On August 18, 2022, Thailand laid to rest one of its most beloved royalty — Queen Mother Sirikit. She died at the age of 93 after a valiant struggle against a blood infection of several weeks duration. She was born on August 12, 1932 in Bangkok into the rich aristocratic family. She overcame these adversities to become an impactful, compassionate, and catalytic force in Thai society. To this day her birthday is celebrated as Mother’s Day in Thailand, a testament to her persistent legacy.
During her life, Queen Sirikit served a variety of causes through her philanthropic work. She was especially beloved for her effort in providing aid to Cambodian refugees and advocating for coastal protection. Her efforts included projects to protect Thailand’s tropical forests and championing royal initiatives to help the rural poor.
In 1976, Queen Sirikit created the SUPPORT foundation. Since then, it has transformed the lives of hundreds of Cambodians — providing thousands of villagers with training in traditional crafts such as silk-weaving, jewelry-making, painting and ceramics. This federal commitment to cultural heritage preservation has dramatically shaped the cultural landscape of our nation’s communities—both urban and rural.
Her environmental efforts won her the endearing moniker of “Green Queen.” To preserve the nation’s endangered species, including seven species of sea turtles, Queen Sirikit established wildlife breeding centers and hatcheries. During her time in this role, these efforts highlighted her commitment and passion for Thailand’s natural resources and wildlife.
Queen Sirikit’s life was closely connected with that of her husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej who died in October 2016. Collectively, he and she journeyed prodigiously throughout the land, attending to more than 500 royal, sacred and state rituals annually. Their mutual devotion to the monarchy elevated it further as a sacred institution in Thai society.
The couple had four children: current King Maha Vajiralongkorn and princesses Ubolratana, Sirindhorn, and Chulabhorn. Her faith in the monarchy’s role as an essential institution was absolute. She once remarked, “There are some in the universities who think the monarchy is obsolete. I think Thailand needs an understanding monarch.”
She spent her formative years in wartime Bangkok. Later, she followed her father to France, where he was appointed ambassador. It was at the tender age of 16 that she first crossed paths with King Bhumibol Adulyadej. This meeting occurred during her time in school for music and linguistics.
In her speeches to the public, Queen Sirikit consistently emphasized the need to address social divisions. “Misunderstandings arise between people in rural areas and the rich, so-called civilized people in Bangkok,” she explained. “People in rural Thailand say they are neglected, and we try to fill that gap by staying with them in remote areas.”
Her fierce determination to seek out and listen to the needs of all Thais endeared her to the people. This selfless devotion secured her role as a maternal presence for her kingdom.
