Thai royals mark solemn anniversary

The Thai royal family gathered for a solemn ceremony in Bangkok.

Last week marked the 100th day since the passing of Queen Sirikit. The late Queen Mother died, aged 93, on the 24th October, 2025, following a bloodstream infection at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross, in Bangkok. The remains of the beloved figure of the Thai monarchy were later transferred to the Grand Palace.

Queen Sirikit has been lying in state at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall since last October, allowing members of the public to pay their respects at the Royal Urn. The late Queen Mother is, though, in a coffin on a pedestal just behind the ornately decorated urn.

The photograph above is a commemorative memento given to those who have paid their respects in person at the Grand Palace. Photo: อมฤตาลัย – CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

According to Thai Buddhist royal tradition, the “Abhidhamma prayer ceremony” is performed on designated days following the passing of a person. These include, but are not limited to, the first, tenth, fifteenth, and one-hundredth-day after death.

At 10 am on Saturday, the Thai Royal Anthem was performed and a Royal Salute given by the Guard of Honour as King Rama X (Vajiralongkorn) and Queen Suthida arrived by motorcade. The King and Queen joined Princess Sirivannavari, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Princess Royal, and Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, who were already in the Throne Hall for the 100-day royal merit-making ceremonies.

His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand was also present.

The 100th-day ceremony “dedicates accumulated merit to the deceased, expresses gratitude and remembrance, provides spiritual support for the deceased’s onward journey, and offers a structured period of reflection and emotional healing for those who remain”, according to Thai PBS.

The King and Queen lit incense candles before the royal urn. Their Majesties and the royal family also offered alms (robes) to the assembled Buddhist monks.

Last month, the Prime Minister announced renderings of the Royal Crematorium for Queen Sirikit. At the behest of King Rama X, the symbolic structures will be built in accordance with the highest rank of Thai royal tradition. The Fine Arts Department is tasked with building the deeply meaningful edifices. Once all construction is complete, the King will give his final approval and set a date for the Royal Cremation Ceremony.

We should expect various royal families to be in attendance this autumn. The Royal News Organisation will keep you up to date with all the ceremonies taking place in Thailand.

See the full ceremony below: