BANGKOK, 25 October (H.S.): Queen Mother Sirikit of Thailand, a revered and influential figure who was the wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, passed away on Friday at the age of 93. The Royal Household Bureau announced that she died in a Bangkok hospital following a blood infection, after years of declining health had largely removed her from public life.

For decades, Queen Sirikit was a beloved matriarch, celebrated for her tireless dedication to royal development projects. Her work focused on uplifting the rural poor, preserving the nation’s traditional crafts through her SUPPORT foundation, and championing environmental causes, which earned her the moniker the Green Queen. Her birthday, August 12, is honored throughout Thailand as Mother’s Day, a testament to her widespread affection.

Born into an aristocratic family in 1932, she met the young King Bhumibol in Paris and they married in 1950, beginning a seven-decade partnership at the heart of the Thai monarchy. Together, they traveled extensively, both as global ambassadors and within Thailand, where the Queen personally addressed the needs of villagers, earning enduring popularity in the countryside.

However, her legacy is also complex. During Thailand’s periods of intense political turmoil, Queen Sirikit’s behind-the-scenes influence was scrutinized, and some actions were perceived as taking a side in the nation’s deep political divides.

She is survived by her four children, including the current monarch, King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Her death marks the passing of a central figure from a transformative era of Thai history.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar