Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha has died after being in a coma for over three years. The royal household confirmed her passing, stating she was 47 years old.
As reported by BBC, she collapsed in December 2022 while exercising her dogs. Her doctors attributed her condition to a severely irregular heartbeat caused by a mycoplasma infection in her heart.
With her death, the Thai royal family has lost its most prominent member, who might have played an important role in the future succession. She was the eldest child of King Vajiralongkorn, born on December 7, 1978, to Princess Soamsawali.
Life and Accomplishments of Princess Bajrakitiyabha
The palace stated that the medical team provided intensive care, but her condition deteriorated. She passed away at 19:48 local time on the previous day in Chulalongkorn Hospital.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha was well-educated, having earned two postgraduate degrees from Cornell University in the United States. She briefly worked at the Thai mission to the United Nations before returning to Thailand.
From 2012 to 2014, she served as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria, where she formed a relationship with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). She became an advocate for penal reform, focusing on vulnerable women in the prison system.
Implications of Her Death for the Thai Royal Family
Upon returning to Thailand, she took on the role of UNODC Ambassador for the Rule of Law in Southeast Asia, continuing her advocacy for criminal justice reform. Her initiatives highlighted the severe penalties for minor drug offenses in Thailand’s justice system.
In 2021, King Vajiralongkorn appointed her as chief of staff for his private bodyguard, granting her the rank of general. Her multifaceted career and visible accomplishments positioned her as a potential heir in the royal succession discussion.
Speculation about her future role within the royal family intensified due to her skills and the trust her father placed in her. King Vajiralongkorn, aged 73, has not yet publicly named an heir.
Future Considerations for Thailand’s Monarchy
Thai custom traditionally dictates that the heir should be male, but a constitutional amendment from 1974 allows for a female to ascend the throne. Despite having five sons, four of whom are from his second marriage, the uncertainty over the succession remains.
The passing of Princess Bajrakitiyabha closes a chapter in the royal family’s history, raising questions about the future direction of the monarchy. The implications of her death may resonate throughout the royal family and the Thai public.
