Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha — the King's eldest daughter and advocate for prisoners' rights — has died. She was in a coma for three years
She was involved in protecting the rights of women prisoners and advocated for criminal justice reforms in the country. She also served as head of the King's security.
Photo: © TNP / Arnun Chonmahatrakool / Thai News Pix / LightRocket via Getty Images
Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest daughter of King Rama X of Thailand, has died in Bangkok at the age of 47 after a prolonged coma, writes the BBC.
She was involved in protecting the rights of women prisoners and advocated for criminal justice reforms in the country. Many considered her a possible heir, despite the fact that Thailand has never had a female monarch.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha died at the age of 47, the Thai Royal Household Bureau announced. She passed away on Tuesday evening, June 11, at a hospital in Bangkok.
The Princess was hospitalized on December 15, 2022, after losing consciousness during an exercise with her dog. Doctors attributed the cause to an irregular heartbeat, triggered by a mycoplasma infection. Mycoplasmas are bacteria that commonly cause atypical pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses.
Since then, Bajrakitiyabha had been in a coma. Her condition worsened in late May due to an infection, writes the Bangkok Post, citing the royal family.
"This loss is not only bad news for the people but also an immeasurable sorrow in the hearts of the entire nation," said Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
In his speech dedicated to the princess, he called her "Thailand's pride" and noted that her commitment to creating a society based on kindness, justice, and equality "will always remain a moral legacy for the nation, a guiding star for generations of Thais."
Mourning Thais gathered near the hospital where the princess was staying. The King of Thailand ordered a royal funeral with the highest honors for Bajrakitiyabha.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha was born on December 7, 1978. She is the eldest daughter of Maha Vajiralongkorn (King Rama X since 2016) and the only child from his marriage to Princess Soamsawali Kitiyakara. In total, the King has seven children from three marriages.
Bajrakitiyabha studied at Thammasat University in Thailand, then earned Master of Laws and Doctor of Juridical Science degrees from Cornell University in the USA. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the protection of the rights of the accused.
Bajrakitiyabha worked for some time at Thailand's Permanent Mission to the UN, and from 2012 to 2014, she served as Thailand's Ambassador to Austria. In addition to her diplomatic activities, Bajrakitiyabha worked at the Office of the Attorney General of Thailand.
In 2021, Rama X appointed the princess as head of his personal security and bestowed upon her the rank of General.
The princess was passionate about sports and often participated in races and other events.
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