WEB DESK: Thailand is in mourning after the royal palace announced the passing of former Queen Sirikit, the mother of the current King Maha Vajiralongkorn and wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was the country’s longest-reigning monarch. Queen Sirikit passed away at the age of 93.
The royal palace confirmed in a statement on Saturday that Her Majesty’s health deteriorated until Friday evening, and she passed away at 9:21 p.m. at Chulalongkorn Hospital. She had been suffering from a blood infection since October 17, and despite the medical team’s efforts, her condition did not improve.
Queen Sirikit was married to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who ruled Thailand for seven decades until his death in 2016.
In the wake of her passing, a government spokesperson announced that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had canceled his scheduled trip to Malaysia for the ASEAN leaders’ summit, set to take place from Sunday to Tuesday. He will now travel to Malaysia on Sunday instead.
On the same day, US President Donald Trump is expected to oversee the signing of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia following rising tensions that broke out into conflict in July.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn has declared a one-year official mourning period for members of the royal family and royal household staff, starting from the date of his mother’s passing.
