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Thailand’s Ex-Queen Sirikit, Revered As ‘Mother Of The Nation’, Dies At 93
Thailand’s Ex-Queen Sirikit, Revered As ‘Mother Of The Nation’, Dies At 93
Thailand's royal palace on Friday said that the nation's former Queen Sirikit, the mother of the current King Vajiralongkorn and wife of the nation's longest-reigning monarch, passed away at the age of 93.
Revered as ‘Mother of Nation', Thailand celebrates her birthday as the country's official ‘Mother's Day'.
“I feel sad because she was a mother figure to the country, and now she's gone," 53-year-old housekeeper Sasis Putthasit said. “I had heard that she had been unwell and, given that she was in her 90s, I knew this day would come, but I didn't expect it to be today," Sasis further added while speaking to AFP.
Sirikit, member of the royal family which is venerated in Thailand, treated by many as semi-divine figures and lavished with glowing media coverage and gold-adorned portraits hanging in public spaces and private homes nationwide, was known for her close bonds with the people of Thailand.
Former Queen Sirikit's body will lie in state at the Grand Palace's Dusit Thorne Hall in the capital Bangkok, according to the palace.
She drew comparisons with Jackie Kennedy, the former US First Lady, as she carved a dual reputation as a fashionista and the nation's caring matriarch.
Sirikit had “suffered several illnesses" while hospitalised since 2019, including a blood infection this month, the palace said in a statement.
“Her majesty's condition worsened until Friday and she passed away… at Chulalongkorn hospital at age 93," it added.
King Vajiralongkorn has assigned members of the royal family to begin a year-long mourning period, the palace said.
From early Saturday, Thai news anchors were seen wearing black during the morning broadcast, a sign of public mourning.
Thai diplomat Pavin Chachavalpongpun said her passing “marks a profoundly significant event for the Thai Royal Family and the entire nation, given her immense popularity and deep connection to the late king who remains deeply revered".
Sirikit retired from the public eye in recent years as she suffered from ailing health, her privacy sealed by strict lese majeste laws that limit what can be reported about the royal family. But in her heyday in the 1960s she mingled with US presidents and superstars such as Elvis Presley, while at home touring Thailand to visit villagers in rural areas.
She was King Bhumibol Adulyadej's wife who reigned from 1946 until 2016. Thai people revere him as the nation's most steadfast figurehead and Sirikit as his constant companion.
The reigning Chakri dynasty dates back to 1782 but the succession from King Vajiralongkorn is unclear as he has not formally named an heir.
He has seven children including five sons — four from an earlier marriage who have been officially disowned, and his 20-year-old son Dipangkorn Rasmijoti.
While the royal family is still held in very high regard by most Thais, it faced unprecedented public dissent during street protests in 2020.
Tens of thousands of young protesters took to the streets demanding widespread political reforms including changes to the monarchy — a public challenge to the royals' status never seen in Thailand before.
Though Thailand's constitution places the monarchy above politics, Sirikit drew public attention when she attended the funeral of a royalist protester in 2008.
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When her husband King Bhumibol died, Thailand observed a year-long mourning period.
Authorities ordered flags to fly at half-mast for 30 days, banned weddings and concerts, and instructed citizens to wear black.
Source: News18
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