Thailand Mourns the Passing of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol

Thailand faces a significant loss with the passing of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol. The 47-year-old princess was a lawyer and the eldest child of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and she passed away at a Bangkok hospital after being unconscious from an illness for three years.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed deep sorrow in a televised message, acknowledging the princess as “a pride of Thailand” whose dedication to kindness and justice will continue to motivate future generations.

A royal statement announced that the princess would lie in state at the Grand Palace. Her funeral will follow royal traditions and honor her contributions to the nation.

In May, updates from the royal household indicated her condition worsened, with medical support for her lungs and kidneys. Mourners gathered at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, where she was treated, to pay respects. Many held photos, recalling her legacy and impact.

Pattamaporn Kaewkityakorn, a mourner at the hospital, voiced hopes for a miraculous recovery, though saddened by the announcement of the princess’s passing.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha dedicated her life to justice reform, notably through the Kamlangjai project aimed at helping Thai women in prisons. She was hospitalized in December 2022 due to a bacterial infection linked to pneumonia, caught while working on an army exhibition.

She was a well-educated royal, earning law degrees from Thammasat University and Cornell University, where she completed her dissertation on the rights of the accused. Her work led to scholarships and academic exchanges between Thailand and Cornell in her name. Her diplomatic career included serving as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria and being a public prosecutor. She was a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime and made strides in improving conditions for women in prison through the “Bangkok Rules.”

Her experience raised speculation about her possible role as a regent due to her contributions and public service. While Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti is the presumptive heir, Bajrakitiyabha’s legacy as a public figure remains influential.

She leaves behind her parents and siblings, and her contributions to law and society continue to inspire.