Thai King’s Eldest Princess Dies After More Than Three Years of Treatment

BANGKOK – The eldest daughter of the King of Thailand, Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, has passed away at the age of 47 after more than three years of receiving hospital treatment due to her illness, according to an official announcement from the Thai Royal Palace on Friday.

The Royal Household Bureau in a statement informed that the princess had suffered an infection in her abdominal area and her health condition continued to deteriorate before she passed away peacefully on Thursday evening.

Her remains will lie in state at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, while funeral ceremonies will be conducted with the highest honours in accordance with Thai royal traditions.

Known as “Princess Bha” among the Thai people, Princess Bajrakitiyabha is the only child from the first marriage of King Maha Vajiralongkorn to Princess Soamsawali.

She had been hospitalised since December 2022 after suddenly falling ill.

Last May, the Royal Household Bureau informed that the princess’s health condition had worsened to the point where she had to rely on medical equipment to support her lung and kidney functions, in addition to medication.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha had a professional background as a public prosecutor and diplomat.

She received her education in Britain, Thailand and the United States (US), before obtaining a law degree from Cornell University in the US and had served as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria.

During a visit to that university in 2012, she shared her views on the journey of her career.

“I often ask myself, who am I really? A public prosecutor? A criminal lawyer? A diplomat? The answer is a combination of all of them. I consider myself a hybrid,” she said, as quoted by the Cornell Chronicle.

Additionally, she also held several positions in the United Nations (UN) and was active in advocating for women’s rights, including efforts to improve the conditions of incarcerated women.

As a royal princess, Princess Bajrakitiyabha played an important ceremonial role in Thai society, with the monarchy remaining at the highest level of the country’s social structure.

She was also seen as having a close relationship with her father and was appointed to a senior position in the king’s personal guard unit one year before being hospitalised.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is now 73 years old, has seven children from four marriages, but has yet to announce his chosen heir to the throne, although royal succession rules favour male heirs.

Thailand also has strict lese-majeste laws to protect the royal institution from any criticism, with offences under these provisions carrying a prison sentence of up to 15 years for each charge. – AFP

Sinar Harian