Queen Sirikit of Thailand (born Momrajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara on August 12, 1932), is the wife as well as the Queen Consort of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), the King of Thailand.

Title and ranks

Her formal name and title is Somdej Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat (th: สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ, Her Majesty Queen Regent Sirikit, ).

At the present, She also ranks Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force, usually called when mentioned in the law that: Chom Phon Ying Chom Phon Ruea Ying Chom Phon Akat Ying Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat (th: จอมพลหญิง จอมพลเรือหญิง จอมพลอากาศหญิง สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ, Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet, Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force Her Majesty Queen Regent Sirikit). HM Queen Sirkit ceremonially holds the supreme power, after Her Husband who ranks the Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, among the Royal Thai Army.

Birth and family

HM Queen Sirikit was born at the house of General Chao Phraya Wongsanuprapat (Momrajawongse Staan Snidwongse), her maternal grandfather, in Bangkok and was educated at Saint Francis Xavier, a Catholic convent school. She had a younger sister, Momrajawongse Busba. During her childhood her father was successively Thai Ambassador to France, Denmark and the United Kingdom, and Momrajawongse Sirikit continued her education in these countries and in Switzerland.

Born as Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakorn, she was the first daughter of Colonel Mom Chao Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakorn (who was given the title Prince Chanthaburi Suranath after his daughter's marriage), a relative and close supporter of the Royal Family. Her mother was Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakorn (nee Mom Luang Bua Snidwongse). The title "Mom Rajawongse" indicates that she is a child of a Mom Chao (the most junior class of Thai princes) and thus descended from royalty. Her grandfather was HRH Prince Kitiyakorn Voralaksana, Prince of Chanthaburi, a son of King Rama V and an elder half-brother of HRH Prince Mahidol of Songkla, HM King Bhumibol's father, which makes her a first cousin once removed of her husband. Her name, granted by HM King Prajadhipok, means "the illustrious member of Kitiyakorn".

Marriage and family

While studying in Switzerland, Mom Rajawongse Sirikit met HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was then still a minor and also studying in Switzerland. When the HM King was injured in a motor accident and was in a hospital at Lausanne, Mom Rajawongse Sirikit was a frequent visitor. On July 19 1949, they were engaged in Lausanne. On March 1950, the King returned to Thailand to take up his royal duties. Mom Rajawongse Sirikit accompanied him and on April 28 the royal wedding took place at Pathumwan Palace.

The couple have four children:

• (Formerly HRH) Princess Ubol Ratana, born April 5 1951 in Lausanne, Switzerland;
• HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, born July 28 1952;
• HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, born April 2 1955;
• HRH Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, born July 4 1957.

One of the Queen's grandchildren, Bhumi Jensen (also known as Khun Poom), was killed in the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. He was the son of Princess Ubol Ratana and her American husband, Peter Ladd Jensen.

Regency

When the King undertook a period of service as a Buddhist monk in 1956 (as is customary for all Thai Buddhist males), HM Queen Sirikit became Regent. She performed her duties so satisfactorily that she was made "Somdej Phra Borommarachininat" (Queen Regent) and given the style of "Somdej Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat".

Cultural identity

HM Queen Sirikit's birthday, like the HM King's, is a national holiday, and is also Thailand's official Mothers' Day. 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 the local Muslim populace. The Queen has a strong bond with the southern Thailand. She spends months in the Muslim majority provinces every year. This role of the Queen is considered as one of the quiet diplomacy.

Charitable works and honors

HM Queen Sirikit is well-known for her charitable work. Her major formal involvement is as 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 who have sought refuge in Thailand.

Many things in Thailand have been named after HM Queen Sirikit:

• 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 Botanical Garden, Chiang Mai Province
• the Queen Sirikit Arboretum Garden, Pathum Thani Province
• the Queen Sirikit Cup, an annual Asian-Pacific golf Teams Event
• the Queen Sirikit Crab (Thaiphusa sirikit)
• the Queen Sirikit Rose
• the Queen's Cup, annual football competition
• Suanchalermprakiat 72 years Queen Sirikit the Buddhist Era 2547, a park in Phuket Town and ect.

The Queen is also actively promoting Thai culture and history. It was mainly because of her initiative that the Thai epos movie The Legend of Suriyothai was produced, making it the most lavish and expensive Thai movie ever made.

Awards

Honorary Degrees

References