Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati has died at the age of 47 after suffering prolonged health complications that left her in a coma for nearly four years.
The Thai royal palace said the princess died on Thursday evening following a deterioration in her condition, which was attributed to a range of medical issues, including infection, colitis, low blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms and blood clotting disorders.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest child of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, was hospitalised in December 2022 after collapsing while visiting the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima.
The loss of consciousness was linked to a heart condition, and she was later transported by helicopter to Bangkok for specialised treatment. She remained in a coma from that point until her death.
Widely known as Princess Pa, she played a prominent role in Thailand’s public life, combining royal duties with a legal and diplomatic career.
She studied law at Cornell University, where she completed both a master’s degree and a doctorate. She later worked as an attorney at the Thai Office of the Attorney General between 2006 and 2011.
Her career also took her into diplomacy, serving as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia from 2012 to 2014 before returning to legal work in Bangkok.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha was particularly recognised for her work supporting vulnerable groups, especially female prisoners.
She founded a charitable initiative aimed at improving the rights and conditions of women in custody, including those pregnant while in prison.
In 2017, she was appointed as a goodwill ambassador for the rule of law in Southeast Asia by the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, reflecting her growing international influence.
In addition to her legal and humanitarian work, the princess also held a senior position in the military. In 2021, she joined the army and was promoted to general, later serving as chief of staff of the Royal Security Command.
As one of King Vajiralongkorn’s three formally recognised children, she was considered eligible to succeed to the throne under Thailand’s constitutional framework.
The palace has announced that royal funeral rites will be held, with the government expected to declare a period of national mourning.
Her death comes less than a year after the passing of Thailand’s Queen Mother at the age of 93.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha leaves a legacy defined by public service, legal reform efforts and advocacy for marginalised groups.
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