Death and funeral of Sirikit

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

Death and funeral of Sirikit

The mourning arch for Sirikit, located on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road
Date	(2025-10-24)October 24, 2025
Location	29th Floor, Bhumisiri Mangalanusorn Building, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society

Background

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 July 11, 2012,^[2] Sirikit became ill the following week and was admitted to Siriraj Hospital for treatment.^[3] Since then, she suspended her royal duties. The following year, she accompanied Bhumibol Adulyadej, her royal consort, to reside at Klai Kangwon Palace. Later, the royal physicians found that Sirikit had tendon inflammation and therefore provided medication and physical therapy.^[4]

After the death of her royal consort, Sirikit accompanied Bhumibol Adulyadej’s body from Siriraj Hospital to the Grand Palace on October 14, 2016.^[5][6] Three years later, the royal physicians requested Sirikit to move to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, for further observation and medical examinations.^[7] Since then, there has been no further news about Sirikit's condition.

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

Death

The Royal Household Bureau announced Sirikit's death on 24 October 2025. The announcement stated that she had been admitted to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, for health monitoring since 7 September 2019. During this period, she experienced several illnesses, and the royal medical team detected abnormalities in various bodily systems, requiring continuous treatment. From 17 October 2025, she became critically ill with a sepsis. Her condition gradually worsened, and she died on 24 October 2025 at 21:21, at the age of 93.^[10]

The Royal Funeral procession to the Grand Palace

On 26 October 2025 at 15:42, Vajiralongkorn and Suthida, accompanied by members of the Royal Family, proceeded from Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, Dusit Palace, to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society. They then entered the Bhumisiri Mangalanusorn Building and proceeded to the 29th floor, where several members of the Royal Family 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 is the same vehicle that was used nine years ago to carry the royal coffin of Bhumibol Adulyadej.^[11]

At 4:26 PM, the funeral procession ofSirikit began. 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 5:04 PM.^[12]

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.^[13] She became the first female member of the royal family or court to be presented with the Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella, it is normally used only for kings who have already undergone the coronation ceremony.^[14]

Gallery

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