Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit Dies at 93, Known as the Green Queen

Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, renowned for her work in rural development, traditional crafts, and environmental conservation, passed away at the age of 93, the Royal Household Bureau announced on Friday. She had been receiving long-term care at a Bangkok hospital after battling a blood infection since October 17. Despite intensive treatment, her condition deteriorated.

Sirikit, wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thailand’s revered monarch who ruled for seven decades, remained a beloved figure throughout the country. Her portrait adorned homes, offices, and temples, and her birthday on August 12 was celebrated as Thailand’s Mother’s Day.

Widely recognized as the “Green Queen,” Sirikit’s legacy spans humanitarian work and environmental protection. She helped Cambodian refugees, launched income-generating initiatives for rural women, and campaigned to save Thailand’s forests. She also played a significant role in preserving traditional crafts through her SUPPORT Foundation, established in 1976, which trained villagers in silk weaving, jewelry making, ceramics, and other artisanal skills, creating sustainable livelihoods while safeguarding Thailand’s cultural heritage.

Born Sirikit Kitiyakara in Bangkok on August 12, 1932, she hailed from an aristocratic family tied to the Chakri dynasty. Educated in war-torn Bangkok and later in France, she met King Bhumibol in Paris at age 16. After caring for him in Switzerland following a car accident, the couple married in 1950, pledging to “reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people.” They had four children, including the current King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Beyond her humanitarian and environmental work, Queen Sirikit’s presence was politically significant. Her public appearances sometimes drew scrutiny amid Thailand’s decades-long political debates, reflecting the complex role of the monarchy in national affairs.

Throughout her life, Sirikit traveled extensively to villages, personally engaging with citizens’ struggles, from family disputes to health concerns, and supported programs addressing rural poverty, opium addiction, and local insurgencies. Her compassionate approach and commitment to Thailand’s people cemented her status as one of the country’s most influential and respected royal figures.

Queen Mother Sirikit leaves behind a lasting legacy of philanthropy, cultural preservation, and environmental advocacy, remembered fondly as a champion of Thailand’s rural communities and traditional heritage.