Thailand has begun a year-long state funeral ceremony for former Queen Sirikit, who passed away on Friday at the age of 93. The revered royal matriarch, mother to King Vajiralongkorn and wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, will lie in state at Bangkok’s Grand Palace for twelve months before her cremation.
On Sunday, mourning citizens gathered in the capital to witness the solemn procession transferring her remains from Chulalongkorn Hospital to the palace grounds. The royal family, regarded by many Thais as semi-divine, remains deeply revered across the nation. Billboards across Bangkok now display black-and-white tributes to the late queen, while the public has been urged to dress in dark attire and refrain from holding festive events during the mourning period.
Throughout her 66-year marriage to King Bhumibol, Queen Sirikit earned admiration both as a global style icon and as a compassionate “Mother of the Nation.” In the 1960s, she was celebrated internationally, with Western media often comparing her elegance to that of former U.S. First Lady Jackie Kennedy.
At home, Sirikit’s legacy extends far beyond fashion. She was known for her charitable work, particularly her extensive tours of rural Thailand aimed at improving the livelihoods of women and families. Her birthday was officially designated as Thailand’s Mother’s Day, symbolizing her enduring role as a unifying national figure.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul postponed his planned trip to Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit to pay his respects, before briefly traveling to endorse a peace agreement with Cambodia a deal witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“I send my condolences to the great people of Thailand,” President Trump wrote on social media while en route to Malaysia.
The former queen had been largely absent from public life since 2019, following a series of health complications, including a recent blood infection. Her passing marks the end of an era for Thailand’s monarchy one defined by decades of stability, cultural pride, and deep affection for its royal family.
