Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit passes away at 93
What's the story
Thailand is mourning the death of former Queen Sirikit, who passed away at 93. The royal palace announced her death on Saturday, stating that she died at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok. Her husband was King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who ruled for seven decades before he died in 2016. She was also the mother of the reigning King Maha Vajiralongkorn
Health decline
Queen Sirikit was suffering from blood infection
Queen Sirikit had been suffering from a blood infection since October 17. Despite the efforts of her medical team, her health continued to deteriorate according to media reports. The palace confirmed in a staatement that she passed away at 9:21pm on Friday. Her death has plunged Thailand into mourning, with officials and citizens alike paying their respects to the beloved royal figure.
Official mourning
Prime Minister cancels ASEAN summit trip
In light of the Queen Mother's death, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul canceled his flight to Malaysia for an ASEAN leaders' summit. Instead, he held a cabinet meeting to discuss funeral arrangements. The meeting was attended by government officials dressed in black as a mark of respect. King Vajiralongkorn has declared a one-year official mourning period for royal family members and servants from the date of his mother's passing, according to the Thai PBS media outlet.
Royal legacy
Queen's life and reign
Queen Sirikit was born into an aristocratic family in Bangkok in 1932, the same year that absolute monarchy was replaced by a constitutional system. She met King Bhumibol in Paris in 1948 in Paris and married him two years later, just before his coronation as Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty. The couple had four children. During their reign, they traveled as goodwill ambassadors, focusing on issues such as rural poverty, opium addiction in hill tribes and a communist insurgency.
Health decline
Health issues and legacy
In her later years, Queen Sirikit suffered from various health issues, including a debilitating stroke in 2012. She spent her last days at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn Hospital after being admitted there in September 2019. Her death has left a void in Thailand as she was a beloved figure, with her birthday being celebrated as Mother's Day across the nation.