Death and funeral of Sirikit: Difference between revisions

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| place = Bhumisiri Mangalanusorn Building, [[King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital]], Bangkok (death)

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[[Sirikit]], the [[queen mother]] of Thailand, died on 24 October 2025 at 9:21 p.m. at the [[King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital]] in Bangkok. The government announced a one-year period of mourning. The [[Bureau of the Royal Household]] has scheduled the royal funeral ceremonies from 26 October 2025 at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, [[Grand Palace]].

== Background ==

After attending the [[Vesak]], which coincides with the 2600th anniversary of the Buddha’s enlightenment, at [[Sanam Luang]] in June 2012,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-04 |title=“พระราชินี” เสด็จฯเวียนเทียนบูชาพระบรมสารีริกธาตุ ท้องสนามหลวง |url=https://mgronline.com/qol/detail/9550000068470 |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=mgronline.com |language=th}}</ref> and visiting the [[Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles]] on 11 July 2012,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-25 |title=รู้จัก พิพิธภัณฑ์ผ้าในสมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ แหล่งเรียนรู้ประวัติศาสตร์ผ้าไทย |url=https://www.thairath.co.th/lifestyle/life/2891249 |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=www.thairath.co.th |language=th}}</ref> Sirikit felt unsteady and staggered while exercising at [[Siriraj Hospital]] on 21 July 2012. After performing [[magnetic resonance imaging]], a team of physicians determined that she had suffered an ischemic stroke.<ref>{{cite web | title = Statement of the Bureau of the Royal Household, Re: Her Majesty the Queen falls ill at Siriraj Hospital, dated 21 July 2012. | url = http://www.brh.thaigov.net/information/Buket%20Data/2012/2012_07/2012_07_27/S102_23072012.pdf | publisher = Bureau of the Royal Household | date = 2012-07-21 | accessdate = 2012-12-05 | format = pdf | archive-date = 2016-03-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232513/http://www.brh.thaigov.net/information/Buket%20Data/2012/2012_07/2012_07_27/S102_23072012.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref> She suspended public duties as a result of her illness. The following year, she accompanied her husband, ~~King~~ [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]], to reside at [[Klai Kangwon Palace]]. Royal physicians later determined that Sirikit had tendon inflammation and therefore provided medication and physical therapy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-07 |title=“พระราชินี” ทรงมีพระอาการปวดพระอังสา-ข้อพระกรข้างซ้ายอักเสบ |url=https://mgronline.com/onlinesection/detail/9560000097932 |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=mgronline.com |language=th}}</ref>

After attending the [[Vesak]], which coincides with the 2600th anniversary of the Buddha’s enlightenment, at [[Sanam Luang]] in June 2012,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-04 |title=“พระราชินี” เสด็จฯเวียนเทียนบูชาพระบรมสารีริกธาตุ ท้องสนามหลวง |url=https://mgronline.com/qol/detail/9550000068470 |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=mgronline.com |language=th}}</ref> and visiting the [[Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles]] on 11 July 2012,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-25 |title=รู้จัก พิพิธภัณฑ์ผ้าในสมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ แหล่งเรียนรู้ประวัติศาสตร์ผ้าไทย |url=https://www.thairath.co.th/lifestyle/life/2891249 |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=www.thairath.co.th |language=th}}</ref> Sirikit felt unsteady and staggered while exercising at [[Siriraj Hospital]] on 21 July 2012. After performing [[magnetic resonance imaging]], a team of physicians determined that she had suffered an ischemic stroke.<ref>{{cite web | title = Statement of the Bureau of the Royal Household, Re: Her Majesty the Queen falls ill at Siriraj Hospital, dated 21 July 2012. | url = http://www.brh.thaigov.net/information/Buket%20Data/2012/2012_07/2012_07_27/S102_23072012.pdf | publisher = Bureau of the Royal Household | date = 2012-07-21 | accessdate = 2012-12-05 | format = pdf | archive-date = 2016-03-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232513/http://www.brh.thaigov.net/information/Buket%20Data/2012/2012_07/2012_07_27/S102_23072012.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref> She suspended public duties as a result of her illness. The following year, she accompanied her husband, [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]], to reside at [[Klai Kangwon Palace]]. Royal physicians later determined that Sirikit had tendon inflammation and therefore provided medication and physical therapy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-07 |title=“พระราชินี” ทรงมีพระอาการปวดพระอังสา-ข้อพระกรข้างซ้ายอักเสบ |url=https://mgronline.com/onlinesection/detail/9560000097932 |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=mgronline.com |language=th}}</ref>

After [[Death and funeral of Bhumibol Adulyadej|the death of her husband]], Sirikit accompanied Bhumibol ~~Adulyadej~~‘s body from [[Siriraj Hospital]] to the [[Grand Palace]] on 14 October 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/722964 |title= สมเด็จพระราชินีเสด็จฯ ตามพระบรมศพสู่พระบรมมหาราชวัง |author=|date= 14 October 2016 |work= กรุงเทพธุรกิจออนไลน์ |publisher=|accessdate= 1 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.komchadluek.net/news/women/246069 |title= ราชินีเสด็จฯตามพระบรมศพสู่พระมหาราชวัง |author=|date= 14 October 2016 |work= คมชัดลึก |publisher=|accessdate= 1 November 2016}}</ref> In 2019, physicians requested Sirikit to move to [[King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital]], operated by the [[Thai Red Cross Society]], for further observation and medical examinations.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 September 2019 |title=แถลงการณ์สำนักพระราชวัง พระพันปีหลวง เสด็จฯ ไปประทับ ร.พ.จุฬาลงกรณ์ |url=https://www.khaosod.co.th/special-stories/news_2871582 |accessdate=25 October 2025 |work=[[Khaosod]]}}</ref>

After [[Death and funeral of Bhumibol Adulyadej|the death of her husband]], Sirikit accompanied Bhumibol’s body from Siriraj Hospital to the [[Grand Palace]] on 14 October 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/722964 |title= สมเด็จพระราชินีเสด็จฯ ตามพระบรมศพสู่พระบรมมหาราชวัง |author=|date= 14 October 2016 |work= กรุงเทพธุรกิจออนไลน์ |publisher=|accessdate= 1 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.komchadluek.net/news/women/246069 |title= ราชินีเสด็จฯตามพระบรมศพสู่พระมหาราชวัง |author=|date= 14 October 2016 |work= คมชัดลึก |publisher=|accessdate= 1 November 2016}}</ref> In 2019, physicians requested Sirikit to move to [[King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital]], operated by the [[Thai Red Cross Society]], for further observation and medical examinations.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 September 2019 |title=แถลงการณ์สำนักพระราชวัง พระพันปีหลวง เสด็จฯ ไปประทับ ร.พ.จุฬาลงกรณ์ |url=https://www.khaosod.co.th/special-stories/news_2871582 |accessdate=25 October 2025 |work=[[Khaosod]]}}</ref>

On her birthday in 2020, ~~King~~ [[Vajiralongkorn]], ~~Queen~~ [[Suthida]] and other members of the royal family attended Sirikit’s private merit-making ceremony at Bhumisiri Mangalanusorn Building, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-13|title=สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ พระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว และสมเด็จพระนางเจ้า ฯ พระบรมราชินี เสด็จออกในโอกาสที่สมเด็จพระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง ทรงบำเพ็ญพระราชกุศล เป็นการส่วนพระองค์ เนื่องในโอกาสวันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา วันที่ 12 สิงหาคม 2563|url=https://www.royaloffice.th/2020/08/13/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%88%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B4/|website=หน่วยราชการในพระองค์|language=th|access-date=2022-08-09|archive-date=2022-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809094213/https://www.royaloffice.th/2020/08/13/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%88%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B4/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Two years later, on the occasion of her 90th birthday, she performed a private merit-making ceremony at the same location.<ref>{{Cite web|last=nachapa|date=2022-08-13|title=สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ พระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว และสมเด็จพระนางเจ้า ฯ พระบรมราชินี เสด็จออกในโอกาสที่สมเด็จพระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง ทรงบำเพ็ญพระราชกุศล เป็นการส่วนพระองค์ เนื่องในโอกาสวันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา 90 พรรษา วันที่ 12 สิงหาคม 2565|url=https://www.royaloffice.th/2022/08/13/%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%89%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%B2_12-08-2565/|website=หน่วยราชการในพระองค์|language=th|access-date=2022-08-14|archive-date=2022-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815125908/https://www.royaloffice.th/2022/08/13/%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%89%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%B2_12-08-2565/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On her birthday in 2020, [[Vajiralongkorn]], [[Suthida]] and other members of the royal family attended Sirikit’s private merit-making ceremony at Bhumisiri Mangalanusorn Building, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-13|title=สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ พระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว และสมเด็จพระนางเจ้า ฯ พระบรมราชินี เสด็จออกในโอกาสที่สมเด็จพระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง ทรงบำเพ็ญพระราชกุศล เป็นการส่วนพระองค์ เนื่องในโอกาสวันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา วันที่ 12 สิงหาคม 2563|url=https://www.royaloffice.th/2020/08/13/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%88%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B4/|website=หน่วยราชการในพระองค์|language=th|access-date=2022-08-09|archive-date=2022-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809094213/https://www.royaloffice.th/2020/08/13/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%88%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B4/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Two years later, on the occasion of her 90th birthday, she performed a private merit-making ceremony at the same location.<ref>{{Cite web|last=nachapa|date=2022-08-13|title=สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ พระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว และสมเด็จพระนางเจ้า ฯ พระบรมราชินี เสด็จออกในโอกาสที่สมเด็จพระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง ทรงบำเพ็ญพระราชกุศล เป็นการส่วนพระองค์ เนื่องในโอกาสวันเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา 90 พรรษา วันที่ 12 สิงหาคม 2565|url=https://www.royaloffice.th/2022/08/13/%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%89%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%B2_12-08-2565/|website=หน่วยราชการในพระองค์|language=th|access-date=2022-08-14|archive-date=2022-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815125908/https://www.royaloffice.th/2022/08/13/%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%89%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%B2_12-08-2565/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Death ==

The Royal Household Bureau announced Sirikit’s death on 24 October 2025. The announcement stated she had experienced several illnesses while staying at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, and the royal medical team detected abnormalities in various bodily systems, requiring continuous treatment. From 17 October 2025, she became critically ill with [[sepsis]]. Her condition gradually worsened, and she died on 24 October 2025 at 21:21, at the age of 93.<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite news |date=25 October 2025 |title=ประกาศสำนักพระราชวัง “สมเด็จพระพันปีหลวง” สวรรคต |url=https://www.thairath.co.th/news/royal/2891166 |access-date=25 October 2025 |work=[[Thairath]]}}</ref>

== Funeral ceremonies ==

=== Royal ~~Funeral~~ procession to the Grand Palace ===

=== Royal procession to the Grand Palace ===

On 26 October 2025 at 15:42, members of the royal family, including King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida, proceeded from [[Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall]], [[Dusit Palace]], to the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. They then entered the Bhumisiri Mangalanusorn Building and proceeded to the 29th floor, where several royals awaited to pay respects. Following this, Somdet Phra Maha ~~Veerawong~~ (Suchin Akkachino), Chief of the ~~Dhammaksa~~ Monastic Division, together with the ~~Assistant~~ ~~Abbot~~ of [[Wat Ratchabophit]], led the procession to transfer the royal coffin of Sirikit from the building and place it onto a gray 2001 Volkswagen Caravelle T4 with a blue stripe, registration number 1D-0929 Bangkok, also known as the “James Bond” vehicle. This vehicle was used to carry the royal coffin of Bhumibol ~~Adulyadej~~ following his death in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 October 2025 |title=“เจมส์ บอนด์” พระราชพาหนะอัญเชิญพระบรมศพ สมเด็จพระพันปีหลวง – คันเดียวกับในหลวง ร.๙ |url=https://mgronline.com/onlinesection/detail/9680000102217 |access-date=27 October 2025 |work=[[Manager Daily]]}}</ref>

On 26 October 2025 at 15:42, members of the royal family, including King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida, proceeded from [[Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall]], [[Dusit Palace]], to the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. They then entered the Bhumisiri Mangalanusorn Building and proceeded to the 29th floor, where several royals awaited to pay respects. Following this, Somdet Phra Maha (Suchin Akkachino), Chief of the Monastic Division, together with the of [[Wat Ratchabophit]], led the procession to transfer the royal coffin of Sirikit from the building and place it onto a gray 2001 Volkswagen Caravelle T4 with a blue stripe, registration number 1D-0929 Bangkok, also known as the “James Bond” vehicle. This vehicle was used to carry the royal coffin of Bhumibol following his death in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 October 2025 |title=“เจมส์ บอนด์” พระราชพาหนะอัญเชิญพระบรมศพ สมเด็จพระพันปีหลวง – คันเดียวกับในหลวง ร.๙ |url=https://mgronline.com/onlinesection/detail/9680000102217 |access-date=27 October 2025 |work=[[Manager Daily]]}}</ref>

Sirikit’s funeral procession began at 16:26 on the same day. The procession was led by the car of Somdet Phra Maha ~~Veerawong~~, followed by the vehicle carrying the royal urn, and then the royal carriages of Vajiralongkorn, Suthida, and other members of the royal family. The procession departed from Chulalongkorn Hospital and proceeded along [[Henri Dunant Road]], [[Rama IV Road]], [[Phaya Thai Road]], [[Si Ayutthaya Road]], [[Ratchadamnoen Road]], and [[Na Phra Lan Road]], entering the [[Grand Palace]] through the Wiset Chai Si Gate. The procession then arrived at Phiman Rattaya Throne Hall, where additional members of the royal family were present to receive the royal urn. The entire procession took 38 minutes, arriving at 17:04.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 October 2025 |title=”ในหลวง-พระราชินี” เสด็จฯ เชิญพระบรมศพ ‘สมเด็จพระพันปีหลวง’ |url=https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/royal/1204772 |access-date=26 October 2025 |work=[[Krungthep Turakij]]}}</ref>

Sirikit’s funeral procession began at 16:26 on the same day. The procession was led by the car of Somdet Phra Maha , followed by the vehicle carrying the royal urn, and then the royal carriages of Vajiralongkorn, Suthida, and other members of the royal family. The procession departed from Chulalongkorn Hospital and proceeded along [[Henri Dunant Road]], [[Rama IV Road]], [[Phaya Thai Road]], [[Si Ayutthaya Road]], [[Ratchadamnoen Road]], and [[Na Phra Lan Road]], entering the [[Grand Palace]] through the Wiset Chai Si Gate. The procession then arrived at Phiman Rattaya Throne Hall, where additional members of the royal family were present to receive the royal urn. The entire procession took 38 minutes, arriving at 17:04.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 October 2025 |title=”ในหลวง-พระราชินี” เสด็จฯ เชิญพระบรมศพ ‘สมเด็จพระพันปีหลวง’ |url=https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/royal/1204772 |access-date=26 October 2025 |work=[[Krungthep Turakij]]}}</ref>

=== Presentation of the Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella ===

To bestow the highest honor and express filial reverence toward Sirikit, [[Vajiralongkorn]] presented the [[Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella]] to be placed over the royal urn, in accordance her royal title as the ~~queen~~ ~~mother~~.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 October 2025 |title=ในหลวง ถวายพระเศวตฉัตร 9 ชั้น กางกั้นถวายพระโกศพระบรมศพ พระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง |url=https://www.matichon.co.th/royal/news_5427247 |access-date=25 October 2025 |work=[[Matichon]]}}</ref> She became the first female member of the royal family or court to be presented with the Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella, which is normally reserved only for fully-crowned kings of Thailand.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 October 2025 |title=พระเศวตฉัตร 9 ชั้น ถวายพระเกียรติยศสูงสุด แด่ พระพันปีหลวง ครั้งแรกในประวัติศาสตร์ |url=https://hilight.kapook.com/view/250097 |access-date=27 October 2025 |work=[[กระปุก.คอม]]}}</ref>

To bestow the highest honor and express filial reverence toward Sirikit, Vajiralongkorn presented the [[Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella]] to be placed over the royal urn, in accordance her royal title as the .<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 October 2025 |title=ในหลวง ถวายพระเศวตฉัตร 9 ชั้น กางกั้นถวายพระโกศพระบรมศพ พระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง |url=https://www.matichon.co.th/royal/news_5427247 |access-date=25 October 2025 |work=[[Matichon]]}}</ref> She became the first female member of the royal family or court to be presented with the Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella, which is normally reserved only for fully-crowned kings of Thailand.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 October 2025 |title=พระเศวตฉัตร 9 ชั้น ถวายพระเกียรติยศสูงสุด แด่ พระพันปีหลวง ครั้งแรกในประวัติศาสตร์ |url=https://hilight.kapook.com/view/250097 |access-date=27 October 2025 |work=[[กระปุก.คอม]]}}</ref>

== Gallery ==

2025 death of the queen mother of Thailand

Death and funeral of Sirikit
A mourning arch for Sirikit, located on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road
Date	(2025-10-24)24 October 2025 at 21:21 (UTC+7) (death)
Location	Bhumisiri Mangalanusorn Building, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok (death)

Sirikit, the queen mother of Thailand, died on 24 October 2025 at 9:21 p.m. at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok. The government announced a one-year period of mourning. The Bureau of the Royal Household has scheduled the royal funeral ceremonies from 26 October 2025 at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, Grand Palace.

After attending the Vesak, which coincides with the 2600th anniversary of the Buddha‘s enlightenment, at Sanam Luang in June 2012,^[1] and visiting the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles on 11 July 2012,^[2] Sirikit felt unsteady and staggered while exercising at Siriraj Hospital on 21 July 2012. After performing magnetic resonance imaging, a team of physicians determined that she had suffered an ischemic stroke.^[3] She suspended public duties as a result of her illness. The following year, she accompanied her husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, to reside at Klai Kangwon Palace. Royal physicians later determined that Sirikit had tendon inflammation and therefore provided medication and physical therapy.^[4]

After the death of her husband, Sirikit accompanied Bhumibol’s body from Siriraj Hospital to the Grand Palace on 14 October 2016.^[5]^[6] In 2019, physicians requested Sirikit to move to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, operated by the Thai Red Cross Society, for further observation and medical examinations.^[7]

On her birthday in 2020, King Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida and other members of the royal family attended Sirikit’s private merit-making ceremony at Bhumisiri Mangalanusorn Building, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.^[8] Two years later, on the occasion of her 90th birthday, she performed a private merit-making ceremony at the same location.^[9]

Royal funeral procession to the Grand Palace

[edit]

On 26 October 2025 at 15:42, members of the royal family, including King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida, proceeded from Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, Dusit Palace, to the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. They then entered the Bhumisiri Mangalanusorn Building and proceeded to the 29th floor, where several royals awaited to pay respects. Following this, Somdet Phra Maha Virawong (Suchin Akkachino), Chief of the Dhammakaya Monastic Division, together with the assistant abbot of Wat Ratchabophit, led the procession to transfer the royal coffin of Sirikit from the building and place it onto a gray 2001 Volkswagen Caravelle T4 with a blue stripe, registration number 1D-0929 Bangkok, also known as the “James Bond” vehicle. This vehicle was used to carry the royal coffin of Bhumibol following his death in 2016.^[11]

Sirikit’s funeral procession began at 16:26 on the same day. The procession was led by the car of Somdet Phra Maha Virawong, followed by the vehicle carrying the royal urn, and then the royal carriages of Vajiralongkorn, Suthida, and other members of the royal family. The procession departed from Chulalongkorn Hospital and proceeded along Henri Dunant Road, Rama IV Road, Phaya Thai Road, Si Ayutthaya Road, Ratchadamnoen Road, and Na Phra Lan Road, entering the Grand Palace through the Wiset Chai Si Gate. The procession then arrived at Phiman Rattaya Throne Hall, where additional members of the royal family were present to receive the royal urn. The entire procession took 38 minutes, arriving at 17:04.^[12]

Presentation of the Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella

[edit]

To bestow the highest honor and express filial reverence toward Sirikit, King Vajiralongkorn presented the Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella to be placed over the royal urn, in accordance her royal title as the “Queen Mother”.^[13] She became the first female member of the royal family or court to be presented with the Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella, which is normally reserved only for fully-crowned kings of Thailand.^[14]

Picture of the Queen Mother with small set of golden ceremonial vessels.
Sattamavara Merit-Making Ceremony (completed 7 days) to dedicate merit to the Queen Mother in Chiang Rai.
Sattamavara Merit-Making Ceremony (completed 7 days) to dedicate merit to the Queen Mother in Chiang Rai.
Mourning billboard for the Queen Mother in Chiang Rai.

Royal funeral procession to the Grand Palace

Presentation of the Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella

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