Mourning in Thailand: Will It Affect Tourists?

On October 25, Queen Mother Sirikit of Thailand passed away in Bangkok at the age of 93. Following this tragic event, many conflicting headlines have appeared online: “Russian tourists left without entertainment in Thailand”, “Thailand mourns Queen Sirikit – entertainment suspended for a month”, and so on.

So, what is really happening? Spoiler: tourists are unlikely to notice any major changes.

Sirikit was the mother of the current King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), and the wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). For many years, she was deeply loved and respected throughout the country – her portraits adorned homes, schools, and public institutions, and her birthday was celebrated as a national holiday: Mother’s Day.

The Queen was actively involved in charity work, overseeing projects to support underprivileged rural communities, promoting traditional crafts, and backing environmental conservation initiatives. She was also considered a true style icon.

Following the death of Queen Sirikit, Thailand declared a year-long mourning period for government institutions, businesses, and educational establishments. Flags at all state buildings will be flown at half-mast for one month.

The most common question now is: “Will the mourning affect tourists?” – especially since November marks the start of the high tourist season in many destinations across Thailand, including Phuket.

The answer is both yes and no.

The Thai government has NOT imposed any ban on concerts or entertainment events. However, organizers have been asked to show moderation and respect during the mourning period. Most venues express condolences on their social media pages but continue with their scheduled events.

For example, the Vegetarian Festival (taking place in Phuket from October 21 – 29) and Loy Krathong (on November 5) are both going ahead, albeit with slight program adjustments. Once again, there has been no official government order to cancel entertainment activities.

So, if you’ve already planned your trip to Phuket – there’s no need to cancel it. Tourists are unlikely to experience any significant changes. Enjoy your holiday on the island, but remember to show respect for the Thai people’s feelings during this period.