BANGKOK, Oct 25 — The Bureau of the Royal Household announced on Saturday the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, at the age of 93.
In a statement, the Bureau said, Her Majesty passed away peacefully at 9.21pm on Friday (Oct 24) at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, under the care of the Thai Red Cross Society.
The Bureau said a team of physicians had been monitoring and treating Her Majesty’s health since Sept 7, 2019.
They found that she had several illnesses and abnormalities affecting multiple organ systems, which required continuous medical care.
“According to the medical team, Her Majesty the Queen Mother developed a bloodstream infection on Oct 17. Despite all medical efforts, her condition gradually deteriorated, and she passed away peacefully at 9.21 pm on Friday at the age of 93,” the Bureau of the Royal Household said in a statement on Saturday.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has instructed the Bureau to organise Her Majesty’s royal funeral with the highest honours in accordance with royal tradition.
Her remains will be enshrined at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace, Bangkok.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn has also decreed a one-year mourning period for members of the Royal Family and officials of the Royal Court, beginning from the date of Her Majesty’s passing.
Queen Sirikit was born in Bangkok on Aug 12, 1932, as M.R. Sirikit Kitiyakara, the daughter of Prince Nakkhatra Mangala and M.L. Bua Kitiyakara.
She became engaged to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, while abroad, and they were married in Bangkok on Apr 28, 1950, when she was granted the title of Her Majesty the Queen.
She was formally elevated to full Queen on His Majesty’s coronation day, May 5 1950.
Her Majesty was deeply revered for her lifelong devotion to the Thai people.
She dedicated herself to promoting rural development, women’s empowerment, and the preservation of traditional Thai arts and crafts.
