Thailand Mourns the Loss of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol

Thailand is mourning the death of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest child of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The princess died at the age of 47 at a Bangkok hospital, where she had been cared for since falling unconscious due to illness three years ago. Her passing was announced by the Bureau of the Royal Household.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed his condolences in a televised speech, emphasizing the immense grief felt by the nation. He praised the princess for her commitment to creating a society rooted in kindness, justice, and equality. He noted that her legacy will continue to inspire future generations in Thailand.

A funeral with the highest honors will be held at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, in accordance with royal traditions. In May, the Royal Household acknowledged her deteriorating health, stating she required support for her lung and kidney functions.

A mourner holding a photo of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol expressed deep sadness at the loss, commenting, “I know she was sick, but I wished there were a miracle.”

Princess Bajrakitiyabha was recognized for her efforts in justice reform and her work on the Kamlangjai project, which aimed to rehabilitate incarcerated Thai women. She fell ill in December 2022 due to a mycoplasma infection, a condition usually linked to pneumonia.

Born on December 7, 1978, Princess Bajrakitiyabha was the child of then-Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and Princess Soamsawali. Her background in law began at Thammasat University, followed by a master’s and doctorate in law from Cornell University. She focused on the rights of the accused for her dissertation.

She briefly served at the Thai Mission to the U.N. in New York City before returning to Thailand for her career as a public prosecutor. Her diplomatic tenure included serving as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria from 2012 to 2014. She was appointed a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime in 2017.

Her significant contributions included advocating for better conditions for women prisoners and combatting violence against women. Her work was instrumental in the U.N. adopting the “Bangkok Rules” for female prisoners’ treatment.

In a 2013 interview, Princess Bajrakitiyabha stated, “Society cannot grow if there is instability and injustice. Without the rule of law, without a good justice system, it’s always chaos.”

Princess Bajrakitiyabha is survived by her parents and siblings. Her passing leaves a significant void in Thailand’s public and royal circles.