Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has died at the age of 47, more than three years after she was hospitalised following a sudden medical emergency that left her in a coma, the Bureau of the Royal Household announced on Friday. The royal household said in an official statement that the princess had been suffering from an abdominal infection and that her condition had “continued to worsen” in recent weeks.
Despite prolonged medical care and intensive treatment, she passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, marking the end of a long period of uncertainty surrounding her health. Princess Bajrakitiyabha, widely known in Thailand as “Princess Bha,” had been hospitalised since December 2022 after collapsing suddenly. Her condition remained critical over the years, with earlier updates from the palace indicating that she required life-support systems to assist her lung and kidney functions, alongside continuous medical supervision and medication.
The Bureau of the Royal Household confirmed that her body will lie in state at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, where traditional royal rites will be conducted. Her funeral will be held with the highest honours in accordance with royal tradition, reflecting her status as a senior member of the Thai royal family and the ceremonial importance attached to royal funerals in the country. Born into Thailand’s monarchy as the only child from King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s first marriage to Princess Soamsawali, Bajrakitiyabha was regarded as one of the most prominent figures in the younger generation of the royal family.
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Her early life and education were closely followed, and she was often seen as a figure combining royal duty with professional achievement. She pursued higher education across multiple countries, earning a law degree from Cornell University in the United States after studying in the United Kingdom and Thailand. Trained as a prosecutor, she later built a career in diplomacy and public service, including serving as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria and representing her country in various international forums.
In addition to her diplomatic responsibilities, she worked with the United Nations on legal and humanitarian initiatives. She became a vocal advocate for women’s rights, particularly focusing on improving prison conditions for women and promoting legal reforms aimed at greater fairness in the justice system. During a 2012 visit to Cornell Law School, she described her diverse professional identity, saying she considered herself a “hybrid” of prosecutor, lawyer, and diplomat.
Her work earned recognition for blending legal expertise with public service across international platforms. As a member of the Thai royal family, she also held significant ceremonial duties within the monarchy, which remains a central institution in Thai society. Her death has prompted tributes reflecting both her public service career and her role within one of the world’s most closely watched royal families.
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