Thailand Mourns the Passing of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol

Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand, the eldest child of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has passed away at the age of 47. This was confirmed by the Bureau of the Royal Household. The princess died on Thursday evening at a Bangkok hospital where she had been receiving care since she fell unconscious due to illness three years ago.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed the nation in a televised speech, expressing profound sorrow. He described the princess as a “pride of Thailand” and emphasized her dedication to fostering kindness, justice, and equality. He stated that her ideals will serve as a lasting moral legacy for future generations.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha will lie in state at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Her funeral will receive the “highest honors according to royal tradition,” as per a statement from the bureau, reported by AFP.

Earlier in May, the bureau detailed that her health had worsened, with medical devices and medications maintaining her lung and kidney functions, according to AFP’s report.

“This loss is not merely bad news announced to the people, but an immeasurable grief in the hearts of the entire nation,”

In an atrium at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, a small group of mourners gathered. Many held framed photographs of the princess. Mourners shared their grief, with one expressing hope for a miracle before the announcement of her passing.

The princess was recognized for her work in justice reform, particularly for her Kamlangjai project, which assists incarcerated Thai women in rehabilitation. Her hospitalization began in December 2022 after she fell ill during a dog training session for an army exhibition. Her illness was linked to a mycoplasma infection, typically associated with pneumonia.

Born on December 7, 1978, to Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and Princess Soamsawali, Bajrakitiyabha was part of a royal family that includes seven children from four wives. Her youngest brother, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, is the presumptive heir. However, Bajrakitiyabha’s career in public service led to speculation she might have played a significant role in any future succession.

Her educational journey took her to Thammasat University and then to Cornell University in the U.S., where she earned a master’s and later a doctorate in law. Her dissertation focused on the protection of the rights of the accused. Scholarships in her name were later established at Cornell. After serving at the Thai Mission to the U.N. in New York City, she transitioned to a public prosecutor role in Thailand. Her diplomatic career included serving as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s initiatives took on a global aspect when she became a U.N. goodwill ambassador for women’s issues. Her advocacy contributed to the U.N. General Assembly adopting the “Bangkok Rules,” focusing on female prisoners’ care and conditions. She often highlighted the importance of the rule of law, justice, and human rights in societal development.

The princess’s legacy endures through her parents and siblings, leaving behind a deep imprint on Thailand’s legal and social landscape.