Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand has passed away at the age of 47, as confirmed by the Bureau of the Royal Household. She succumbed to a lengthy illness after being hospitalized for over three years. The princess was the eldest child of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, expressed profound sorrow in a televised address. He described the princess as “a pride of Thailand,” acknowledging her unwavering commitment to fostering kindness, justice, and equality. He emphasized that these qualities would remain a guiding moral legacy for future generations.
A statement from the royal household outlined that Princess Bajrakitiyabha would lie in state at Bangkok’s Grand Palace. Her funeral will be conducted with the highest royal honors. In May, it was disclosed that her health had significantly declined, necessitating medical support for her vital organs.
A small group of mourners gathered at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, taking solace in photos of the princess. Pattamaporn Kaewkityakorn, a mourner, spent the night outside the hospital, hoping for the princess’s recovery. She expressed shock and sadness upon learning of the news.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha was renowned for her work in justice reform, notably through her “Inspire” project aimed at rehabilitating incarcerated Thai women. Her illness began in December 2022 when she lost consciousness while training dogs for an army event. The palace later revealed she had a mycoplasma infection.
The princess pursued law studies at Thammasat University and earned her master’s and doctorate degrees from Cornell University. Scholarships and academic exchanges between Cornell and Thailand were later established in her honor. She held roles as a public prosecutor and served as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria.
In 2017, Bajrakitiyabha was appointed a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. She passionately advocated for the rights of female prisoners and campaigned against violence towards women. Her efforts influenced the U.N. General Assembly to adopt the “Bangkok Rules” addressing the care of female prisoners.
In a 2013 interview, she emphasized the importance of the rule of law for societal stability and development, recognizing it as a pillar supporting human rights and economic growth.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha is survived by her parents and six siblings. Her contributions to Thailand’s justice system and her humanitarian work will be remembered and cherished.
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