since 2019, particularly after blood poisoning she suffered earlier that month. The royal family in Bangkok announced a funeral "with the highest royal honors" and a year-long mourning period was declared for government officials and public sector employees. During this period, the population is asked to wear black or pale colors for 90 days. In addition, consideration has already been given to canceling a number of events to pay respect to this loss.

Sirikit was considered a symbol of compassion and devotion in Thailand. King Maha Vajiralongkorn, her son, ordered a royal funeral and declared that his mother's eternal grace would be remembered. Many Thais bring flowers and offerings to the royal palace to express their grief. Flags are flying at half-mast in all government buildings and tens of thousands of Thais have already expressed their condolences.

A life full of devotion

Sirikit was born on August 12, 1932 and grew up in a royal family. Her father, an ambassador, taught her the values ​​of grace and elegance, which she later carried into the world. She was even called “Asia's Jackie Kennedy” and was described as the best-dressed woman on earth in the 1950s and 1960s. She successfully spent her youth in Europe, where she met King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Paris in 1947. The wedding took place in 1950, shortly before his coronation as King Rama IX. The couple had four children, including the current King Vajiralongkorn.

In addition to her role as a queen, Sirikit was also passionately involved in social projects. She worked to improve living conditions in rural areas and founded the Support Foundation to promote Thai art and women's rights. Her birthday, which is also celebrated as Mother's Day in Thailand, is not just a personal celebration but a national event.

Unforgettable legacy

Despite her illness and withdrawal from the public eye from 2012, she remained an important figure in Thai society. Her last public appearance was in October 2016, when she accompanied her husband's funeral procession. The country mourns the loss of a monarch who served as a bridge between tradition and modernity and touched countless strangers. The cultural legacy she leaves behind will live on through her efforts to educate and support vulnerable communities.

King Vajiralongkorn is considered the father of the nation, but the memory of Sirikit's grace and devotion will long linger in people's hearts. This time of pain and renewal could be seen not only as a farewell but also as a moment of shared reflection on the values ​​she embodied.

During this difficult time, the German Embassy in Bangkok also expressed its condolences and emphasized Germany's stable support for Thailand.