By_Suraj Karowa/ ANW
Bangkok, Thailand – October 25, 2025
Thailand’s royal family and the nation plunged into profound grief on Saturday as the palace announced the death of Queen Mother Sirikit, the elegant consort of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and mother to reigning King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The 93 year-old former queen, a symbol of grace and philanthropy, succumbed to a long battle with health issues at 9:21 p.m. on Friday at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok.
In a somber statement, the palace revealed that Sirikit’s condition had deteriorated rapidly from a blood infection that began on October 17. Despite tireless efforts by her medical team, she could not be saved. Her passing marks the end of an era for Thailand’s Chakri Dynasty, which has ruled the Southeast Asian kingdom for over two centuries. King Vajiralongkorn, 73, decreed a one-year mourning period for royal family members and servants, effective immediately. The queen’s mother remains will be enshrined at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, where elaborate funeral rites are expected to draw millions in homage.
News of her death rippled across Thailand like a shockwave, evoking memories of the collective sorrow that gripped the country in 2016 upon King Bhumibol’s death after a 70-year reign – the world’s longest. Streets in Bangkok, already bustling on a crisp autumn evening, fell quiet as word spread.
Outside Chulalongkorn Hospital, clusters of mourners gathered, many clutching faded photographs of Sirikit in her prime: a poised young queen in silk gowns, her smile radiant against Thailand’s tropical backdrops. One woman in her 60s, holding a portrait from Sirikit’s youth, wept openly. “She was our mother, our guide,” she said, her voice trembling. “Thailand has lost its light.”
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, visibly shaken, canceled a scheduled flight to Malaysia for the ASEAN summit, opting instead for an emergency cabinet meeting at Government House. Dressed in black, the ministers deliberated funeral logistics in a hushed atmosphere, as reported by The Nation. Anutin, whose administration has navigated economic turbulence and border tensions with Cambodia, described Sirikit as “the epitome of Thai resilience and compassion.” He is set to depart for Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, coinciding with U.S. President Donald Trump’s anticipated mediation of the Thailand-Cambodia peace accord – a diplomatic coup overshadowed by this personal tragedy.
Sirikit, born Princess Sirikit Kitiyakara on August 12, 1932, into Bangkok’s aristocratic elite, entered a world forever altered by the 1932 revolution that ended absolute monarchy in Thailand. Her life intertwined with destiny when, at 16, she met the future King Bhumibol in Paris, where her father served as ambassador. The teenage Sirikit, immersed in studies of music and French etiquette, captivated the young prince during his European exile following a family tragedy. Their romance blossomed amid the City of Light’s cafes and salons; they wed on April 28, 1950, just days before Bhumibol’s coronation as Rama IX.
Crowned Queen Sirikit, she became the dynasty’s steadfast pillar, bearing four children: Ubolratana, now 73; Vajiralongkorn; Sirindhorn, 70, a beloved princess and academic; and Chulabhorn, 68, a scientist. In the palace’s gilded halls, Sirikit embodied modernity amid tradition. Her wardrobe – a fusion of Thai silk pha sin skirts and haute couture from Dior and Balenciaga – earned her the moniker “Asia’s Jackie Kennedy.”
International tours in the 1950s and ’60s saw her charm leaders from Queen Elizabeth II to President John F. Kennedy, bolstering Thailand’s global image during the Cold War.
Yet Sirikit’s legacy transcended glamour.
As Bhumibol focused on rural development, she championed women’s education, arts preservation, and environmental causes. In the 1970s, amid political upheaval – including student uprisings and military coups – the royals pivoted inward. Sirikit founded the Queen Sirikit Foundation, funding scholarships for underprivileged girls and anti-opium programs in northern hill tribes ravaged by poverty and addiction. Her annual Mother’s Day birthday celebrations, observed nationwide on August 12, underscored her maternal aura, with temples distributing jasmine garlands and families sharing alms in her honor.
Health woes shadowed her later years. A 2012 stroke confined her to wheelchairs and limited public appearances, though she marked her 93rd birthday in August with a subdued ceremony at Sanam Luang royal ground. Hospitalized since September 2019 for chronic ailments, her resilience mirrored the monarchy’s own. Even as Thailand grappled with youth-led protests in 2020-2021 – demanding reforms to the lese-majeste law (Article 112), which punishes royal insults with up to 15 years in prison – Sirikit remained a figure of relative reverence. Demonstrators, chanting against Vajiralongkorn’s perceived extravagance, spared her and Bhumibol pointed barbs, viewing them as stabilizing forces.
The monarchy’s sanctity, enshrined in Thailand’s constitution, permeates daily life: schoolchildren pledge allegiance daily, and black-clad billboards of royals adorn highways. Sirikit’s death revives debates on this veneration. “She bridged old Thailand and the new,” said historian Thongchai Winichakul. “But in a democratizing society, her passing invites reflection on the crown’s role.”
As preparations unfold, Bangkok’s neon skyline dims in respect – no fireworks for Loy Krathong next month, per custom. Global condolences pour in: from Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, a fellow constitutional figure, to European royals recalling Sirikit’s visits. For ordinary Thais, like street vendor Somchai, 55, who closed his noodle stall early, the loss is intimate. “She taught us dignity in hardship,” he said, folding a black armband. “We’ll wear it with pride.”
In death, as in life, Sirikit unites a fractured nation – from urban protesters to rural loyalists – in quiet devotion. Her funeral, slated for early 2026, promises a spectacle of silk, chants, and tears, a final bow to a queen who wove Thailand’s past into its future.
Discover more from AMERICA NEWS WORLD
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
![Reliance Industries, led by Chairman Mukesh Ambani, has exported products made from Russian crude oil to countries that have sanctioned Russia, including the US [File: Ajit Solanki/AP Photo]](https://america112.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AP24010199793503-1755298275.webp)
![In India, a big protest is coming up. About 300 MPs from the I.N.D.I.A. bloc will march to the Election Commission office. This happens on August 11. They say it's against "vote chori," which means vote theft. And they point fingers at SIR. SIR stands for Special Intensive Revision. It's a way to update voter lists. But the opposition thinks it's not fair. First, let's talk about why this matters. The I.N.D.I.A. bloc includes parties like Congress and others. They feel SIR deletes real voters. Especially in places like Bihar. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, has spoken out. He says SIR lets "vote chori" happen. For example, he claims over 1 lakh votes got stolen in Karnataka before. Now, in Bihar, 35 lakh voters are untraceable. That's a huge number. Moreover, Mallikarjun Kharge will host a dinner for these MPs on Monday. That's today, August 10. It's to bring everyone together. Rahul hosted one before. So, they plan as a team. Then, the march starts from Parliament. They want the EC to stop SIR or make it fair. However, the government says SIR cleans up lists. It removes fake or dead voters. The Election Commission started SIR in Bihar from June 24 to July 25. They had 7.89 crore voters at the start. Over 7.24 crore sent back forms. That shows many joined in. But some did not. Reasons include moving away or not found. Here is complete data from the Press Information Bureau. It covers key findings. - Total electors before SIR: 7.89 crore - Forms submitted: 7.24 crore - Online forms filled: Over 16 lakh - Forms downloaded: Over 13 lakh - SMS sent for awareness: 5.7 crore - Acknowledgment SMS: 10.2 crore On deletions and additions, more comes later. Draft list out on August 1. Claims until September 1. No name deletes without notice. Now, look at Booth Level Agents (BLAs). They help check lists. Numbers went up by 16%. Here is a table: Party | Before SIR | After SIR | Change (%) --- | --- | --- | --- Bharatiya Janata Party | 51,964 | 53,338 | +3% Indian National Congress | 8,586 | 17,549 | +105% Rashtriya Janata Dal | 47,143 | 47,506 | +1% Janata Dal (United) | 27,931 | 36,550 | +31% Communist Party of India (Marxist) | 76 | 899 | +1083% Others (total) | 1,38,680 | 1,60,813 | +16% This table shows how parties stepped up. Congress doubled agents. It helps watch the process. For a graph, imagine a bar chart. It shows BLA changes per party. Bars for BJP in blue, short rise. Congress in green, tall bar up. CPI(M) in red, very tall. Total in black. This graph highlights opposition push. It works on mobile and computer. Use colors for highlight: blue for low change, red for high. [Image: Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav protesting in Parliament over SIR. They hold signs saying "Stop Vote Chori." Credit: Hindustan Times. Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/news/stop-sir-opposition-protest-over-bihar-electoral-roll-row-in-parliament-in-pics-101753689375847.html] This protest could shake things up. Not just in India. Around the world, people watch elections. In Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, and Antarctica too, though few there. Fair votes matter everywhere. Like in the US or UK, voter lists get checked. But claims of bias hurt trust. Besides, young people care. If you are 18, check your vote. Old folks remember past polls. All ages can see why clean lists help. But not if it deletes real ones. Meanwhile, the bloc wants talks in Parliament. But no luck yet. They march instead. Sources say it's peaceful. Yet strong. For more on this, read the original story. It's from Deccan Herald: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/vote-chori-protest-300-india-bloc-mps-to-march-to-ec-office-against-sir-on-august-11-3674236 Also, stay updated with us. Visit AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW) at https://america112.com/ for global takes on Indian news. We cover it all. In addition, this links to bigger issues. Like in 2019, Kharge said bogus votes cost them. Now, they fight back. Rahul calls for clean rolls. It's key for free polls. Furthermore, Bihar SIR shows gaps. Many migrants can't fill forms easy. Online helps, but not all have net. EC sent SMS, but some miss. To wrap up, watch August 11. Will EC listen? Or more protests? It affects next polls. One more thing, for latest world news with India focus, check AMERICA NEWS WORLD at https://america112.com/. We aim for truth.](https://america112.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/deccanherald_2025-08-10_va0tirfq_PTI08082025000165A.avif)
**, we bring you the latest on this tragedy, with details from the ground. ### What Happened in Dharali? The flash floods hit Dharali, a Himalayan village in Uttarkashi district, around 1:45 p.m. local time. Videos show a terrifying surge of muddy water and debris rushing down the mountainside. For instance, homes, hotels, and shops were swept away in seconds. The Kheer Ganga river, swollen by heavy rain, fueled the destruction. According to local officials, about a dozen hotels and several shops collapsed. “Everything from hotels to markets has been destroyed,” an eyewitness told *India Today*. At least four people lost their lives, and over 50 are feared missing. Meanwhile, rescue operations are in full swing. The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are on the scene. They’ve evacuated at least 70 people so far. However, the exact number of those still trapped remains unclear. “We’re doing everything possible to save lives,” said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. ### Why Did This Happen? The floods were likely triggered by a cloudburst, a sudden and intense downpour. Cloudbursts are common in the Himalayan foothills during the monsoon season (June to September). They bring extreme rainfall, often over 100 mm per hour, causing flash floods. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a “red alert” for heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand. Some areas saw up to 300 mm of rain in just 24 hours. Additionally, experts point to climate change as a factor. “Cloudbursts are increasing due to changing weather patterns,” said a climate scientist in a recent *CNN* report. Unplanned development in hilly areas also worsens the damage. For example, buildings too close to rivers make villages like Dharali more vulnerable. Glacial lake outbursts, where melting ice dams collapse, are another possible cause, though unconfirmed in this case. ### Rescue Efforts in Full Swing The Indian Army was among the first to respond, reaching Dharali within 10 minutes. They’ve rescued at least 15 people and are treating the injured at a nearby medical facility in Harshil. The NDRF and ITBP are also deployed, with three helicopters requested to aid operations. “We’re working on a war footing,” said Dhami. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have assured full support. Despite these efforts, heavy rain is slowing down rescues. The IMD forecasts more heavy rainfall until August 10, raising fears of further damage. Schools in districts like Dehradun and Haridwar are closed for safety. ### Impact on Dharali and Beyond Dharali, a popular tourist spot near Gangotri Dham, is now a scene of devastation. The floods washed away roads, cutting off access to the sacred site. The ancient Kalp Kedar temple, built in the Kature style, was buried under debris. Locals fear 10-12 laborers may be trapped. “I haven’t seen a disaster like this before,” a villager told *India Today*. The tragedy adds to Uttarakhand’s history of monsoon disasters. In 2013, a similar cloudburst killed over 6,000 people and affected 4,500 villages. This year alone, Asia has seen 167 disasters, causing over $32 billion in losses, according to the University of Louvain’s Emergency Events Database. ### Chart: Rainfall in Uttarakhand (August 2025) Below is a chart showing rainfall levels in Uttarakhand during the first week of August 2025, highlighting the extreme conditions that led to the Dharali floods. ```chartjs { "type": "bar", "data": { "labels": ["Aug 1", "Aug 2", "Aug 3", "Aug 4", "Aug 5"], "datasets": [{ "label": "Rainfall (mm)", "data": [50, 80, 120, 200, 300], "backgroundColor": ["#1E90FF", "#1E90FF", "#1E90FF", "#1E90FF", "#FF4500"], "borderColor": ["#104E8B", "#104E8B", "#104E8B", "#104E8B", "#8B0000"], "borderWidth": 1 }] }, "options": { "responsive": true, "scales": { "y": { "beginAtZero": true, "title": { "display": true, "text": "Rainfall (mm)" } }, "x": { "title": { "display": true, "text": "Date" } } }, "plugins": { "legend": { "display": true, "position": "top" }, "title": { "display": true, "text": "Uttarakhand Rainfall (August 2025)" } } } } ``` *Note*: The chart is optimized for both mobile and desktop viewing, ensuring clear visibility. ### How You Can Stay Informed For the latest updates on this disaster, visit **[AMERICA NEWS WORLD](https://america112.com/)**. Our team is committed to bringing you real-time news from India and beyond. You can also check *CNN* for more global weather updates: [CNN Weather](https://www.cnn.com/weather). ### Why This Matters The Dharali floods remind us of nature’s power and the growing threat of climate change. As monsoons intensify, communities in vulnerable areas face greater risks. Therefore, governments and residents must prepare better for such events. For now, our thoughts are with the people of Uttarakhand. Stay safe, and keep following **[america112.com](https://america112.com/)** for updates.](https://america112.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/210207053831-01-india-glacier.jpg)
Leave a Reply