PRES. TRUMP AWARDED INAUGURAL FIFA PEACE PRIZE AT WORLD CUP DRAW IN WASHINGTON . (PHOTOS).
Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, a prominent figure in charitable work, environmental conservation, and the preservation of traditional crafts, passed away on Friday at the age of 93. She died in a Bangkok hospital after suffering from a blood infection since Oct. 17, and her health had been declining in recent years. Her husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died in 2016, and she had largely stepped back from public appearances. Her son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and other members of the royal family had visited her at Chulalongkorn Hospital, where she had been receiving long-term care.
Born Sirikit Kitiyakara on Aug. 12, 1932, into an aristocratic Bangkok family connected to the Chakri dynasty, she spent part of her youth in France with her diplomat father. At 16, she met King Bhumibol in Paris, and their relationship deepened after she helped care for him following a near-fatal car accident in Switzerland. The couple married in 1950 and pledged to serve the Thai people, later having four children: King Maha Vajiralongkorn and princesses Ubolratana, Sirindhorn, and Chulabhorn. During her life, she spearheaded initiatives to support rural communities, train villagers in traditional crafts through the SUPPORT foundation, and protect forests and endangered species. Known for her hands-on approach and dedication to the countryside, she earned widespread admiration for her tireless public service, while also navigating the scrutiny and political turbulence surrounding Thailand’s monarchy over the decades.
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