The post The End of an Era: Thailand Mourns the Passing of Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.
Thailand awoke this morning to the deeply saddening news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother who died peacefully on the evening of Friday, 24th October.
The beloved consort of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great (Rama IX), Queen Sirikit was 93 years old.
Her passing marks the end of a remarkable era in Thai history, a life devoted to duty, culture, and compassion.
For more than seven decades, Queen Sirikit stood gracefully by her husband’s side, representing the very essence of Thai womanhood. Her beauty, elegance, and warmth were admired around the world.
She was Thailand’s longest-serving royal consort and a symbol of national unity, devotion, and quiet strength.
Wherever the late King travelled, she was at his side, a true partner in service and love.
A lifetime of devotion and grace
Born on 12th August 1932 in Bangkok, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara hailed from an esteemed aristocratic lineage and received her early education both in Thailand and overseas.
She was born on a Friday, a day symbolised by the colour blue in Thai tradition; poignantly, she also passed away on a Friday.
Throughout her life, Queen Sirikit was a beacon of grace, intelligence, and cultural pride. She played an essential role in supporting King Bhumibol’s many development projects, visiting rural communities, and promoting education, health, and women’s empowerment.
She was especially devoted to preserving traditional Thai crafts, most notably Thai silk, which she helped elevate to international acclaim through the establishment of the SUPPORT Foundation in 1976.
Her Majesty’s impeccable fashion sense, often blending royal Thai textiles with Western elegance, earned her global admiration.
She brought Thai silk to the world stage, working closely with designers and artisans to ensure that local weavers prospered.
Her vision for beauty with purpose lives on through generations of craftspeople inspired by her legacy.
Thailand stands united in grief
For many Thais, the loss feels deeply personal: she was Mae Luang, the Royal Mother, a nurturing figure of gentleness and strength.
People remember her kindness, her smile, and her ability to connect with everyone she met.
Across the country, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and from Isan to the southern provinces, tributes have poured in.
In light of her passing, government offices, schools, and businesses are expected to observe official mourning, with television presenters already dressed in black.
Many Thais will wear black or white clothing for months in respect, while Buddhist temples nationwide hold special chanting ceremonies.
Unofficially, the government is expected to declare a mourning period of one year.
During this time, entertainment and celebratory events may be toned down, and state ceremonies will follow long-established royal protocol.
Queen Sirikit’s passing will be followed by a state funeral of extraordinary dignity, reflecting her immense contribution to the nation.
What to expect from the tourism and hospitality sectors as the nation mourns
As Thailand enters a period of reverence, the business community and tourism sector are adjusting plans respectfully.
Hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues are expected to scale back live music, festive lighting, and promotional events.
Weddings, corporate functions, and parties will continue but in subdued form, with minimal decoration, no dancing or loud music, and a respectful tone throughout.
Tour operators and event planners are already reviewing schedules to ensure activities align with the national mood.
Government and private organisations alike will display black ribbons and condolence books in their offices, while staff uniforms in hotels and airlines may shift temporarily to darker tones.
Television channels will broadcast tribute documentaries and classical music instead of colourful shows or advertisements.
Visitors to Thailand during this time should be mindful of the deep respect Thais feel for the royal family and observe appropriate dress and behavior in public.
In the months ahead, the strength of Thailand’s tourism lies not in noise but in nuance, not in celebration but in shared humanity.
The nation mourns together, yet continues to welcome the world with grace, dignity, and warmth, qualities Queen Sirikit herself embodied throughout her life.
A personal reflection from Hua Hin
As I write these words, I find myself in the royal seaside town of Hua Hin, sometimes affectionately called the Royal City.
It was here that King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit spent much of their private time away from Bangkok.
The Klai Kangwon Palace, whose name means Far from Worries, remains one of the most cherished royal residences in Thailand.
This quiet coastal town, with its gentle sea breezes and familiar rhythm of waves, holds a deep connection with the Thai royal family, as it was their sanctuary, a place of calm and reflection.
Since the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol, the palace has been used less often by the new King, yet its presence continues to symbolise a bond between the monarchy and the people.
Ironically, this morning when I first heard the news of the Queen’s passing, heavy rain began to fall here in Hua Hin, as if the heavens themselves were weeping.
The skies opened over the sea, soft and gray, as the nation entered a day of mourning.
It felt as though nature, too, shared in our sorrow.
The post The End of an Era: Thailand Mourns the Passing of Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother appeared first on Travel Daily Media.
Source: traveldailymedia