Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest child of King
Vajiralongkorn and a prominent figure within the royal family, has
died aged 47 after spending more than three years in a coma.
The Royal Household Bureau announced that the princess died on
Thursday evening at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn Hospital, where she had
been receiving intensive treatment since suffering a sudden medical
emergency in late 2022.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha collapsed while exercising with her dogs
in December 2022. Doctors later said she had experienced a severe
cardiac event linked to a mycoplasma infection that caused a
serious heart rhythm disorder. Despite extensive treatment and
constant medical supervision, her condition never improved
significantly.
In a statement, the palace said medical specialists had provided
the highest level of care available but her health had continued to
deteriorate.
Known widely in Thailand as Princess Pa, she was born on 7
December 1978 to the then Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and Princess
Soamsawali. She went on to become one of the most respected and
accomplished members of the royal family, earning a reputation for
public service, legal expertise and international diplomacy.
After studying law in Thailand, she obtained postgraduate
qualifications, including a doctorate, from Cornell University in
the United States. She subsequently worked for Thailand’s
Attorney-General’s Office before moving into diplomatic
service.
Between 2012 and 2014 she served as Thailand’s ambassador to
Austria and held concurrent diplomatic responsibilities for
Slovenia and Slovakia. During her time in Europe, she worked
closely with international organisations, particularly on issues
relating to criminal justice and the rule of law.
Returning to Thailand, Princess Bajrakitiyabha became an
advocate for prison reform and the rights of female inmates.
Through charitable initiatives and her work with the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime, she sought to improve conditions for
vulnerable women within the justice system.
Her public responsibilities expanded further in later years. In
2021, King Vajiralongkorn appointed her chief of staff within his
personal military bodyguard unit, granting her the rank of general.
She also represented Thailand in various international roles and
remained an active supporter of public health and sporting
initiatives.
The princess’s death is likely to renew attention on the future
of Thailand’s monarchy. Although succession discussions are highly
sensitive in the kingdom, Princess Bajrakitiyabha had long been
regarded by many observers as one of the royal family’s most
capable figures.
King Vajiralongkorn, 73, has not formally designated an heir.
While traditional succession has generally favoured male
descendants, constitutional provisions introduced in the 1970s
allow for the possibility of a female monarch.
As news of her death spread, mourners gathered in Bangkok to pay
their respects. The Thai government is expected to announce a
period of national mourning in honour of the princess, whose death
marks the loss of one of the kingdom’s most prominent royal
figures.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source royalcentral.co.uk ’
