BANGKOK: Thailand mourns the death of former Queen Sirikit, mother of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and widow of the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, who passed away Friday at 93, the palace confirmed.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described her passing as a “great loss to the nation” and said he would delay his departure to a Southeast Asian leaders’ summit in Malaysia.
Throughout her 66-year marriage to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Sirikit earned recognition both as a fashion icon and a caring matriarch. Western media often compared her to former US first lady Jackie Kennedy.
Hospitalised since 2019 with several illnesses, including a blood infection this month, her condition worsened until her death at Chulalongkorn Hospital, the palace said. King Vajiralongkorn has ordered a year-long mourning period.
News anchors in Thailand appeared in black on Saturday as a sign of national mourning. Former diplomat Pavin Chachavalpongpun described her death as “profoundly significant for the Thai Royal Family and the entire nation.”
Known as the “Mother of the Nation,” Sirikit was celebrated for her outreach to rural communities and her role in promoting Thai culture. Her birthday was designated Thailand’s Mothers’ Day.
Thailand’s Chakri dynasty dates back to 1782, but succession plans remain unclear. While the royal family continues to command respect, public dissent surfaced during protests in 2020 demanding political reforms.
Sirikit’s body will lie in state at the Grand Palace’s Dusit Throne Hall in Bangkok. Citizens and officials alike are observing mourning traditions similar to those following King Bhumibol’s death.
Thais remember Sirikit and her late husband as guiding figures whose presence shaped generations of the nation. – AFP
