THAILAND’S Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has cancelled his trip to the ASEAN Leaders Summit in Kuala Lumpur to chair a special Cabinet meeting in mourning for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, who passed away on 24 October.
The atmosphere at Government House was sombre as ministers, civil servants, officials, and journalists dressed in black to pay respects. At 08:00, the national flag was raised briefly before being lowered to half-mast.
Anutin led the session in Room 501, Government House, prioritising the nation’s mourning over international engagements.
Sources from Government House confirmed that the Prime Minister will now attend the ASEAN summit tomorrow, which is expected to coincide with the signing of the Thai-Cambodia peace agreement, with the United States President serving as an observer. “If the US is unable to adjust, Anutin will delegate the task to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to sign on his behalf,” the sources said.
The Cabinet is also set to finalise arrangements for Her Majesty’s royal funeral rites, following His Majesty the King’s decree granting the highest honours in accordance with royal tradition. Her Majesty’s remains will be enshrined at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.
His Majesty has additionally decreed that members of the Royal Family and court officials observe a one-year mourning period from the date of her passing, reflecting the nation’s enduring respect and grief.
The atmosphere at the Cabinet meeting on October 25, 2025 was sombre, with ministers, civil servants, officials, and journalists all dressed in black to pay respects to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit
The Queen Mother, who passed away on the evening of Friday, October 24. At 08:00, the national flag at the Government House was raised to the top of the flagpole before being lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect.
Additionally, His Majesty has declared that members of the Royal Family and court officials will observe a one-year mourning period starting from the date of Her Majesty’s passing.
In a new development, Reuters cited Anutin said he would travel to Malaysia for the signing of an expanded ceasefire agreement with Cambodia.
Anutin told reporters he would be in Kuala Lumpur to sign the deal on Sunday and would return to Thailand afterwards due to the death of the kingdom's Queen Mother Sirikit. He also said he would not attend next week's APEC Summit. - October 25, 2025
