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.
