Amanze Chinonye
Thailand’s Queen Mother, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, has died at the age of 93, the Royal Household Bureau announced late Friday.
The Queen Mother passed away at 9:21 p.m. local time on October 24 at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, where she had been receiving medical care for several years. Palace officials said she died peacefully after battling a prolonged illness.
In a statement on Saturday, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) declared a one-year mourning period for the Royal Family and Royal Household. National flags will be flown at half-mast as the country prepares elaborate state funeral rites befitting her royal status.
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Queen Sirikit was the widow of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), Thailand’s longest-reigning monarch who ruled for 70 years until his death in 2016. She was widely admired for her grace, charitable work, and tireless advocacy for social welfare and cultural preservation.
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During her decades as Queen Consort, she promoted rural development and traditional Thai crafts through royal projects aimed at improving the livelihoods of rural communities. Her work to revive the Thai silk industry brought global recognition to Thailand’s cultural heritage and craftsmanship.
Queen Sirikit had been in frail health since suffering a stroke in 2012 and had largely withdrawn from public life. Her last major public appearance was in August 2018 during her 86th birthday celebrations.
Tributes have poured in from across Thailand and beyond, with leaders and citizens alike remembering her as a symbol of compassion and national unity. Crowds gathered outside the Grand Palace and at temples nationwide on Saturday to offer prayers and lay flowers in her honour.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the Royal Household Bureau in the coming days.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
