Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit Dies at 93, Year-long Mourning Declared

Queen Sirikit of Thailand, mother of the current King Maha Vajiralongkorn and wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has died at age 93 after a prolonged illness, including a blood infection. She was revered in Thailand for her humanitarian work, rural development initiatives, and environmental conservation efforts, with her birthday celebrated nationally as Mother's Day. Despite her long-standing public influence, her health had declined for years, leading to her withdrawal from public life since a stroke in 2012 and hospitalization since 2019. The Thai government declared a one-year mourning period and canceled Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's trip to the ASEAN summit in respect to her death. Queen Sirikit was also known for her cultural impact, including revitalizing the Thai silk industry and serving briefly as regent. Her death marks the end of an era for a figure deeply intertwined with Thailand's monarchy and national identity, amid a politically sensitive environment where the royal family is highly venerated and protected by strict laws.