BANGKOK:
Thailand’s former Queen Sirikit, the mother of current King Vajiralongkorn and wife of the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, died on Friday at the age of 93, the palace said.
Sirikit — the wife of deceased King Bhumibol Adulyadej who ruled from 1946 until 2016 — died late Friday, the palace said in a statement.
“Her majesty’s condition worsened until Friday and she passed away at 9:21 pm… at Chulalongkorn hospital at age 93,” said the palace statement.
Sirikit had “suffered several illnesses” while hospitalised since 2019, including a blood infection this month, it added.
In the 1960s, she met US presidents and stars including Elvis Presley and was repeatedly featured on Western magazine covers.