Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 47, the Bureau of the Royal Household announced on Friday.
According to the announcement, the princess died peacefully at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok at 7:48pm, despite the continued efforts of a royal medical team that had provided round-the-clock treatment and close monitoring.
HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha had been under medical care since December 15, 2022, after losing consciousness the previous day while training her pet dog in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province.
The Bureau of the Royal Household said her condition had been closely observed since May 21 after doctors detected a severe infection that could not be brought under control and had affected the function of several major organs.
In April, doctors found that the princess had developed an abdominal infection linked to inflammation of the large intestine, which caused her overall condition to become unstable.
The infection led to a number of complications, including low blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, and abnormal blood clotting, according to the statement.
Her condition continued to worsen in the following period and gradually deteriorated until her passing on Thursday night.
His Majesty the King has instructed the Bureau of the Royal Household to arrange royal funeral rites with the highest honours in accordance with royal tradition.
The princess’s body will lie in state at Phiman Rattaya Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha was the eldest daughter of His Majesty the King and HRH Princess Soamsawali Krom Muen Suddhanarinatha.
Born on December 7, 1978, the princess was widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and publicly active members of the Thai royal family.
She trained as a lawyer and earned postgraduate degrees from Cornell University in the United States before beginning her career at Thailand’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
After returning to Thailand, she worked in the Office of the Attorney General in Bangkok and other parts of the country, before later serving as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria from 2012 to 2014.
During her public career, Princess Bajrakitiyabha became known for her work on criminal justice reform, particularly her advocacy for vulnerable women and female inmates.
She also worked closely with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and served as its Goodwill Ambassador on the Rule of Law for Southeast Asia.
In 2021, she was appointed to a senior role in His Majesty the King’s private bodyguard command and was given the military rank of general.
Outside her official duties, the princess was also known for her commitment to fitness and regularly took part in long-distance running events.
Her passing marks a significant loss for the Thai royal family and for many in Thailand who recognised her for her legal expertise, diplomatic service, and long-standing commitment to justice reform.
