Bangkok Prepares for Queen Sirikit's Funeral Ceremony!

Bangkok Prepares for Queen Sirikit's Funeral Ceremony!

The city of Bangkok is in deep mourning as preparations for Queen Sirikit's funeral ceremony intensify. On October 26, 2025, her body was transported from Chulalongkorn Hospital to the Grand Palace, where many citizens dressed in black gathered along the route to show their grief. Starting October 27, citizens will have the opportunity to pay their respects in front of the portrait of the late queen in the Sahaithai Hall of the Grand Palace. From November 9, the body will be open to the public at Dusit Maha Prasat. The ceremony was broadcast live from 3:20 p.m. and the funeral ceremonies ended around 7:50 p.m. International leaders, including Donald Trump and the king of Bhutan, have also offered their condolences. The Bangkok Metropolitan Municipality has launched an extensive program to ensure safety and cleanliness during these honorable times, FM91 reports.

The city has prepared 1,000 additional food boxes for the funeral service to ensure the well-being of visitors. Nursing staff and wheelchairs are also available to help older people and those in need of assistance. In addition, 3,000 bottles of drinking water were made available. In order to avoid environmental problems, waste separation and disposal is organized. Effective traffic management will be ensured to maintain safety and order during the celebrations. These measures are especially important at times like these, when the city mourns and comes together in solidarity.

Peace agreement with Cambodia

At the same time, political developments in the region are taking center stage. Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet signed a peace agreement in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This agreement covers, among other things, the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the border and the clearance of explosives. Other points include cooperation to combat fraudsters and joint management of complex territories. This agreement could represent an important step towards stability in the region, as FM91 reports.

In another incident, a 41-year-old woman was arrested in Bangkok for being involved in an international call center network and acting as an agent. This arrest follows her attempt to flee Cambodia after she was wanted for fraud and computer crimes. The Drug Enforcement Agency also recently arrested two people, including an Air Force officer, for drug trafficking, with a total of 54 methamphetamine tablets seized.

Cultural context of mourning ceremonies

Burial rituals in Thailand are deeply rooted in the culture and reflect a mix of animism, Brahmanism-Hinduism and Buddhism. The main goals of such ceremonies are to honor the deceased, support their journey into the next life and provide comfort to loved ones. A traditional Thai funeral can include both a burial and a cremation, with cremation becoming increasingly popular due to its convenience. After cremation, the remains are placed in water in a solemn ceremony to free the soul. Memorial ceremonies, which traditionally take place 7, 50 and 100 days after death, are also an essential part. This highlights the importance of communal mourning and celebrating the good deeds of the deceased, as Thailand Foundation describes.

Overall, it shows that both the social and political events in Thailand contribute to the current situation and that people are pulling together in these difficult times.