Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha dies aged 47 after years in coma

Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha dies aged 47 after years in coma
Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha greets royalists as she leaves a religious ceremony to commemorate the death of King Chulalongkorn, Thailand, 23 October 2020.
Reuters

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.

Collapse and prolonged illness

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.

Public service and legal career
A woman reacts as she holds a picture of Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha following the announcement of her death, Bangkok, Thailand, 12 June 2026.
Reuters

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.

Advocacy and international role

Princess Bajrakitiyabha was particularly recognised for her work supporting vulnerable groups, especially female prisoners.

Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha waves to crowd as she cycles in the "Bike for Dad" event in Bangkok, Thailand, 11 December 2015
Reuters

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.

Military role and royal position

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.

National mourning expected

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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