View source for Sirikit

{{Short description|Longest-serving Queen of Thailand from 1950 to 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Distinguish|SiriKit}}
{{Infobox royalty
| consort        = yes
| name           = {{ubl|Sirikit|{{nobold|{{lang|th|สิริกิติ์}}}}}}
| title          = Queen Mother of Thailand 
| image          = Queen_Sirikit_1960.jpg|
| caption        = Sirikit in 1960
| succession     = [[List of Thai royal consorts|Queen consort of Thailand]]
| reign          = 28 April 1950 – {{nowrap|13 October 2016}}
| coronation     = 5 May 1950
| cor-type       = [[Coronation of the Thai monarch#Installation of the queen|Coronation]]
| birth_name     = [[Mom Rajawongse]] Sirikit Kitiyakara
| birth_date     = {{birth date|df=y|1932|8|12}}
| birth_place    = [[Bangkok]], Siam
| death_date     = {{death date and age|df=y|2025|10|24|1932|8|12}}
| death_place    = Bangkok, Thailand
| spouse         = {{marriage|[[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] (Rama IX)|28 April 1950|13 October 2016|end=[[Death and funeral of Bhumibol Adulyadej|died]]}}
| issue          = {{ubl
  | [[Ubol Ratana]]
  | [[Vajiralongkorn]] (Rama X)
  | [[Sirindhorn]]
  | [[Chulabhorn]]
}}
| issue-link     = #Issue
| issue-pipe     = Detail
| house        = [[House of Mahidol|Mahidol]] ([[Chakri dynasty]])
| father         = [[Nakkhatra Mangala]]
| mother         = [[Bua Kitiyakara|Bua Snidvongs]]
| religion       = [[Theravada Buddhism]]
| signature      = Queen Sirikit Signature.svg
}}
'''Sirikit'''{{efn|{{langx|th|สิริกิติ์}}, {{IPA|th|sì.rì.kìt|pron}} {{Audio|Th-Queen Sirikit.ogg|listen}}.}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Rare royal photos of Queen Sirikit released for 90th birthday |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/royal/40018859 |access-date=6 August 2023 |work=Nation Thailand |date=13 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref> (born '''[[Mom Rajawongse]] Sirikit Kitiyakara''';{{efn|{{langx|th|สิริกิติ์ กิติยากร}}; {{RTGS|Sirikit Kitiyakon}}.}} 12 August 1932 – 24 October 2025) was [[List of Thai royal consorts|Queen of Thailand]] from 28 April 1950 to 13 October 2016 as the wife of [[King Bhumibol Adulyadej]] (Rama IX).

Sirikit met Bhumibol in [[Paris]] where her father served as the Thai ambassador to France. They married in 1950, shortly before Bhumibol's coronation. In 1956, she was appointed [[Regent of Thailand|queen regent]] during the King's temporary ordination as a [[Buddhist monk]]. The royal couple had four children: [[Ubol Ratana]], [[Vajiralongkorn]] (Rama X), [[Sirindhorn]], and [[Chulabhorn]]. As consort to the monarch who became the world's longest-reigning head of state, she held the distinction of being the world's longest-serving queen consort.

Sirikit suffered a [[stroke]] in 2012 and subsequently withdrew from public life. [[Death and funeral of Sirikit|She died]] on 24 October 2025 at the age of 93.<ref>[https://world.thaipbs.or.th/detail/queen-sirikit-the-queen-mother-passes-away-at-93/59310 HM Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, passes away at 93]</ref><ref>[https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40057268 Royal Household announces the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother]</ref>

==Early life and family==
Sirikit Kitiyakara was born on 12 August 1932, at the home of Lord Vongsanuprabhand, her maternal grandfather. She was the eldest daughter and the third child of Prince [[Nakkhatra Mangala|Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara]], the son of Prince [[Kitiyakara Voralaksana]], and [[Mom Luang]] [[Bua Kitiyakara|Bua Snidvongs]] (1909–1999). Her name, which was given by Queen [[Rambai Barni]], means "the greatness of Kitiyakara".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.silpa-mag.com/club/art-and-culture/article_19343 |title=สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ พระราชินีและ "แม่" ของไทย – ศิลปวัฒนธรรม |access-date=29 August 2018 |archive-date=29 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072201/https://www.silpa-mag.com/club/art-and-culture/article_19343 |url-status=live }}{{nonspecific|date=May 2020}}</ref>

She had three siblings, two elder brothers and a younger sister:{{cn|date=October 2025}}
* ''Mom Rajawongse'' [[Kalyanakit Kitiyakara]], (20 September 1929 – 15 May 1987)
* ''Mom Rajawongse'' [[Adulakit Kitiyakara]] (2 November 1930 – 5 May 2004)
* ''Than Phu Ying'' [[Busba Kitiyakara]] (born 2 August 1934)

Sirikit was raised by her maternal grandparents for a year after her birth, since her father was in the United States to work as the Secretary of the Siamese Legation at Washington D.C. Her mother joined her husband three months later. When she was one year old, her parents returned to Thailand. Sirikit lived together with her family in [[Deves Palace]], near the [[Chao Phraya River]] in [[Bangkok]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://campus.campus-star.com/variety/52926.html |title=พระราชประวัติการศึกษา สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ฯ {{!}} รอยยิ้มของในหลวง ร.9 |date=18 October 2017 |access-date=29 August 2018 |archive-date=29 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072319/https://campus.campus-star.com/variety/52926.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

As a child, Sirikit often visited her paternal grandmother. Once in 1933, she travelled with Princess [[Absornsaman Devakula]] following [[King Prajadhipok]]'s tour in [[Songkhla]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://lifestyle.campus-star.com/knowledge/129883.html|title = สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ฯ – แขกเลี้ยงวัวทำนาย เด็กผู้หญิงคนนี้มีบุญวาสนาเป็นราชินี|date = 11 August 2018|access-date = 29 August 2018|archive-date = 29 August 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072321/https://lifestyle.campus-star.com/knowledge/129883.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

== Life ==
===Education===
At age four, Sirikit attended the Kindergarten at [[Rajini School]] (Queen's College in English), where she studied at the primary level. During that time the [[Pacific War]] was being fought. Bangkok was bombed many times, especially the rail lines, making travel unsafe. She therefore moved to [[Saint Francis Xavier Convent School]], since it was near the palace. She studied at Saint Francis Xavier from her second primary year through the early secondary level.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://campus.campus-star.com/variety/52926.html |title=พระราชประวัติการศึกษา สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ฯ {{!}} รอยยิ้มของในหลวง ร.9 |date=18 October 2017 |access-date=29 August 2018 |archive-date=29 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072319/https://campus.campus-star.com/variety/52926.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.naewna.com/lady/437644 |title=สมาคมศิษย์เซนต์ฟรังฯ จัดพิธีบูชาขอบพระคุณ ถวายพระพรแด่ สมเด็จพระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114015512/https://www.naewna.com/lady/437644 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1946, with the war over, her father moved to the United Kingdom as the ambassador to the [[Court of St James's]], taking his family with him. Sirikit was then 13 and completed her secondary education. While in England she learned to play the piano and became fluent in English and French. Because of her father's work as a diplomat, the family moved to other countries, including [[Denmark]] and France. While in France, she studied at a music academy in Paris.{{cn|date=October 2025}}

Also in France, Sirikit met [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]], who was related to her, since both were descendants of King [[Chulalongkorn]] (Rama V). At that time, Bhumibol had ascended to the throne and was studying in [[Switzerland]]. Bhumibol and Sirikit (as well as a few other students) were staying at the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris. Sirikit accompanied the king as he visited various tourist attractions, and they found that they had much in common.{{cn|date=October 2025}}

===Marriage===
[[File:ราชาภิเษกสมรส2.jpg|thumb|Marriage of Sirikit and Bhumibol on 28 April 1950]]
On 4 October 1948, while Bhumibol was driving a [[Fiat 500 "Topolino"|Fiat Topolino]] on the [[Geneva]]–[[Lausanne]] highway, he collided with the rear of a braking truck 10&nbsp;km outside of Lausanne. He injured his back and incurred cuts on his face that cost him most of the sight in one eye.<ref name=handley>Handley, Paul M. (2006). [https://books.google.com/books?id=nDspKDZkgcQC&pg=PA104 ''The King Never Smiles: A Biography of Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej''], pp. 103–4. Yale University Press.</ref> He subsequently wore an [[ocular prosthetic]]. While he was hospitalised in Lausanne, Sirikit visited him frequently. She met his mother, [[Srinagarindra|The Princess Mother Sangwan]], who asked her to continue her studies nearby so that the king could get to know her better. Bhumibol selected a boarding school for her in Lausanne, Riante Rive. A quiet engagement in Lausanne followed on 19 July 1949,<ref name=handley/> and the couple married on 28 April 1950,<ref>{{citation |last=Commire |first=Anne |page=381 |title=Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia |date=2002 |publisher=Yorkin Publications |isbn=978-0-7876-4073-6 |language=en}}</ref> just a week before his coronation.

The marriage took place at [[Srapathum Palace]]. [[Savang Vadhana|Queen Sri Savarindira, the Queen Grandmother]] presided over the marriage ceremony. Both the king and Sirikit signed on line 11 of their certificate of marriage. As she was not yet 18, her parents also signed, on line 12 directly under her signature. She later received the [[Order of the Royal House of Chakri]], and became queen. After the [[Coronation of the Thai monarch|coronation ceremony]] on 5 May 1950, both went back to Switzerland to continue their studies, and returned to Bangkok in 1952.

===Regency===
When the king undertook the traditional period as a [[Bhikkhu|Buddhist monk]] in 1956, Queen Sirikit acted as regent.<ref>Handley (2006), p. 131-32.</ref>

[[File:Pramuan Phap Song Phanuat (1956, p 07).jpg|thumb|left|Queen Sirikit taking an oath of office at the [[Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall]] on 20 September 1956]]
She took an oath of office amongst the [[House of Representatives (Thailand)|House of Representatives]] convened at the [[Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall]] on 20 September 1956 when she was appointed regent by her husband.

She performed her duties so well that she was officially named the [[Regent of Thailand]] and the King gave her the title 'Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat' on his birthday, 5 December 1956. She became the second Siamese queen regent in Thai history. The first was [[Saovabha Phongsri|Queen Saovabha Phongsri of Siam]], who served as regent when her husband King [[Chulalongkorn]] travelled to Europe, and later became Queen Sri Patcharindra.<ref>[https://www.th-hellomagazine.com/royalty-news/2-greatest-queen-of-thailand/ สมเด็จพระบรมราชินีนาถ 2 พระองค์แห่งกรุงรัตนโกสินทร์]</ref>

===Issue===
Sirikit and Bhumibol had four children, thirteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/thai/articles/clyg38l4pr2o ประกาศสำนักพระราชวัง สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ พระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง สวรรคต]</ref>

===Health issues and death===
{{main|Death and funeral of Sirikit}}

[[File:2025-10-26 Thai flag at half staff in mourning of Queen Sirikit - img 06.jpg|thumb|A [[Flag of Thailand|Thai national flag]] flying at [[half-mast]] on 26 October 2025 at a hospital in [[Si Samrong district|Si Samrong]]]]

At dawn on 21 July 2012, Sirikit felt unsteady and staggered while exercising at [[Siriraj Hospital]], where her husband resided. After performing [[magnetic resonance imaging]], a team of physicians determined that she had suffered an [[ischemic stroke]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Statement of the Bureau of the Royal Household, Re: Her Majesty the Queen falls ill at Siriraj Hospital, dated 21 July 2012. | url = http://www.brh.thaigov.net/information/Buket%20Data/2012/2012_07/2012_07_27/S102_23072012.pdf | publisher = [[Bureau of the Royal Household]] | date = 21 July 2012 | access-date = 5 December 2012 | language = th | archive-date = 3 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232513/http://www.brh.thaigov.net/information/Buket%20Data/2012/2012_07/2012_07_27/S102_23072012.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref> She refrained from further public appearances due to her treatment, including the grand audience granted by her husband on his 85th birthday from the [[Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall|Ananta Samakhom Hall]] on 5 December 2012.<ref>{{cite web | title = Statement of the Bureau of the Royal Household, Re: Her Majesty the Queen falls ill at Siriraj Hospital, No. 12, dated 4 December 2012. | url = https://dl.dropbox.com/u/51935956/2012/201212/2012_12_04/Queen902_04122555_1.pdf | publisher = Bureau of the Royal Household | date = 4 December 2012 | access-date = 5 December 2012 | language = th }}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On 29 November 2016, the palace announced that the queen had been discharged from the hospital and returned to the [[Chitralada Royal Villa]] for recovery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.matichon.co.th/news/377793|title=แถลงการณ์สำนักพระราชวัง "พระราชินี" พระอาการทั่วไปดีขึ้นมาก เสด็จกลับประทับพระตำหนักจิตรลดาฯ|date=29 November 2016|access-date=29 November 2016|location=Bangkok|language=th|work=Matichon|archive-date=30 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130035042/http://www.matichon.co.th/news/377793|url-status=live}}</ref>

Sirikit died at the [[King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital]] at 21:21 [[Time in Thailand|ICT]] (14:21 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]) on 24 October 2025, at the age of 93. The Thai Royal Household Bureau reported that she had died due to complications from a [[blood infection]] after being hospitalized since 17 October. A year-long mourning period for government officials, as well as a 90-day mourning period for the general public, in her memory was declared by her son, King [[Vajiralongkorn]], and Thai prime minister [[Anutin Charnvirakul]].<ref name=mourninghalfmastdeclaration>{{cite news|title=PM announces year-long mourning for government officials, 90 days for the public, following Queen Sirikit's passing|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40057287|accessdate=26 October 2025|work=[[The Nation (Thailand)|The Nation]]|date=24 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/25/thailands-queen-mother-sirikit-dead-at-93-palace|title=Thailand mourns as beloved Queen Mother Sirikit dies at 93|work=Al Jazeera|date=25 October 2025|access-date=25 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Mydans |first=Seth |date=24 October 2025 |title=Sirikit, Glamorous Former Queen of Thailand Who Wielded Power, Dies at 93 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/world/asia/queen-sirikit-thailand-dead.html |access-date=24 October 2025 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Flags in Thailand were also ordered to fly at [[half-mast]] for 30 days.<ref name=mourninghalfmastdeclaration /> Her remains were laid in state in the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall of the Grand Palace in a royal coffin similar to that of her husband's beginning on Sunday, 26 October.

==Cultural status==
Sirikit's birthday, like King Bhumibol's, is a national holiday, and is also [[Mother's Day]] in Thailand. She was particularly revered in the more remote and traditional parts of the country, where the monarchy is regarded as semi-divine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 October 2016 |title=A Look at Prominent Members of Thailand's Royal Family |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/prominent-members-thailands-royal-family/3550805.html |access-date=24 October 2025 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=October 2025}} Her work in promoting [[Toleration|tolerance]] and understanding for the [[Muslim]] minorities in the southernmost provinces of [[Pattani Province|Pattani]], [[Yala Province|Yala]], and [[Narathiwat Province|Narathiwat]] made her especially popular amongst [[Islam in Thailand|Thai Muslims]].{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} The queen had a strong bond with [[southern Thailand]], and she formerly spent months in the Muslim-majority provinces every year.<ref>{{citation | first = Kylie | last = Morris | date = 16 November 2004 | contribution= Thai Queen's plea to end violence |publisher=BBC | title = News | place = UK | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4017485.stm | access-date =7 July 2008}}.</ref>

==Books and writing==
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2025}}
Queen Sirikit published ''In Memory of my European Trip'' in 1964, which described her time in Europe with the king. She also composed songs for performance by [[The Handsome (Thailand's band)|The Handsome Band]], the band of the palace.

The songs she composed were:
* Chao Chom Khwan (เจ้าจอมขวัญ)
* That Thoe (ทาสเธอ)
* Sai Yut (สายหยุด)
* Nang Yaem (นางแย้ม)
==Honours and awards==
{{Infobox manner of address
|royal name = {{ubl|Queen Sirikit|The Queen Mother}}
|image = Standard of HM Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother of Thailand.svg 
|size = 150px
|dipstyle = [[Majesty|Her Majesty]]
|offstyle = Your Majesty
|background = #00B2EA
|color = #FFFFFF
}}

[[File:Royal Monogram of Queen Sirikit.svg|thumb|180px|Royal monogram of Queen Sirikit]]
[[File:Royal Flag of Queen Sirikit.svg|thumb|right|250px|Royal standard of Queen Sirikit, with her cypher on a light blue background (the [[Colors of the day in Thailand|color of the day]] of her birthday), often flown in August (near her birthday and Mothers' Day).]]

In 1976, the Thai government honoured the queen by declaring her birthday on 12 August a national holiday.<ref>Forbes, Andrew (2010). [https://books.google.com/books?id=Q_lPeA06wHcC&pg=PA35 ''DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Thailand's Beaches & Islands''], p. 35. Dorling Kindersley Limited.</ref>

===Volunteer Defence Corps of Thailand Rank===
* Volunteer Defence Corps General<ref>{{Cite web | title=PDF|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2525/D/004/1.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627202418/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2525/D/004/1.PDF|archive-date=27 June 2018}}</ref>

===Foreign honours===
{{refimprove|section|date=October 2025}}
*{{flag|Austria}}: Grand Cross, Special Class of the [[Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria|Order of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf | title = Reply to a parliamentary question | language = de | page = 171 | access-date = 12 October 2012 | archive-date = 1 May 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200501061109/https://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref>
*{{Flag|Belgium}}: Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of Leopold (Belgium)|Order of Leopold I]]
*{{Flag|Brunei}}: Dame of the [[Family Order of Laila Utama|Most Esteemed Family Order of Laila Utama]]
*{{Flag|Chile}}: Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of Merit (Chile)|Order of Merit]]
*{{Flag|Denmark}}: Knight of the [[Order of the Elephant]]
*{{Flagicon|Ethiopian Empire}} [[Solomonic dynasty|Ethiopian Imperial Family]]: Dame Grand Cordon with Collar of the [[Order of the Queen of Sheba|Imperial Order of the Queen of Sheba]]
*{{Flag|Egypt}}: Supreme Class of the [[Order of the Virtues (Egypt)|Order of the Virtues]]
*{{Flag|Germany}}: Grand Cross, Special Class of the [[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
*{{Flagicon|Kingdom of Greece}} [[Greek Royal Family]]: Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of Beneficence|Royal Order of Beneficence]]
*{{Flag|Indonesia}}: [[Star of Mahaputera]], 1st Class
*{{Flagicon|Pahlavi dynasty}} [[House of Pahlavi|Iranian Imperial Family]]: Dame Grand Cordon, Special Class of the [[Order of the Pleiades (Iran)|Imperial Order of the Pleiades]]
*{{flag|Italy}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=32901 | title = S.M. Sirikit Regina di Tailandia, Cavaliere di Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana | language = it | access-date = 8 May 2013 | archive-date = 28 September 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130928084113/http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=32901 | url-status = live }}</ref>
*{{Flag|Japan}}: Dame Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Precious Crown]]
*[[Laos]]
**{{Flagicon|Kingdom of Laos}} [[Lao Royal Family]]: Dame Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol]]
**{{Flag|Laos}}: Order of Phoxay Lane Xang
*{{Flag|Luxembourg}}: Dame of the [[Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau]]
*{{Flag|Malaysia}}: Dame Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Crown of the Realm|Most Exalted Order of the Crown of the Realm]]
**{{Flag|Selangor}}: First Class of the [[Royal Family Order of Selangor|Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Selangor]]
**{{Flag|Terengganu}}: First Class of the [[Family Order of Terengganu|Most Distinguished Family Order of Terengganu]]
**{{Flag|Kelantan}}: Recipient of the [[Royal Family Order of Kelantan|Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Kelantan]]
*{{Flag|Kingdom of Nepal}}: Member Grand Cross of the [[Nepal Pratap Bhaskara|Order of Honour]]
*{{Flag|Netherlands}}: Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Netherlands Lion|Order of the Lion of the Netherlands]]
*{{Flag|Norway}}: Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of St. Olav|Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav]]
*{{Flag|Philippines}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the [[Order of the Golden Heart (Philippines)|Order of the Golden Heart]]
*{{Flag|Portugal}}: 
**Grand Cross of the [[Order of Saint James of the Sword|Military Order of Saint James of the Sword]]
**Grand Cross of the [[Order of Prince Henry]]
*{{Flag|Romania}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Star of Romania]]
*{{flag|Spain}}:
**Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of Charles III|Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III]] (13 November 1987)<ref name="boe2">{{cite web|url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1987/11/17/pdfs/A34217-34217.pdf|title=Boletín Oficial del Estado|publisher=boe.es|access-date=6 September 2015|archive-date=1 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301215634/https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1987/11/17/pdfs/A34217-34217.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
**Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of Isabella the Catholic|Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic]] (3 November 1960)<ref name="boe">{{cite web |url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1960/11/14/pdfs/A15729-15729.pdf |title=Boletín Oficial del Estado |publisher=boe.es |access-date=6 September 2015 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831204925/http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/1960/11/14/pdfs/A15729-15729.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{Flag|Sweden}}: Member Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Seraphim|Royal Order of the Seraphim]]
*{{flag|Taiwan}}: Grand Cross of the [[Order of Propitious Clouds]] (1963)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://taiwantoday.tw/print.php?unit=4&post=7204|title=Two Ancient Lands Strengthen Their Ties|date=1 July 1963|access-date=13 April 2020|website=[[Taiwan Today]]|quote=President Chiang decorated King Bhumibol with the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Jade and Queen Sirikit with the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Propitious Clouds.|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219052733/https://taiwantoday.tw/print.php?unit=4&post=7204|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://taiwantoday.tw/AMP/politics/taiwan-review/7196/royal-friends-from-thailand Royal Friends from Thailand]</ref>

===Eponyms===
Queen Sirikit was well known for her charitable work.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 October 2025 |title=Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit, influential style icon, dies at 93 |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/25/asia-pacific/thailand-queen-sirikit-obituary/ |access-date=25 October 2025 |website=The Japan Times |language=en}}</ref> She was the honorary president of the [[Thai Red Cross Society]], a post she had held since 1956. She gained new prominence in this role in the aftermath of the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|tsunami disaster in southern Thailand]] in December 2004. She was also active in relief work for the many refugees from [[Cambodia]] and [[Myanmar]] in Thailand.

Many things in Thailand have been named after the Queen:
* [[Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health]], children's hospital
* [[Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital]], [[Royal Thai Navy]] military hospital in [[Chonburi province]]
* Queen Sirikit Medical Center, [[Ramathibodi Hospital]]
* Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer, a new 10-storey hospital in Bangkok
* [[Queen Sirikit National Convention Center]] in [[Bangkok]]
** [[Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT station]]
* [[Queen Sirikit Park]] in Bangkok
* [[Sirikit Dam]] on the [[Nan River]], [[Uttaradit Province]]
* [[Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden]], [[Chiang Mai Province]]<ref>Ridout, Lucy (2009). [https://books.google.com/books?id=3gkBKBKSu-wC&pg=PA357 ''The Rough Guide to Thailand''], p. 357. Penguin.</ref>
* [[Queen Sirikit Arboretum Garden]], [[Pathum Thani Province]]
* [[Queen Sirikit Cup]], an annual Asian-Pacific golfing event
* [[Queen Sirikit Crab]] (''Thaiphusa sirikit'')
* [[Rosa "Queen Sirikit"|Queen Sirikit Rose]]
* [[Queen's Cup (football)|Queen's Cup]], annual football competition
* Fort Sirikit, a military encampment, the headquarters of the Artillery Division of the [[Royal Thai Army]].

The queen was also active in promoting Thai culture and history, mainly through her initiative in the making of the Thai movie ''[[The Legend of Suriyothai]]'', one of the most lavish and expensive Thai movies ever made.<ref>{{citation |publisher=BBC | place = UK | title = News | date = 23 November 2001 | contribution = Thailand's Suriyothai beats Titanic | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1672246.stm | access-date =7 July 2008}}.</ref>

==Genealogical table==
{{chart top|Relationship with Bhumibol Adulyadej and Sirikit<ref>{{cite book |last1=Finestone |first1=Jeffrey |title=The Royal Family of Thailand: The Descendants of King Chulalongkorn |date=1989 |publisher=New Cavendish Books |isbn=978-09-04568-88-2}}</ref>}}
{{Tree chart/start|align=center}}
{{Tree chart|border=0| | Savang |~|y|~| Rama5 |~|y|~| Uam | | | |Savang=[[Savang Vadhana]]|Rama5=[[Chulalongkorn]]<br>(Rama V)|Uam=Uam Bisalayabutra}}
{{Tree chart|border=0| | | | | |!| | | | | |`|-|-|-|.| | }}
{{Tree chart|border=0| | | | | |!| | | | | Grandma |y| Kitiyakara | | |Grandma=Apsarasaman Devakula |Kitiyakara=[[Kitiyakara Voralaksana]]}}
{{Tree chart|border=0| | | | | |!| | | | | | | |!}}
{{Tree chart|border=0| Srinagarindra |y| Mahidol | | Bua |y| Nakkhatra |Srinagarindra=[[Srinagarindra]]|Mahidol=[[Mahidol Adulyadej]]|Bua=[[Bua Kitiyakara]]|Nakkhatra=[[Nakkhatra Mangala]]}}
{{Tree chart|border=0| | | |!| | | | | | | |!}}
{{Tree chart|border=0| | | Rama9 | | | | | | Sirikit | | | |Rama9=[[Bhumibol Adulyadej]]<br>(Rama IX)|Sirikit=Sirikit}}
{{Tree chart/end}}
{{chart bottom}}

== See also ==
* [[List of covers of Time magazine (1960s)]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikisource|works=about}}
* {{IMDb name| 1650951}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Thai consorts|Queen consort of Thailand]]|years=1950–2016}}
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{{S-bef|before=[[Bhumibol Adulyadej|King Rama IX]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=Eldest Royal Member of the Chakri Dynasty|years = 2016–2025}}
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{{S-ttl|title= President of [[Thai Red Cross Society]]|years=1956–2025}}
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{{Queens and Consorts of Thailand}}
{{History of Thailand 1932 - 1973}}
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