This advice is for tourists visiting Thailand during the mourning period for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother. This is a significant event in Thailand, but the country remains open and welcoming to visitors. This article aims to address any questions travellers to Thailand may have. We will continue to update this with any news as and when it is confirmed.
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, passed away on Friday, 24th October 2025. She was 93. Regarded as the ‘Mother of the Nation’, her birthday (12 August) is a public holiday and celebrated as Mother’s Day. Similarly, her late husband, HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (who died in 2016) was viewed as the ‘Father of the Nation’. His birthday on 5 December is also a public holiday and commemorated as Father’s Day.
This is a significant event in Thailand, but the country remains fully open and welcoming to visitors. Tourist attractions are open and transport services are running normally. However, there is a period of official mourning, and this may affect some scheduled events.
Mourning period
The Royal Thai Government has announced a period of national mourning.
- From 25 October, all government offices, state enterprises, and educational institutions will fly the national flag at half-mast for 30 days.
- Government officials, state enterprise employees, and civil servants are requested to wear mourning attire for one year.
- As a gesture of remembrance and respect, members of the Thai public are encouraged to dress in black or subdued colours for 90 days.
Although it’s not compulsory for Thai people to wear black or subdued colours, many will do so. This is likely to be more noticeable in Bangkok and for the older generation of Thai people with fond memories of HM Queen Sirikit and HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
While there is an official mourning period, daily life and tourism continue as normal.
Do tourists need to wear black?
As a tourist, you are not expected to wear black or subdued colours. When you pack for your Thailand trip between now and the end of January 2026, pack what you would normally pack. If you would like to show respect for the Thai people, you can wear a simple black ribbon. These will probably be freely available for anyone arriving in Thailand over the next few weeks. Wearing a black ribbon is a gesture that will be appreciated by many Thai people.
Nobody is expecting you to dress in black at the beach or wear a ribbon on your nights out. But if you are at airports in Thailand, travelling on public transport or visiting tourist attractions, a black ribbon worn on your left sleeve (a few inches down from your shoulder) is a classy way to show respect to your Thai hosts.
White is also a mourning colour in Thailand, and wearing a white polo shirt or blouse is another polite and practical way to show respect. If you are visiting a temple, royal site, or government premises during the mourning period, please be extra respectful. These locations will all have an area where a portrait of Her Majesty will be on display, and wearing white or black clothing will be appreciated by Thai people in these instances.
What’s open
The Thai government has not ordered any changes to public activities or entertainment venues. Tourist attractions are open and transport is running normally. Entertainment venues, bars and pubs remain open as usual with no extra restrictions on alcohol sales.
In Bangkok, the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo are closed from 26 October to 8 November 2025. There will be other days after this when the venues are also closed to the public. But check with your hotel in Bangkok or check for yourself in person; don’t take the word of strangers who then conveniently have a friend with a tuk-tuk.
Events & festivals
There is no ban on events and festivals. The Thai government acknowledges that many events have been planned long in advance, and tourism remains important for the economy. However, organisers at public events have been encouraged to exercise discretion. This will probably mean that most events over the next few months will go ahead as planned, but there is likely to be an adjustment to show respect for the late Queen Mother. This could be as simple as a moment’s silence at the start of an event or the playing of the royal anthem.
Events and activities organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand may be adjusted in format. One example is the Vijit Chao Phraya 2025 event in Bangkok. Originally scheduled from 1 November to 15 December 2025, this has been postponed until further notice will now take place from 9 November to 23 December 2025 under the name, “Light of Siam, Mother of the Land” in honour of the Queen Mother. There will be adjustments to the original schedule with fireworks near the Grand Palace cancelled, while a drone display will now be dedicated to Her Majesty.
Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong night this year is November 5. This is a nationwide celebration and will still go ahead. There may be adjustments to parades and firework displays organised by state officials. This is likely to be decided on a case-by-case basis, but Loy Krathong (and the Yi Peng Festival in northern Thailand) will still be celebrated.
Sukhothai Loy Krathong and Candle Festival
This will go ahead as scheduled from 27 October to 5 November at Sukhothai Historical Park, but activities will be altered. There will be a nightly candlelighting tribute, and firework displays will be modified. The Noppamas beauty contest is cancelled.
Pattaya International Firework Festival
The Pattaya event is set to go ahead from 28-29 November, but with some adjustments at the start of the event. It’s proposed that there will be a one-minute silence at the start of the event. The opening fireworks display will be dedicated to the late Queen Mother, with appropriate music and subdued colour schemes. Those attending are requested to avoid wearing garish clothing.
Concerts
The format of concerts could change, but again, it will depend on a case-by-case basis. Major events aimed at overseas visitors are unlikely to see much change. The BLACKPINK concerts in Bangkok went ahead as normal from October 24-26. The K-pop band has a huge Thai fanbase, and although organisers asked fans to wear black or white, for the most part, there was little change to a normal BLACKPINK concert.
When will the funeral take place?
The funeral for King Rama IX took place in October 2017, a year after his passing in October 2016. A similar amount of time may likely elapse before the funeral of his wife, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.
The Bureau of the Royal Household will organise the royal funeral ceremonies with the highest honours, in accordance with royal tradition. The royal remains will be enshrined at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall within the Grand Palace. His Majesty the King also granted a one-year mourning period for members of the Royal Family and the royal household.
At temples across Thailand, there will be a royal altar displaying a portrait or painting of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, accompanied by floral arrangements and candles. The altar will be located within the ordination hall or main ceremonial area and open to the public
From 26 October, temples will conduct daily prayers for 30 consecutive days, with the merit accumulated dedicated to Her Majesty. Special merit ceremonies will also take place on significant dates according to Thai tradition. These are:
- 30 October (7th day of passing)
- 7 November (15 days)
- 12 December (50 days)
- 31 January 2026 (100 days)
