Her Majesty Queen Sirikit is the daughter of His Highness Prince Chandaburi Suranath (Mom Chao Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara) and Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara (nee Mom Luang Bua Snidwongse).
She was born on August 12, 1932. She attended kindergarten class at Rajini School, but subsequently went to St. Francis Xavier convent school at Samsen District in Bangkok. Her father later on became Thai Minister to France, then to Denmark and, ultimately, Ambassador to the Court of St. James in England. Her Majesty accompanied him and continued her general education in the three countries and lastly in Switzerland.
It was while her father was stationed in Paris that she first met His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was then studying in Switzerland but went now and then to Paris. The chance meeting in Paris ripened into friendship and understanding. When His Majesty met with a very serious motor accident in Geneva, Switzerland, and had to stay in a hospital at Lausanne, Her Majesty was a frequent visitor. When His Majesty was well again and left the hospital, he was graciously pleased to arrange for Her Majesty to continue her studies at Riante Rive, a boarding school in Lausanne. On July 19, 1949, Their Majesties were quietly engaged in Lausanne. On March 24, 1950, Their Majesties landed in Bangkok by ship after a long absence. On April 28 of the same year, the royal wedding took place at Pathumwan Palace.
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Their Majesties the King and Queen presiding over the Opening Ceremonies of the 13th Asian Games, and the Rajamanggla Stadium at the Rajamanggla Stadium in Bangkok. |
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Her Majesty the Queen harvesting rice crops during a visit to the SUPPORT Foundation project under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhorn Si Ayutthaya Province. |
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Medals ans Awards For her work among rural women, Queen Sirikit was awarded the prestigious Ceres Medal in 1979 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, bringing international recognition to an achievement already well known to the countless Thais who have benefited from it. In 1980, at the recommendation of the world-famous Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University of the United States awarded Her Majesty an honorary doctorate degree in Humane Letters, in recognition of her work for the rural poor of Thailand and her humanitarian work in her capacity as Chairman of the Thai Red Cross Society. Moreover, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit is very keen on the conservation of the environment. She has launched several projects related to the environment, such as the project to conserve the forests and wildlife in all parts of Thailand. In 1986 the Chairman of the Board of Directors of World Wildlife Fund presented to Her Majesty an award as an outstanding protector of forests and wildlife. In 1988, for her deep concern for the health and welfare of the people of Thailand, she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in Great Britain’s 470-year-old Royal College of Physicians, the highest honor the college confers. Apart from the work for the rural poor in Thailand, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit also plays an outstanding role in supporting humanitarian policies for refugees from all countries. In 1990, she received the Center for Migration Studies Immigration and Refugees Policy Award from the Center for Migration Studies (CMS) for her efforts in assisting approximately one million homeless refugees since 1975. In addition, she was presented the International Humanitarian Award by Friends of the Capital Children’s Museum of Washington D.C. in 1991 for Her Majesty’s service in giving educational opportunities to children in remote areas. It was the first time ever that this award was presented to a non-American. Her Majesty’s role in cultural affairs is also recognized by many international organizations. UNESCO found her work through the SUPPORT Foundation to be in accordance with the aim of UNESCO to preserve the cultural heritage of the member countries. UNESCO’s Borobudur Gold Medal Award was, therefore, presented as a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit in 1992. In the same year, she was presented a medal and a special award by two other United Nations organizations, UNICEF and UNIFEM, for her sacrifice and dedication in supporting the role of Thai women in developing the country. |
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Her Majesty the Queen observing various handicraft projects made by members of the SUPPORT Foundation under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, during a visit to preside over the handicraft competition organized by the SUPPORT Foundation for the 14 southern provinces at "Sri Kanchana Daksin" Building, Daksin Palace, Narathiwat Province. |
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Her Majesty the Queen conversing with the local populace who came to greet Her during a visit to the "Suan Pa Sirikit" Forest Development Project under the Royal Initiation of Her Majesty the Queen, Ban Mong Luang, Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai Province. |
