Thailand Enters a 12 months of Mourning After the Demise of Its Queen Mom—Right here’s What Vacationers Ought to Know, In response to an Skilled

The nation of Thailand has entered a nationwide year-long interval of mourning out of respect for the latest passing of the nation’s queen mom, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. 

The queen mom died final week on the age of 93 after years battling diseases, Reuters reported. Following her passing, flags will probably be flown at half-mast for 30 days at authorities workplaces, state enterprises, and academic establishments, and authorities officers have been requested to put on mourning apparel for a yr, in response to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Tourism in Thailand was anticipated to proceed as regular, however even members of the general public have been “inspired to gown in black or subdued colors for 90 days as a gesture of remembrance and respect.” Equally, guests have been requested to “gown and behave respectfully,” particularly when visiting a temple, royal web site, or authorities web site.

“Throughout this era of nationwide mourning, Thailand stays open and totally operational. All vacationer sights, transportation companies, eating places, outlets, and occasions proceed as typical,” the TAT mentioned in an announcement. “Nonetheless, public actions, leisure occasions, and enterprise operations are inspired to train discretion and to regulate their codecs appropriately in reflection of the nationwide environment of mourning.”

Vacationers should make some itinerary changes within the coming days. The Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, for instance, will stay closed by way of Nov. 8 throughout a royal ceremony of mendacity in state, in response to the location. Candle lighting ceremonies have additionally been deliberate throughout the nation.

Grant Ekelund, an knowledgeable with InsideAsia Excursions and a Journey + Leisure A-Checklist Journey Advisors member, instructed T+L there are nonetheless loads of actions and historic websites to go to. He mentioned Wat Pho, a notable temple in Bangkok, continues to be open to guests.

“The foremost factor to know is that Thailand is open and nonetheless a beautiful place to go to right now,” Ekelund mentioned. “Anyone who is considering rescheduling or pushing aside a go to does not have to fret about that.”

Ekelund echoed the necessity to gown respectfully.

“It’s appreciated for folk to decorate modestly and in muted colours when visiting temples or in central Bangkok near any of the ceremonies,” he mentioned.

Acknowledged as T+L’s Vacation spot of the 12 months for 2025, Thailand has been dwelling to a number of new flights, together with from United Airways, which just lately started flying from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Bangkok with a cease in Hong Kong.