HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha passes away at 47
Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati has passed away.
The Bureau of the Royal Household has announced that Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati passed away peacefully at 7:48 pm on Thursday at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, of the Thai Red Cross Society.
She lost consciousness due to a cardiac condition December on 15, 2022, and had been treated as an in-patient since, according to periodical announcements by the bureau.
The bureau said in a statement that, since May 21, 2026, the condition of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati had deteriorated due to an infection in her abdomen resulting from inflammation of the large intestine, low blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat and abnormal blood clotting.
Although the team of physicians provided treatment to the absolute best of their abilities, Her Royal Highness's condition progressively worsened. Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully in hospital at the age of 47.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has instructed the bureau to arrange Her Majesty's royal funeral with the highest honours and according to royal tradition. Her Royal Highness’s body will be enshrined in Piman Rattaya Throne Hall, inside the Grand Palace, Bangkok.
Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, born on December 7, 1978, has long been a revered figure in Thailand, celebrated not only for her royal lineage, as the eldest daughter of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, but also for her profound intellect and compassion.
With a doctorate in judicial science from Cornell University, the Princess seamlessly bridged the worlds of royalty and rigorous public service.
Throughout her life, she earned widespread admiration for her down-to-earth demeanour, intellectual depth and unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of ordinary Thai citizens, establishing herself as a modern, progressive voice within the royal family.
Her lifelong dedication to public service is most notably reflected in her ground-breaking work within the legal and humanitarian spheres.
As a former diplomat and prosecutor, Princess Bajrakitiyabha championed significant reforms in the criminal justice system, focusing on the rehabilitation of female inmates and the well-being of their children through her ‘Kamlangjai’ (Inspire) project.
Her passionate advocacy for women's rights and prison reform resonated globally, leading to the United Nations' adoption of the ‘Bangkok Rules’, which established international standards for the treatment of women prisoners.
Through her tireless efforts in humanitarian aid, disaster relief and legal advocacy, her legacy remains deeply intertwined with the pursuit of justice and the empowerment of the vulnerable in Thai society.