Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, devoted Her life to improving the well-being of the Thai people and preserving the nation’s cultural and natural heritage. As Honorary President of the Thai Red Cross Society since 1956 and a lifelong partner of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, Her Majesty led numerous initiatives that uplifted rural communities, revitalized traditional arts, promoted environmental stewardship, and cared for those in need.

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Rural Development and Livelihood Support

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Her Majesty believed that sustainable income and dignity arose from self-reliance. Through Her royal initiatives, Her Majesty empowered rural families, especially women, to improve their livelihoods through craftsmanship and local enterprise. Her Majesty is widely known as the Patroness of Thai Crafts.

• SUPPORT Foundation (1976): Established under Her Majesty’s patronage, the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques trains villagers in traditional crafts and provides channels to sell their work, creating lasting sources of income across Thailand.

• Revival of Thai Silk: Her Majesty revitalized the Thai silk industry, commissioning rural weavers and promoting Thai textiles on the international stage. Her Majesty’s efforts inspired a national campaign encouraging Thais to wear silk twice a week in recognition of this cultural heritage.

• Occupational Rehabilitation: In alignment with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s development philosophy, Her Majesty extended training opportunities to vulnerable groups, including those recovering from hardship, enabling them to gain new skills and rebuild their lives.

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Cultural Preservation and Artistic Heritage

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Her Majesty’s devotion to Thai arts and culture ensured that traditional craftsmanship and performance would thrive for future generations.

• Revival of Khon: Under Her Majesty’s patronage, the ancient Thai masked dance-drama Khon was meticulously restored with authentic costumes and choreography. In 2018, UNESCO recognized Khon Thai as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

• Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles: Established within the Grand Palace, this museum preserves and showcases Thailand’s rich textile heritage, including royal garments and traditional weaving techniques.

• Queen Sirikit Institute of Crafts: An expansion of the SUPPORT Foundation, the institute provides advanced training for artisans, ensuring that traditional craftsmanship continues to evolve.

• Thai National Dress Revival: Working with French couturier Pierre Balmain, Her Majesty reinterpreted traditional Thai garments into eight elegant styles, known today as the Chud Thai Phra Rajaniyom ("Thai outfits of royal favour"). This initiative strengthened national identity and revitalized the Thai silk industry.

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Environmental Conservation and Sustainability

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Often called the “Green Queen,” Her Majesty was among Thailand’s earliest advocates for environmental preservation and sustainable coexistence with nature. Her Majesty's environmental work earned Her international recognition, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Certificate of Honour.

• Pa Rak Nam (“Forest Loves Water”) Projects: Initiated under Her Majesty’s patronage to restore forests, combat drought, and promote ecological balance in provinces such as Sakon Nakhon.

• “Small House in the Big Forest” (1991): A project encouraging rural families to live harmoniously within reforested areas, blending conservation with livelihood.

• Wildlife Preservation: Her Majesty supported the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries and breeding programs, including sea-turtle conservation, pearl-oyster cultivation, and the protection of endangered species.

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Health, Education, and Social Welfare

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Her Majesty’s compassion extended to healthcare, education, and welfare initiatives that improved the lives of millions, especially the disadvantaged. Her Majesty's dedication to improving the lives of rural women also earned her the Ceres Medal from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

• Thai Red Cross Society: As Honorary President since 1956, Her Majesty has overseen humanitarian programs ranging from medical outreach and disaster relief to refugee assistance and blood-donation campaigns.

• Mobile Medical Units and Village Doctors: Her Majesty sponsored mobile medical clinics and the Village Doctor Programme to ensure that healthcare reached even the most remote communities.

• Education for Children: Schools established under Her Majesty’s patronage provide access to education for ethnic and underprivileged children, including those with disabilities, fostering independence and self-sufficiency.

• Sajai Thai Foundation (1975): Founded under the joint patronage of Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Queen Sirikit to aid wounded or disabled military and police personnel, offering vocational training and long-term welfare support.

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A Lifelong Inspiration

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Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, transformed compassion into enduring action. Her Majesty’s initiatives continue to empower the Thai people to preserve their heritage, protect nature, and build a more compassionate and self-reliant society.

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