Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, has died.

[mauRICE]

Chitralada Palace has just released a statement a few minutes ago that Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother, has died. She was 93.

May she rest in peace. 🕊 ขอน้อมส่งเสด็จสู่สวรรคาลัย 🙏🏻

[mauRICE]

The Palace has further announced that Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother, passed away on October 24, 2025. His Majesty the King has issued a royal command instructing the Bureau of the Royal Household to administer the royal funeral with the highest royal honors in accordance with royal tradition. Her body will be enshrined at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace. His Majesty has graciously ordered all members of the Royal Family and courtiers to mourn for one year, commencing on the date of her death.

[emiel1981]

What I understand from (news) reports is that the Thai people loved the king's mother. Although overshadowed by her late husband and son, Sirikit was beloved and influential in her own right. Her portrait was displayed in homes, offices, and public spaces across Thailand, and her August 12th birthday is celebrated as Mother's Day.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/25/thailands-queen-mother-sirikit-dies-at-93-after-more-than-a-decade-out-of-the-public-eye

It's wonderful to see how Thailand and its people are coping with her passing. With so much respect. In my country, normal life would largely continue, with the exception of the day of the funeral itself. But in Thailand, people are much more mindful of a royal death.

That being said, I wonder what exactly this will mean for tourists going to Thailand in the next weeks. Certain measures have been announced.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2025/10/25/thailand-mourns-queen-sirikit-the-queen-mother-funeral-plans-begin/

"The prime minister urged citizens to wear black clothing for at least 90 days or, if not possible, to avoid bright or flashy colors. Meanwhile, entertainment venues and service establishments have been asked to suspend or scale down entertainment activities for 30 days as a mark of respect during the initial mourning period."

Does this really mean that bars and clubs (go-go shows) will be closed for the next 30 days? Are any forum members familiar with how things went after King Bhumibol passed away? How strictly were the rules followed, and what was and wasn't possible?

[iendo]

4 hours ago, emiel1981 said:

It's wonderful to see how Thailand and its people are coping with her passing. With so much respect. In my country, normal life would largely continue, with the exception of the day of the funeral itself. But in Thailand, people are much more mindful of a royal death.

Then you wouldn't mind a 30 day shutdown of the entertainment industry I guess. 

[spoon]

One of the massage place just posted in line that they are open tonight. Another one posted the masseurs pics post with a black and white color 

[thaiophilus]

6 hours ago, emiel1981 said:

Does this really mean that bars and clubs (go-go shows) will be closed for the next 30 days? Are any forum members familiar with how things went after King Bhumibol passed away? How strictly were the rules followed, and what was and wasn't possible?

A friend was in LOS about 14 days after he died and reported "Bars in Pattaya were as usual (Sunnee useless, Boyztown quite good) except that the go-go boys were wearing black knickers and dancing to Faure's Requiem." So I think you can assume that most venues will be open, but perhaps more discreetly than usual.

[emiel1981]

5 hours ago, iendo said:

Then you wouldn't mind a 30 day shutdown of the entertainment industry I guess. 

One thing doesn't necessarily preclude the other, does it? I respect how people in Thailand are coping with the death of the king's mother. But on the other hand, as a tourist in Thailand, I'd also like to know what to expect. What can I expect, and is it better to postpone a visit to Thailand if I'm supposed to be there next week, for example? It'll take a bit longer for me; my planned trip to Thailand falls partly during the 30-day mourning period and partly afterward.

[emiel1981]

A friend of mine who's currently on vacation in Pattaya told me that he was eating dinner on a restaurant terrace tonight, beer included. And that nothing in Jomtien Complex seemed different so far. I wonder if that will be the case later tonight, in terms of shows.

[emiel1981]

Seesing some reports on social media, for example: https://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish/posts/pfbid0dy1f4ehdR51jxNLXoaH9DFEnKMcZdE16gN4roeSGbsRNHWGAKZsHLGZCbRJxgKTCl

Saying:

Quote

25 Oct 2568
At 3:15 PM on October 25, 2568, at Government House, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, gave an interview regarding the clarity of the Cabinet resolution asking for cooperation from the entertainment business and venues to suspend or reduce entertainment activities as deemed appropriate.
Mr. Anutin confirmed that the government has not ordered the private sector to ban festive events or concerts. The matter is now clear, with the Secretary-General to the Prime Minister and the Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office having already announced that nothing excessive is being prohibited.
When asked if there were questions from the public about whether weddings or ordination ceremonies could proceed, Mr. Anutin said that anything that is a tradition can be carried out as usual, depending on discretion. As for alcoholic beverages, they can be present as normal.
When asked if there were set opening and closing times, Mr. Anutin said that they could operate as before, but he had received reports from the Minister of Tourism and Sports that all operators were cooperating very well, for which he offered his sincere thanks. They are trying not to set a heavy tone and are trying to be appropriate for the situation, as well as attempting to inform customers or participants that this is a period of mourning, so they understand not to go "full throttle." 
There will be a tribute before performances. He thanked them for their cooperation and was confident that all operators would use their discretion appropriately.
Regarding the public's question about the criteria for the term "appropriateness," the Prime Minister stated that discretion must be used. "We didn't set a limit, but I think each activity must use discretion, which is up to the operators.

What I've mainly seen so far on news updates is this:
Entertainment venues remain open as usual (but sometimes in modified form regarding loud music and shows), and all tourist attractions continue to operate normally. Most events will still go ahead, though some may cancel certain elements such as fireworks or concerts over the next month. For example, the Light and Sound Show has been canceled for Loy Krathong 2025 in Sukhothai. And the TAT has announced the postponement of the Vijit Chao Phraya Fireworks event in Bangkok.

It seems the rules are less strict than when King Bhumibol passed away? Perhaps because he's not a reigning monarch? In any case, I'm curious what this will mean for the bars, clubs, and shows in Silom and Pattaya. If anyone has more information on this, or if there is any information now, I'd love to hear it.

[iendo]

53 minutes ago, emiel1981 said:

One thing doesn't necessarily preclude the other, does it? I respect how people in Thailand are coping with the death of the king's mother. But on the other hand, as a tourist in Thailand, I'd also like to know what to expect. What can I expect, and is it better to postpone a visit to Thailand if I'm supposed to be there next week, for example? It'll take a bit longer for me; my planned trip to Thailand falls partly during the 30-day mourning period and partly afterward.

I might have read it wrong, but the first part of your post sounded a bit like a reflection on Thai society leading into the real question of whether you could have your beer, which is of course a fair concern. That’s what prompted my sarcastic reaction.

As for the comparison, every country relates to its royal family in its own way. In places like the Netherlands or the UK, the tone and boundaries around public discussion are simply different.

Anyway, I’m there in two weeks myself, so I’ll just take things as they come. I’ll blend in, wear black, and let the locals set the tone.

[mauRICE]

Thai government clarifies no ban on public festivities during the mourning period for the Queen Mother

Saturday, 25 Oct 20259:16 PM MYT

ANN

BANGKOK (Bernama): The Thai government has clarified that it is not prohibiting private sector or public festivities during the national mourning period to honour the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.

Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the government wishes to avoid any misunderstanding and to emphasise that no order has been issued to ban events or festivities organised by the private sector or the general public.

Unlike government agencies, the private sector and the public are only requested to exercise discretion and adjust their activities appropriately in accordance with Thai traditions and culture.

"This is to prevent unnecessary disruption to the economy or financial burdens on organisers if events are suddenly cancelled," he said in a statement on Saturday.

Siripong explained that events such as ordination ceremonies, weddings, and traditional functions may still proceed. However, organisers should ensure that they are conducted respectfully and appropriately.

Nevertheless, Siripong said Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has called on all Thais to unite in expressing their deepest condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and to channel their loyalty and devotion as moral support for His Majesty the King and all members of the royal family.

He added that the government would ensure that the royal funeral is conducted with the highest honour and in full accordance with royal tradition.

"The prime minister calls upon all Thais to come together in unity, love, and loyalty during this period of national mourning, and to offer these sentiments as moral strength for His Majesty the King and the royal family," he said.

Earlier, the Bureau of the Royal Household announced that Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, aged 93, passed away on Friday evening.

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has instructed the bureau to organise Her Majesty's royal funeral with the highest honours, in accordance with royal tradition.

The royal procession of the Queen Mother's remains to the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall within the Grand Palace is scheduled to take place at 4 pm (Thai time) on Sunday. - Bernama

 

 

[iendo]

You can see live what is going on in Walking street

 

 

[vinapu]

9 hours ago, emiel1981 said:

 

It seems the rules are less strict than when King Bhumibol passed away? Perhaps because he's not a reigning monarch? In any case, I'm curious what this will mean for the bars, clubs, and shows in Silom and Pattaya. If anyone has more information on this, or if there is any information now, I'd love to hear it.

just go and don't worry about closures . It may be bit toned down here and there, specially loud music but otherwise industry of our interest should operate full normal

[PeterRS]

I suggest we should also consider some of the good the late Queen did for Thailand. The annual tours around the country by the late King and Queen were greatly anticipated by most in the towns and villages.

Queen Sirikit also did something to lessen the effect of the lese majeste law. When it was first produced, reference to and music from Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1951 musical The King & I was banned in Thailand. Even so, encouraged by the young Queen the Jim Thomson Silk Company had provided the costume designer with silk for all the costumes used in the production. Her Majesty even went further by herself attending a performance and then posing for photographs with Yul Brynner backstage. 

The Queen standing next to Yul Brynner and his wife after watching The King & I on Broadway

This alone did a great deal to encourage a worldwide interest in silk made in Thailand. When the Abba musical Chess opened in the 1980s it was assumed that its controversial disco number about nightlife in Thailand "One Night in Bangkok" would be banned. It wasn't, although when the movie Anna and the King was being filmed a decade later, the ultra-conservative Thai government would not permit its being filmed in Thailand. The producers had quickly to move filming to Malaysia.

[jimmie50]

Massage shops are still open everywhere, and the shops we all prefer are still sending out their daily updates via LINE.  I did notice today some of the shops posted a tribute of some sort to the late Queen Mother, and some of the therapist photos they are all wearing black showing respect.  Others it was simply business as usual.  Not in Silom area anymore, so cannot say about the clubs there, but several of the young men in the tour group went to Soi Cowboy last night and it was business as usual.  I would assume it would be the same at Fresh Boys, Hot Male, Moonlight, et al.  

[emiel1981]

21 hours ago, emiel1981 said:

the Light and Sound Show has been canceled for Loy Krathong 2025 in Sukhothai

Apparently they decided, after first cancelling it, to let it go ahead anyway:

[emiel1981]

And an update about the Fireworks Festival in Pattaya: