Thailand's former queen Sirikit has died aged 93

Queen Sirikit, the mother of King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, has passed away at the age of 93.

She died "peacefully" in a hospital in Bangkok at 21:21 local time (14:21 GMT) on Friday, as reported by the Thai Royal Household Bureau.

Sirikit had been "suffering from multiple illnesses" while hospitalized since 2019, including a blood infection this month, the bureau stated.

For over sixty years, Queen Sirikit was married to Thailand's longest-serving monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away in 2016. During their extensive travels, she was regarded as a fashion icon.
King Vajiralongkorn has instructed the Thai Royal Household Bureau to arrange a royal funeral, as stated in the announcement.

The body of Queen Sirikit will be placed in state at the Dusit Thorne Hall of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, according to the statement.

Members of the Thai royal family will also partake in a year of mourning.