PM Modi Mourns Queen Sirikit: Thailand's Beloved Queen Mother Dies at 93

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother of Thailand. Her lifelong dedication to public service will continue to inspire generations. My heartfelt condolences to His Majesty The King, the members of the Royal Family and the people of Thailand in this hour of profound grief," PM Modi said in a post on social media platform X.

In his virtual address to the 22nd ASEAN Summit 2025, PM Modi extended his condolences over the demise of Queen Sirikit. "On the passing of Thailand's Queen Mother, I express my deepest condolences on behalf of all Indians to the Thai royal family and the people of Thailand," he said.

The widow of King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away on Friday in Bangkok at the age of 93.

The royal palace said the cause was complications of blood sepsis.

King Bhumibol, the world's longest-serving head of state, died in 2016. He was succeeded by the couple's son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Sirikit Kitiyakara was born on August 12, 1932, the second child of Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara and Mom Luang Bua Snidvongs, an actress and royal courtier. She spent her teenage years in Britain and France and met the young King Bhumibol while he was studying in Switzerland, just before he returned to Thailand for his formal coronation according to a report in the NYT.

In addition to her son, Sirikit is survived by her three daughters and a sister, Busba Kitiyakara Sathanapong. Sirikit's birthday is celebrated in Thailand as Mother's Day, a national holiday.

King Vajiralongkorn has directed members of the royal family to observe a year-long mourning period, the palace announced.

- ANI