BANGKOK — 12 June 2026, Thailand’s Cabinet has ordered a 15-day official mourning period following the death of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha, with government buildings and schools instructed to fly flags at half-staff nationwide.
Government spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek announced the measures after a special Cabinet meeting on 12 June 2026, convened following a Royal Household Bureau announcement confirming the princess’s death.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul led Cabinet ministers in observing a moment of silence in tribute to the princess and paid respect to her contributions and service to the country.
The Cabinet directed all relevant agencies to ensure that funeral and royal ceremonial arrangements are carried out with full honours and in accordance with traditional royal customs.
Under the measures approved by the Cabinet:
- Government offices, state enterprises, state agencies and educational institutions must lower flags to half-staff for 15 days from 12 June 2026.
- Civil servants, employees of state enterprises and government officials are required to observe a 15-day mourning period beginning on 12 June 2026.
- Members of the public have been asked to observe mourning as appropriate.
The Cabinet also assigned responsibilities to various government bodies.
The Office of the Prime Minister’s Permanent Secretary will establish a committee to oversee the royal funeral ceremonies, chaired by the prime minister. Additional committees will be formed to manage ceremonial arrangements, construction of the royal crematorium, public relations, security and other related duties.
Government agencies will also organise daily attendance by civil servants during the 100-day period of funeral prayers.
The Ministry of Culture, through the Fine Arts Department, will oversee ceremonial protocols and the construction of the royal crematorium.
The Cabinet Secretariat will coordinate ministerial attendance at funeral prayer ceremonies, while the Ministry of Interior and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will organise merit-making and tribute activities for the public.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Department has been instructed to continue promoting information about the princess’s public service and royal duties, including preparing English-language materials in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Authorities stressed that entertainment events and public activities would not be prohibited during the mourning period. Organisers have instead been asked to observe appropriate measures, including moments of tribute and adjustments to event formats where suitable.
Ratchada said Anutin will lead Cabinet ministers on 13 June 2026 at 08:30 in offering ceremonial bathing water and paying respects before the princess’s portrait at Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion inside the Grand Palace.