Thai princess dies at age 47 after 3 years in hospital
Thai Royal Daughter Passes Away at 47 Following Three Years of Hospitalization
Thai princess dies at age 47 after - Bangkok — Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, a legal scholar and the king’s eldest child, has passed away at the age of 47. The Royal Household announced her death on Thursday evening, revealing she had been receiving treatment at a Bangkok hospital since collapsing from an illness three years ago, as reported by AFP.
A Legacy of Justice and Kindness
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described her passing as "a profound sorrow for the entire nation," emphasizing her role as a symbol of Thailand’s values. "Her dedication to fostering a society rooted in kindness, justice, and equality will endure as a moral compass for generations," he stated during a televised address.
“Society cannot grow if there is instability and injustice,” Bajrakitiyabha remarked in a 2013 interview with The Associated Press. “Without the rule of law, without a good justice system, it's always chaos. I think the rule of law is a very important pillar to development, to economic growth, and of course to human rights.”
Public Service and International Impact
The princess was renowned for her work in criminal justice reform, particularly her "Kamlangjai" initiative, which aimed to rehabilitate incarcerated women before their release. Her efforts contributed to the adoption of the "Bangkok Rules" by the U.N. General Assembly, addressing the treatment of female prisoners.
Her career spanned diplomatic and legal roles, including a stint as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria and a position as a public prosecutor. Prior to that, she earned a master’s and doctorate in law from Cornell University, focusing on the rights of the accused. Scholarships and exchange programs at Cornell were later established in her honor.
Final Days and National Mourning
Bajrakitiyabha was hospitalized in December 2022 after losing consciousness during a dog-training session for an army exhibition. Medical reports indicated she was battling a mycoplasma infection, typically linked to pneumonia. Her condition worsened by May, requiring life-support devices to maintain lung and kidney function.
Funeral arrangements include a lying-in-state ceremony at the Grand Palace, with the event scheduled for "highest honors according to royal tradition," as per the Royal Household’s statement. A small group of mourners gathered at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, holding framed photos of her, unaware of the news that would arrive the next day.
Family and Succession
Born on December 7, 1978, to Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and his then-wife Princess Soamsawali, Bajrakitiyabha is the king’s eldest child. Vajiralongkorn has seven children from three of his four marriages, with Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, the youngest, as the presumptive heir due to Thailand’s succession rules favoring male heirs.
Despite this, her active involvement in justice initiatives sparked speculation about her potential role in future governance, possibly as regent for a young monarch. She will be survived by her parents and siblings.