By Frank Ulom
BANGKOK (CONVERSEER) – Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, renowned for her humanitarian work and decades of service to the Thai people, has died at the age of 93.
The Royal Household Bureau announced that the Queen Mother passed away on Friday at a hospital in Bangkok after suffering complications from a blood infection. Despite the best efforts of her medical team, her condition deteriorated. She had been receiving long-term care at Chulalongkorn Hospital and had largely withdrawn from public life in recent years due to declining health.
Queen Sirikit, widow of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for seven decades until his death in 2016, was deeply respected for her dedication to Thailand’s rural poor, her advocacy for environmental conservation, and her commitment to preserving traditional crafts.
Her son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and other members of the royal family were by her side in her final days, according to photographs released by the palace.
A Life of Service and Influence
Born Sirikit Kitiyakara on 12 August 1932 into an aristocratic Bangkok family, she was educated both in Thailand and abroad. Her father’s diplomatic posting in France brought her into contact with the young King Bhumibol, then studying in Switzerland. Their friendship deepened after the King was seriously injured in a car accident, and she helped nurse him back to health. The couple married in 1950, pledging to reign “with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people.”
They had four children — King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and princesses Ubolratana, Sirindhorn, and Chulabhorn.
During their early years together, the royal couple represented Thailand across the world, fostering international goodwill. By the 1970s, however, they shifted focus to domestic challenges — rural poverty, drug addiction, and the communist insurgency.
Queen Sirikit accompanied King Bhumibol on countless journeys to remote areas, engaging directly with villagers and listening to their concerns. Her compassion and hands-on approach earned her widespread affection, particularly in rural Thailand.
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In 1976, she founded the SUPPORT Foundation to promote traditional craft-making such as silk-weaving, ceramics, and jewellery production, helping rural families gain income while preserving Thai cultural heritage.
Nicknamed the “Green Queen,” she also spearheaded conservation projects, including sea turtle hatcheries and wildlife sanctuaries, as well as initiatives such as Forest Loves Water and Little House in the Forest, designed to promote environmental awareness and sustainable resource management.
A Beloved yet Controversial Figure
While Queen Sirikit was revered as a symbol of Thai motherhood — her birthday, 12 August, is celebrated nationally as Mother’s Day — her influence also drew scrutiny during Thailand’s politically turbulent years.
She was perceived by some as having played a role in the nation’s political dynamics, especially after attending the funeral of a protester killed in a confrontation with police, an act many interpreted as showing partiality.
Despite controversies, her standing among ordinary Thais remained high. She once explained her motivation in a 1979 interview with the Associated Press, saying: “People in rural Thailand say they are neglected, and we try to fill that gap by staying with them in remote areas.”
Queen Sirikit’s passing marks the end of an era for the Thai monarchy. For many, she represented dignity, cultural pride, and a bridge between Thailand’s royal traditions and its modern aspirations.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the Royal Household Bureau in the coming days.
