Thailand begins a full year of mourning over the death of Queen Sirikit news

Today, Sunday, Thailand began a full year of official mourning for the death of Queen Sirikit, the mother of the current King Maha Wajiralinghorn, who died the day before yesterday, Friday, at the age of 93, after a struggle with illness.

The body of the late Queen will lie in a small chapel inside the Royal Palace in Bangkok for an entire year, before the traditional cremation ceremony is held, according to what the Royal Palace announced in an official statement.

Thousands of citizens gathered in the streets of the capital, Bangkok, this morning to bid farewell to the Queen Mother as the royal motorcade passed by, transporting her body from Chulalongkorn Hospital to the Royal Palace.

Participants raised pictures of the Queen and baskets of flowers, while most of them wore black clothes as an expression of sadness and respect.

Flags were flown at half-mast across the country, while public celebrations and entertainment activities were suspended during the mourning period. Black expressions of condolence also appeared on digital screens in Bangkok, asking citizens to “be calm and united in this difficult time.”

A symbol of motherhood

Queen Sirikit is one of the most prominent figures in the history of the Thai monarchy, as she was given the title “Mother of the Nation” due to her role in supporting the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who ruled the country for 70 years, and their marriage, which lasted for 66 years.

Since her admission to hospital in 2019, Queen Sirikit has suffered from recurring health problems, including a blood infection, which led to her condition deteriorating in recent weeks.

Despite the decline in her public appearance in recent years, her image remains present in the Thai conscience as a symbol of national motherhood and wisdom. Gilded pictures of the Queen were hung in squares, homes, and government institutions throughout the country as an expression of appreciation and loyalty to her long legacy.