Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, has died at the age of 47 after a long hospitalization. A prominent member of the Thai royal family, she had been receiving medical care since December 2022, following a heart attack during a trip to Nakhon Ratchasima province. The princess, known in Thailand as "Princess Pa," was rushed to Bangkok after collapsing. Since then, her condition had remained extremely serious, and she had been under medical care for more than three years.
A sudden deterioration in his condition
In recent months, her condition had worsened. Doctors had identified several complications, including an intra-abdominal infection, colitis, hypotension, heart rhythm disturbances, and clotting disorders. The princess died on the evening of June 11. Her death brought to an end a prolonged hospitalization that had been closely monitored in Thailand, where information regarding the health of royal family members is scarce and strictly controlled.
The eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn
Born on December 7, 1978, Bajrakitiyabha was the daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Princess Soamsawali, the monarch's first wife. She was among the king's children with official royal status, and her profile held a special place within the Thai monarchy. Trained in law, she pursued higher education in Thailand and then in the United States, notably earning a doctorate in law from Cornell University before embarking on a public career in Thai institutions.
Lawyer, diplomat, military officer
Princess Bajrakitiyabha had worked in the Attorney General's office in Thailand. She had also served as a diplomat, including as Thailand's ambassador to Austria, with accreditation to Slovenia and Slovakia. She had also held positions related to the United Nations, particularly in the areas of the rule of law and criminal justice. Her work focused on the situation of women prisoners and improving their conditions of detention. In Thailand, she also held military responsibilities, holding the rank of general in the Royal Security Command, a structure at the heart of the monarchy.
A very high-profile royal figure
Princess Bajrakitiyabha regularly appeared at official ceremonies, judicial, diplomatic, and charitable events. Her public image combined institutional discipline, legal training, and social commitment. Her hospitalization, beginning in December 2022, marked a sharp break in this trajectory. For more than three years, she remained absent from public life, while medical bulletins, released sparingly, reported a prolonged critical condition.
A period of mourning in Thailand
Her death has triggered a period of royal mourning in Thailand. Official funeral rites must be organized according to the monarchy's protocol. In the country, ceremonies related to the royal family generate significant institutional and public mobilization. Princess Bajrakitiyabha's passing comes at a time when the Thai monarchy retains a central place in the political, social, and symbolic life of the kingdom. At 47, the king's eldest daughter leaves behind the image of a princess trained in law, committed to public affairs, and long associated with reforms benefiting women prisoners.
