Queen Sirikit of Thailand, Revered as the Nation’s Mother, Passes Away at 93

Thailand is mourning the loss of Queen Mother Sirikit, the widow of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away in Bangkok at the age of 93. The Royal Household Bureau confirmed that the queen died after battling a blood infection since October 17, despite sustained medical treatment. Her death marks the end of an era in Thailand’s modern monarchy, where she played a defining role in social welfare and cultural preservation.

A Life of Service to the Thai People

Queen Sirikit was widely admired for her humanitarian initiatives aimed at alleviating rural poverty and promoting traditional craftsmanship. During her lifetime, she launched and oversaw numerous royal projects that uplifted rural communities, from silk weaving and handicrafts to reforestation and wildlife conservation. Her birthday, August 12, was nationally celebrated as Mother’s Day, reflecting her enduring image as the “Mother of the Nation.”

Royal Legacy and Early Life

Born in Bangkok on August 12, 1932, into an aristocratic family, Sirikit Kitiyakara was educated both in Thailand and Europe. She met the young King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Paris and later moved to Switzerland to care for him after an accident, deepening their bond. The couple married in 1950, the same year Bhumibol’s coronation took place. Together, they vowed to reign for the happiness of the Thai people and went on to raise four children, including the current King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Champion of Culture, Environment, and the Poor

In 1976, Queen Sirikit founded the SUPPORT Foundation, which provided rural artisans with training in silk-weaving, jewellery-making, and other traditional crafts. Her environmental projects, such as “Forest Loves Water” and “Little House in the Forest,” demonstrated sustainable coexistence between nature and livelihoods. Often referred to as the “Green Queen,” she combined elegance with deep empathy, visiting remote villages and directly engaging with rural communities.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Queen Sirikit was born on 12 August 1932, and her birthday was observed as Thailand’s Mother’s Day.
• She married King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1950 and was Thailand’s queen consort until his death in 2016.
• Founded the SUPPORT Foundation in 1976 to promote rural crafts and self-reliance.
• Known for environmental initiatives like “Forest Loves Water” and “Little House in the Forest.”

Enduring Influence Amid Political Change

Despite Thailand’s political turbulence and shifting public views on the monarchy, Queen Sirikit remained a respected figure. Her compassion and outreach to rural citizens reinforced her bond with the people, even as her health declined in recent years. Her passing leaves behind a legacy of cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and unwavering service to her nation.