Sirikit
Sirikit
| Sirikit | |
|---|---|
| Queen consort of Thailand | |
| Tenure | 28 April 1950 – 13 October 2016 |
| Coronation | 5 May 1950 |
| Born | 12 August 1932 Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Siam |
| Spouse | Bhumibol Adulyadej(Rama IX) (m.1950; died 2016) |
| Issue | Ubolratana Maha Vajiralongkorn(Rama X) Sirindhorn Chulabhorn |
| House | Mahidol(by marriage) Kitiyakara(by birth) (Chakri dynasty) |
| Father | Nakkhatra Mangala, 2nd Prince of Chanthaburi |
| Mother | Bua Snidvongs |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Signature |  |
| Styles of **Queen Sirikit** | |
 | |
| Reference style | Her Majesty |
| Spoken style | Your Majesty |
Sirikit (Thai: สิริกิติ์; Thai pronunciation: [sì.rì.kìt]; listen ; born Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara (Thai: สิริกิติ์ กิติยากร; RTGS: Sirikit Kitiyakon) on 12 August 1932) is the Queen mother of Thailand. She was the queen consort of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (or Rama IX) and is the mother of King Vajiralongkorn (or Rama X). She met Bhumibol in Paris, where her father was Thai ambassador. They married in 1950, shortly before Bhumibol's coronation. Sirikit was appointed queen regent in 1956, when the king entered the Buddhist monkhood for a period of time. Sirikit has one son and three daughters with the king. Consort of the monarch who was the world's longest-reigning head of state, she was also the world's longest-serving consort. Sirikit suffered a stroke on 21 July 2012 and has since refrained from public appearances.
| Sirikit | |
|---|---|
| Queen consort of Thailand | |
| Tenure | 28 April 1950 – 13 October 2016 |
| Coronation | 5 May 1950 |
| Born | 12 August 1932 Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Siam |
| Spouse | Bhumibol Adulyadej(Rama IX) (m.1950; died 2016) |
| Issue | Ubolratana Maha Vajiralongkorn(Rama X) Sirindhorn Chulabhorn |
| House | Mahidol(by marriage) Kitiyakara(by birth) (Chakri dynasty) |
| Father | Nakkhatra Mangala, 2nd Prince of Chanthaburi |
| Mother | Bua Snidvongs |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Signature | |
| Styles of **Queen Sirikit** | |
| |
| Reference style | Her Majesty |
| Spoken style | Your Majesty |
Early life and family
King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit in 1950
Sirikit was born on 12 August 1932, at the home of Lord Vongsanuprabhand, her maternal grandfather. She is the eldest daughter and the third child of Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara, the son of Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana, and Mom Luang Bua Snidvongs (1909–1999). Her name, which was given by Queen Rambai Barni, means "the greatness of Kitiyakara".[1]
She had three siblings, two elder brothers and a younger sister:
Prof. Mom Rajawongse Kalyanakit Kitiyakara, M.D. (20 September 1929 – 15 May 1987)
Mom Rajawongse Adulakit Kitiyakara (2 November 1930 – 5 May 2004)
Mom Rajawongse 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 Embassy 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, Bangkok.[2]
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.[3]
Education
Queen Sirikit in the Netherlands
At age four, Sirikit attended the Kindergarten College at Rajini School (sometimes called the Queen's College), 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.
In 1946, with the war now 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.
Also in France, Sirikit met King 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 Thai Royal Embassy in Paris. Sirikit accompanied the king as he visited various tourist attractions, and they found that they had much in common.
Marriage
The King and Queen after their wedding, 28 April 1950.
On 4 October 1948, while Bhumibol was driving a Fiat Topolino on the Geneva-Lausanne road, he collided into the rear of a braking truck 10 km outside of Lausanne. He injured his back and incurred cuts on his face that cost him most of the sight in one eye.[4] He subsequently wore an ocular prosthetic. While he was hospitalised in Lausanne, Sirikit visited him frequently. She met his mother, 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,[4] and the couple married on 28 April 1950, just a week before his coronation.
Establishment of the Queen
Sirikit in the Establishment Ceremony of the Queen.
The marriage took place at Srapathum Palace. 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 ceremony on 5 May 1950, both went back to Switzerland to continue their studies, and returned to Bangkok in 1952.
Issue
| Name | Birth | Marriage Date | Spouse | Their Children | Their Grandchildren | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya | 5 April 1951 | 29 July 1981 Divorced 1998 | Peter Ladd Jensen | Ploypailin Jensen | Maximus Wheeler Leonardo Wheeler Airy Wheeler[5] |
| Poom Jensen | |||||
| Sirikitiya Jensen | |||||
| King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Rama X of Thailand | 28 July 1952 | 3 January 1977 Divorced 12 August 1991 | Soamsawali Kitiyakara | Princess Bajrakitiyabha | |
| February 1994 Divorced 1996 | Yuvadhida Polpraserth | Juthavachara Vivacharawongse | |||
| Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse | |||||
| Chakriwat Vivacharawongse | |||||
| Vatchrawee Vivacharawongse | |||||
| Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana | |||||
| 10 February 2001 Divorced 11 December 2014 | Srirasmi Suwadee | Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti | |||
| 1 May 2019 | Suthida Tidjai | ||||
| Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn | 2 April 1955 | Never married | |||
| Princess Chulabhorn Walailak | 4 July 1957 | 1982 Divorced 1996 | Virayudh Tishyasarin | Princess Siribhachudabhorn | |
| Princess Aditayadornkitikhun | |||||
Regency
Queen Sirikit during a parade in New York City, July 1960.
Bhumibol and Sirikit, 1963.
Queen Sirikit in 1981.
Queen Sirikit and Vladimir Putin, 2007.
When the king undertook the traditional period as a Buddhist monk in 1956, Queen Sirikit acted as regent.[6] 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 Queen Saovabha Phongsri of Siam, who served as regent when her husband King Chulalongkorn travelled to Europe, and later became Queen Sri Patcharindra.
Health
At dawn on 21 July 2012 Queen Sirikit felt unsteady and staggered while exercising at Siriraj Hospital where King Bhumibol Adulyadej resided. A team of physicians determined after performing magnetic resonance imaging that she had incurred an ischemic stroke.[7]
The queen has been treated and has refrained from public appearances since, including the grand audience granted by her husband on his 85th birthday from the Ananta Samakhom Hall on 5 December 2012.[8]
On 29 November 2016, the palace announced that the queen was discharged from the hospital and has returned to the Chitralada Royal Villa due to her recovery.[9]
Cultural status
Queen Sirikit's birthday, as is the king's, is a national holiday, and is also Mothers' Day in Thailand. She is particularly revered in the more remote and traditional parts of the country, where the monarchy is regarded as semi-divine. Her work in promoting tolerance and understanding for the Muslim minorities in the southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat have made her especially popular amongst Thai Muslims. The queen has a strong bond with southern Thailand, and she formerly spent months in the Muslim-majority provinces every year. She is considered to be one of the more quiet diplomats.[10]
Books and writing
Personal Standard of Queen Sirikit with her Royal Cypher, often flown in August (near her birthday and Mothers' Day).
Queen Sirikit published In Memory of my European Trip in 1964, which described her time in Europe with the king. It was this book that revealed that she was a talented writer. Moreover, she has composed songs for performance by 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)
Title, styles, honours and awards
Titles
Royal Monogram of Queen Sirikit
Her formal name and title is Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat Phra Borommaracha Chonnani Phanpi Luang Thai: สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ พระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง; "Her Majesty Queen Regent Sirikit, The Queen Mother". Her official title is Queen Mother Sirikit.
At present, the queen ranks as Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet, and Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force, usually mentioned in official documents that: Chom Phon Ying Chom Phon Ruea Ying Chom Phon Akat Ying Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat Thai: จอมพลหญิง จอมพลเรือหญิง จอมพลอากาศหญิง สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ; "Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet, and Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force". The queen held ceremonial supreme power after her husband, who ranked as the Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, in the Royal Thai Army.
12 August 1932 – 28 April 1950: The Honourable (English style) or Mom Rajawongse (Thai style) Sirikit Kitiyakara
28 April 1950 – 5 December 1956: Her Majesty The Queen
22 October 1956 – 5 November 1956: Her Majesty The Queen and Regent of Thailand
5 November 1956 – 13 October 2016: Her Majesty The Queen
13 October 2016 – 5 May 2019: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of the Ninth Reign
5 May 2019 - present: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother
In 1976, the Thai government honored the queen by declaring her birthday a national holiday. The Queen's birthday is celebrated on 12 August each year.[11]
Volunteer Defense Corps of Thailand Rank
Volunteer Defense Corps General[12]
Honours
National honours
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/Flag_of_Thailand.svg/23px-Flag_of_Thailand.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/Flag_of_Thailand.svg/35px-Flag_of_Thailand.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/Flag_of_Thailand.svg/45px-Flag_of_Thailand.svg.png 2x|Thailand|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Thailand :
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Order_of_the_Royal_House_of_Chakri_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/80px-Order_of_the_Royal_House_of_Chakri_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Order_of_the_Royal_House_of_Chakri_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/120px-Order_of_the_Royal_House_of_Chakri_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Order_of_the_Royal_House_of_Chakri_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/160px-Order_of_the_Royal_House_of_Chakri_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 2x|Order of the Royal House of Chakri (Thailand) ribbon.svg|h24|w80]] Dame (star with diamonds) of The Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri[13][14]
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Order_of_the_Nine_Gems_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/80px-Order_of_the_Nine_Gems_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Order_of_the_Nine_Gems_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/120px-Order_of_the_Nine_Gems_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Order_of_the_Nine_Gems_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/160px-Order_of_the_Nine_Gems_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 2x|Order of the Nine Gems (Thailand) ribbon.svg|h24|w80]] Dame of the Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems [15]
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Order_of_Chula_Chom_Klao_-1st_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/80px-Order_of_Chula_Chom_Klao_-1st_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Order_of_Chula_Chom_Klao_-1st_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/120px-Order_of_Chula_Chom_Klao_-1st_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Order_of_Chula_Chom_Klao_-1st_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/160px-Order_of_Chula_Chom_Klao_-1st_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 2x|Order of Chula Chom Klao - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg|h29|w80]] Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao[16][17][18][19]
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Order_of_the_White_Elephant_-Special_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/80px-Order_of_the_White_Elephant_-Special_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Order_of_the_White_Elephant_-Special_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/120px-Order_of_the_White_Elephant_-Special_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Order_of_the_White_Elephant_-Special_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/160px-Order_of_the_White_Elephant_-Special_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 2x|Order of the White Elephant - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg|h26|w80]] Dame Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Order_of_the_Crown_of_Thailand_-Special_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/80px-Order_of_the_Crown_of_Thailand_-Special_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Order_of_the_Crown_of_Thailand_-Special_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/120px-Order_of_the_Crown_of_Thailand_-Special_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Order_of_the_Crown_of_Thailand_-Special_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/160px-Order_of_the_Crown_of_Thailand_-Special_Class%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 2x|Order of the Crown of Thailand - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg|h29|w80]] Dame Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Order_of_the_Direkgunabhorn_1st_class_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/80px-Order_of_the_Direkgunabhorn_1st_class_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Order_of_the_Direkgunabhorn_1st_class_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/120px-Order_of_the_Direkgunabhorn_1st_class_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Order_of_the_Direkgunabhorn_1st_class_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/160px-Order_of_the_Direkgunabhorn_1st_class_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 2x|Order of the Direkgunabhorn 1st class (Thailand) ribbon.svg|h24|w80]] Dame Grand Cross (First Class) of The Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Order_of_Ramkeerati_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png/80px-Order_of_Ramkeerati_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Order_of_Ramkeerati_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png 1.5x|Order of Ramkeerati (Thailand) ribbon.png|h24|w80]] Member (Special Class) of The Order of Symbolic Propitiousness Ramkeerati - Boy Scout Citation Medal
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Freeman_Safeguarding_Medal_-Class_1%28Thailand%29.png/80px-Freeman_Safeguarding_Medal_-Class_1%28Thailand%29.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Freeman_Safeguarding_Medal_-Class_1%28Thailand%29.png 1.5x|Freeman Safeguarding Medal - Class 1 (Thailand).png|h24|w80]] Freeman Safeguarding Medal (First Class)
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Dushdi_Mala_-Civilian%28Thailand%29.svg/80px-Dushdi_Mala_-Civilian%28Thailand%29.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Dushdi_Mala_-Civilian%28Thailand%29.svg/120px-Dushdi_Mala_-Civilian%28Thailand%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Dushdi_Mala_-Civilian%28Thailand%29.svg/160px-Dushdi_Mala_-Civilian%28Thailand%29.svg.png 2x|Dushdi Mala - Civilian (Thailand).svg|h24|w80]] Civil Dushdi Mala Medal
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Border_Service_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png/80px-Border_Service_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Border_Service_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png 1.5x|Border Service Medal (Thailand) ribbon.png|h24|w80]] The Border Service Medal
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/King_Rama_IX_Royal_Cypher_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/80px-King_Rama_IX_Royal_Cypher_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/King_Rama_IX_Royal_Cypher_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/120px-King_Rama_IX_Royal_Cypher_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/King_Rama_IX_Royal_Cypher_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg/160px-King_Rama_IX_Royal_Cypher_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.svg.png 2x|King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg|h22|w80]] King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal (First Class)
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/King_Rama_IX_Rajaruchi_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png/80px-King_Rama_IX_Rajaruchi_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/King_Rama_IX_Rajaruchi_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png 1.5x|King Rama IX Rajaruchi Medal (Thailand) ribbon.png|h24|w80]] King Rama IX Rajaruchi Medal (Gold Class)
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/King_Rama_X_Royal_Cypher_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png/80px-King_Rama_X_Royal_Cypher_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/King_Rama_X_Royal_Cypher_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png 1.5x|King Rama X Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.png|h24|w80]] King Rama X Royal Cypher Medal (First Class)
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Red_Cross_Medal_of_Merit_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png/80px-Red_Cross_Medal_of_Merit_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Red_Cross_Medal_of_Merit_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png 1.5x|Red Cross Medal of Merit (Thailand) ribbon.png|h24|w80]] The Red Cross Commendation Medal
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/King_Rama_X_Coronation_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png/80px-King_Rama_X_Coronation_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/King_Rama_X_Coronation_Medal_%28Thailand%29_ribbon.png 1.5x|King Rama X Coronation Medal (Thailand) ribbon.png|h24|w80]] Commemorative Medal on the Occasion of the Coronation of H.M. King Rama X
Foreign honours
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Portugal.svg/23px-Flag_of_Portugal.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Portugal.svg/35px-Flag_of_Portugal.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Portugal.svg/45px-Flag_of_Portugal.svg.png 2x|Portugal|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Portugal Grand Cross of the Order of Saint James of the Sword, 1960
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4c/Flag_of_Sweden.svg/23px-Flag_of_Sweden.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4c/Flag_of_Sweden.svg/35px-Flag_of_Sweden.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4c/Flag_of_Sweden.svg/46px-Flag_of_Sweden.svg.png 2x|Sweden|h14|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Sweden Member of The Royal Order of the Seraphim (3 September 1960)
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Flag_of_Denmark.svg/20px-Flag_of_Denmark.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Flag_of_Denmark.svg/31px-Flag_of_Denmark.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Flag_of_Denmark.svg/40px-Flag_of_Denmark.svg.png 2x|Denmark|h15|w20|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Denmark 1960: Knight of the Order of the Elephant[20] (6 September 1960)
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/23px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/35px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/46px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png 2x|Germany|h14|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Germany 1960: Grand Cross (Special Class) of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/03/Flag_of_Italy.svg/23px-Flag_of_Italy.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/03/Flag_of_Italy.svg/35px-Flag_of_Italy.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/03/Flag_of_Italy.svg/45px-Flag_of_Italy.svg.png 2x|Italy|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Italy 22 September 1960 : Grand Cross of The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic[21]
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Flag_of_Belgium_%28civil%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_Belgium_%28civil%29.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Flag_of_Belgium_%28civil%29.svg/35px-Flag_of_Belgium_%28civil%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Flag_of_Belgium_%28civil%29.svg/45px-Flag_of_Belgium_%28civil%29.svg.png 2x|Belgium|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Belgium 1960: Dame Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold[22]
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Flag_of_Luxembourg.svg/23px-Flag_of_Luxembourg.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Flag_of_Luxembourg.svg/35px-Flag_of_Luxembourg.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Flag_of_Luxembourg.svg/46px-Flag_of_Luxembourg.svg.png 2x|Luxembourg|h14|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Luxembourg 1960: Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg/35px-Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg/45px-Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg.png 2x|Netherlands|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Netherlands 1960: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Spain.svg/23px-Flag_of_Spain.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Spain.svg/35px-Flag_of_Spain.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Spain.svg/45px-Flag_of_Spain.svg.png 2x|Spain|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Spain 1960: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (3 November 1960)[23] 1987: Dame Grand Cross of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III (13 November 1987)[24][25]
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Flag_of_Indonesia.svg/23px-Flag_of_Indonesia.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Flag_of_Indonesia.svg/35px-Flag_of_Indonesia.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Flag_of_Indonesia.svg/45px-Flag_of_Indonesia.svg.png 2x|Indonesia|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Indonesia 1961: First Class of The Star of Mahaputera
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/23px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/35px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/46px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png 2x|Malaysia|h12|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Malaysia 1962: [[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/23px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/35px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Flag_of_Malaysia.svg/46px-Flag_of_Malaysia.svg.png 2x|Malaysia|h12|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Malaysia - Honorary Recipient of the Order of the Crown of the Realm (Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara)[26][27] 1999: [[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Flag_of_Selangor.svg/23px-Flag_of_Selangor.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Flag_of_Selangor.svg/35px-Flag_of_Selangor.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Flag_of_Selangor.svg/46px-Flag_of_Selangor.svg.png 2x|Selangor|h12|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Selangor - Grand Cross of The Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Selangor (Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Dihormati Kelas Pertama) 2004: [[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Flag_of_Kelantan.svg/23px-Flag_of_Kelantan.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Flag_of_Kelantan.svg/35px-Flag_of_Kelantan.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Flag_of_Kelantan.svg/46px-Flag_of_Kelantan.svg.png 2x|Kelantan|h12|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Kelantan - Grand Cross of The Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Kelantan (Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Dihormati) 2009: [[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Flag_of_Terengganu.svg/23px-Flag_of_Terengganu.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Flag_of_Terengganu.svg/35px-Flag_of_Terengganu.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Flag_of_Terengganu.svg/46px-Flag_of_Terengganu.svg.png 2x|Terengganu|h12|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Terengganu - Grand Cross of The Most Distinguished Royal Family Order of Terengganu (Darjah Kerabat di-Raja Terengganu Yang Amat Mulia)
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9e/Flag_of_Japan.svg/23px-Flag_of_Japan.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9e/Flag_of_Japan.svg/35px-Flag_of_Japan.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9e/Flag_of_Japan.svg/45px-Flag_of_Japan.svg.png 2x|Japan|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Japan 1963: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown [28]
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg/35px-Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg/45px-Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg.png 2x|Taiwan|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Taiwan 1963: Special Grand Cordon of The Order of Propitious Clouds
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Flag_of_Austria.svg/23px-Flag_of_Austria.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Flag_of_Austria.svg/35px-Flag_of_Austria.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Flag_of_Austria.svg/45px-Flag_of_Austria.svg.png 2x|Austria|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Austria 1964: Grand Star of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria[29][30]
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Flag_of_Norway.svg/21px-Flag_of_Norway.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Flag_of_Norway.svg/32px-Flag_of_Norway.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Flag_of_Norway.svg/41px-Flag_of_Norway.svg.png 2x|Norway|h15|w21|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Norway 1965: Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg/35px-Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg/46px-Flag_of_the_Philippines.svg.png 2x|Philippines|h12|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Philippines 1968: Grand Collar (Maringal na Kuwintas) of The Order of the Golden Heart
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Flag_of_South_Korea.svg/23px-Flag_of_South_Korea.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Flag_of_South_Korea.svg/35px-Flag_of_South_Korea.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Flag_of_South_Korea.svg/45px-Flag_of_South_Korea.svg.png 2x|South Korea|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] South Korea 1981: Grand Order of Mugunghwa
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Flag_of_Brunei.svg/23px-Flag_of_Brunei.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Flag_of_Brunei.svg/35px-Flag_of_Brunei.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Flag_of_Brunei.svg/46px-Flag_of_Brunei.svg.png 2x|Brunei|h12|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Brunei 1990: The Most Esteemed Royal Family Order Seri Utama of Brunei
[[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Flag_of_Laos.svg/23px-Flag_of_Laos.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Flag_of_Laos.svg/35px-Flag_of_Laos.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Flag_of_Laos.svg/45px-Flag_of_Laos.svg.png 2x|Laos|h15|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Laos 1992: Phoxay Lane Xang [31]
Honours from former sovereign families
1963: Grand Cross of the Order of Beneficence
1963: Grand Cordon of the Most Esteemed Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol
1968: [[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Flag_of_Iran.svg/23px-Flag_of_Iran.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Flag_of_Iran.svg/35px-Flag_of_Iran.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Flag_of_Iran.svg/46px-Flag_of_Iran.svg.png 2x|Iran|h13|w23|thumbborder flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Iranian Imperial Family: Dame Grand Cordon of the Order of the Pleiades, 1st Class [32]
1968: Dame Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the Queen of Sheba
1986: [[INLINE_IMAGE|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Flag_of_Nepal.svg/16px-Flag_of_Nepal.svg.png|//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Flag_of_Nepal.svg/25px-Flag_of_Nepal.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Flag_of_Nepal.svg/33px-Flag_of_Nepal.svg.png 2x|Nepal|h20|w16|flagicon-img flagicon-img]] Member of The Nepal Pratap Bhaskara [33]
Awards
| Year | Award | Awarded by |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Hall of Fame | International Best Dressed List |
| 1979 | CERES Gold Medal | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
| 1985 | Humanitarian Award | Asia Society |
| 1986 | Best Conservationist Certificate | World Wildlife Fund |
| 1990 | Immigration and Refugee Policy Award | The Center of Migration Studies |
| 1991 | International Humanitarian Award | Friends of the National Children's Museum, Washington, DC |
| 1992 | Gold Medal for Outstanding Leadership | Asian Institute of Technology |
| 1992 | UNESCO Borobudur Gold Medal | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization |
| 1992 | UNICEF Special Recognition Award | United Nations Children's Fund |
| 1992 | Award of Excellence | United Nations Development Fund for Women |
| 1992 | UNEP Gold Medal of Distinction | United Nations Environment Programme |
| 1993 | Woman of the Year 1993 Award | Stanford University |
| 1995 | 1995 Lindbergh Award | The Lindbergh Foundation |
| 2000 | Merite de Invention | The Belgian Chamber of Inventors |
| 2001 | Special Prix | Bulgarian American Chamber of Commercial and Industry |
| 2002 | Louis Pasteur Award | International Sericultural Commission |
| 2002 | Award for Humanitarian Service | The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2004 | IUCN Gold Medal | International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
| 2005 | Food Safety Award | World Health Organization |
Honorary degrees
| Year | Field | Academy |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Social Work | Thammasat University |
| 1960 | Public Health | Mahidol University |
| 1961 | Political Science | Chulalongkorn University |
| 1962 | Home Economics | Kasetsart University |
| 1963 | Humanities | Centro Escolar University (Philippines) |
| 1965 | Decorative Arts | Silpakorn University |
| 1969 | Agriculture | Khon Kaen University |
| 1970 | Psychology | Chiang Mai University |
| 1970 | Development Economics | National Institute of Development Administration |
| 1981 | Humane Letters | Tufts University (United States of America) |
| 1983 | Political Science | Thammasat University |
| 1984 | Industrial Design | Chulalongkorn University |
| 1984 | Home Economics | Sukhothai Thammathirat University |
| −1987 | Humane Letters | Concord College (United States of America) |
| 1988 | Medicine | Mahidol University |
| 1989 | Forestry | Thammasat University |
| 1989 | Business Administration | Khon Kaen University |
| 1990 | Industrial Design | King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang |
| 1990 | Vocational Education Administration | King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang |
| 1990 | Public Health | Sukhothai Thammathirat University |
| 1991 | Finance | Khon Kaen University |
| 1991 | General Administration | Ramkhamhaeng University |
| 1992 | Technology of Environmental Management | Mahidol University |
| 1992 | Education | Chulalongkorn University |
| 1992 | Marketing | Kasetsart University |
| 1992 | Thai Arts | Silpakorn University |
| 1993 | Humane Letters | Georgetown University (United States of America) |
| 1995 | Humane Letters | Johns Hopkins University (United States of America) |
| 1997 | Philosophy | Tokai University (Japan) |
| 2000 | Thai Language | Thaksin University |
| 2003 | Visual Communication Design | Khon Kaen University |
| 2004 | Textile, Costume, Garment and Fashion Design | Thammasat University |
| 2004 | Social Development Management | Khon Kaen University |
| 2004 | Natural Resource Management | King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi |
| 2004 | Environmental Management | Prince of Songkla University |
| 2005 | Food Science | Kasetsart University |
| 2006 | Cultural Studies | Songkhla Rajabhat University |
| 2007 | Eastern Languages and Cultures | University of Saint Petersburg (Russia) |
Eponyms
Queen Sirikit is well known for her charitable work, where she is the honorary president of the Thai Red Cross, a post she has held since 1956. She gained new prominence in this role in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster in southern Thailand in December 2004. She has also been active in relief work for the many refugees from Cambodia and Burma in Thailand.
Many things in Thailand have been named after the Queen:
the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, children's hospital
the Queen Sirikit Medical Center building, Ramathibodi Hospital
the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer, a new 10-storey hospital in Bangkok
the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok
the Queen Sirikit Park in Bangkok
the Sirikit Dam on the Nan River, Uttaradit Province
the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Chiang Mai Province[34]
the Queen Sirikit Arboretum Garden, Pathum Thani Province
the Queen Sirikit Cup, an annual Asian-Pacific golfing event
the Queen Sirikit Crab (Thaiphusa sirikit)
the Queen Sirikit Rose
the Queen's Cup, annual football competition
The queen is 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.[35]
Ancestry
See also
King Bhumibol Adulyadej