Thailand has entered a national mourning period following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, on Friday evening, October 24, at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok.
Prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that all government offices, state enterprises and educational institutions will fly the national flag at half-mast for 30 days from October 25, 2025.
The Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha will close from October 26 to November 8 for merit-making and funeral rites, with increased activity and road closures around Rattanakosin Island; photo by Phutanet Boonsuwan
Civil servants and state enterprise employees are to observe a one-year mourning period in black, while the general public is requested to observe a 90-day mourning period and dress in black, subdued or neutral tones.
Despite the solemn occasion, which closely overlaps with the famed Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festivals, the government has not ordered any suspension of public or tourism activities.
Visitors can expect adjustments in event delivery, as organisers modify formats to reflect the mourning period. During the first 30 days, the prime minister’s office has requested that the entertainment sector, venues, and service establishments exercise restraint.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) noted that TAT-organised events will be adjusted in format, with festive and celebratory elements postponed until further notice.
Vijit Chao Phraya 2025, a 45-day light and sound spectacle in Bangkok – originally scheduled from November 1 to December 15 and targeting 1.5 million visitors and 500 billion Thai baht (US$13.7 billion) in revenue – will instead begin on December 1.
The annual Loy Krathong and Candle Festival by Sukhothai City Development Co. will proceed from October 27 to November 5 at Sukhothai Historical Park with modified programming – such as fireworks featuring only traditional, Sukhothai-reminiscent displays – and cancellation of the Noppamas beauty contest. Candle-lighting tributes will take place nightly at 21.21 hrs to honour the memory of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother.
The Ayutthaya Loy Krathong Festival will also continue with a more subdued tone.
Meanwhile, the Pattaya International Fireworks Festival 2025, set for November 28 and 29, will proceed with revised programming, including a one-minute silence, a dedicated fireworks tribute, and exhibitions honouring the late Queen Mother’s royal initiatives.
The Chiang Mai municipality has not yet announced whether the Yi Peng tradition, consisting of the sky lantern festival from November 4 to 6, will be affected, and there is yet no word from the TAT Chiang Mai office about the status of the Yi Peng Lanna Light Festival 2025 from November 3 to 6.
The Blackpink World Tour Bangkok concert (October 24-26, 2025) this past weekend went ahead as scheduled, with organisers observing a moment of silence and requesting participants to dress in black or white. Earlier in the month, the TAT had designated Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban – also a member of girl group Blackpink – as Amazing Thailand Ambassador.
Throughout Thailand, daily life and tourism continue, with an emphasis on respectful dress and conduct.