Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s royal aid to Cambodian refugees in Thailand

Facebook page “tak99999” reported on Saturday the royal efforts of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother in helping over 100,000 Cambodian refugees fleeing the Khmer Rouge regime by offering aid in Thailand.

The Ratchakarun Centre, under the royal initiative, was established to assist these refugees in Khao Larn, Klong Yai District, Trat Province, following the Khmer Rouge war. In 1979, with the war still raging in Cambodia, a large number of refugees, including many women and children, crossed into Thailand, arriving at Khao Larn — one of the few accessible points near the border. Many of these refugees arrived severely malnourished, sick, and dying from disease, with no access to basic healthcare or sanitation.

Upon learning of their suffering, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother personally commanded a visit to the border area on May 25, 1979, arriving by helicopter. As her helicopter passed over the treetops near the beach of Khao Larn, she saw countless people lying on the ground, their conditions dire. She instructed her team to land, and she immediately walked to the beach to inspect the situation.

Accompanying officials recounted seeing large numbers of the sick, injured, and deceased lying together, with no sanitation facilities, and many suffering from diarrhoea. Despite the grim conditions, Her Majesty The Queen Mother continued her inspection, personally comforting the children, checking their condition, and instructing medical personnel to assist the refugees.

She immediately established a Thai Red Cross relief unit on-site, using available materials to create tents marked with large red crosses for easy identification. The relief area was designated as a safe zone, free from attack, to provide immediate support to those in need. Her Majesty also stayed in the area overnight to provide morale support to the refugees, government officials, and volunteers who assisted in caring for their fellow humans.

In the early stages, the refugees set up shelters under trees, using available materials such as sarongs to shield themselves from the sun and rain. Later, they were provided with plastic sheets to use as protection from the elements. As time passed, temporary huts made from bamboo with thatched roofs and palm leaves were built. At the same time, temporary shelters were constructed to serve as offices for providing assistance to the refugees, as well as facilities for lodging and medical units.

Eventually, permanent buildings were constructed, including facilities for an orphanage, training centres, schools, and residential accommodation. The Thai Red Cross Centre provided continuous assistance to the Cambodian refugees for over seven years before officially closing on July 4, 1986.

This royal initiative has left a lasting legacy of compassion and humanitarianism, with Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother making a significant impact on the lives of Cambodian refugees and countless others in need of assistance during times of crisis.