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Thailand Mourns the Passing of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol at 47
BANGKOK – Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and a prominent legal expert and advocate for justice reform, has died at the age of 47. The Bureau of the Royal Household announced her passing on Friday, noting she had been hospitalized in Bangkok since falling unconscious three years ago due to illness.
The princess was known for her dedicated work in criminal justice reform, notably leading the Kamlangjai (“Inspire”) project, which focused on rehabilitating incarcerated women in Thailand ahead of their release. Her advocacy extended to improving prison conditions for female inmates and combating violence against women, efforts that contributed to the adoption of the United Nations’ “Bangkok Rules” concerning the treatment of female prisoners.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s health declined after she was hospitalized in December 2022 following a collapse during dog training exercises for an army event. The palace disclosed she was suffering from a mycoplasma infection, a bacterial illness often linked to pneumonia. The somber tone of the King and Queen’s New Year’s greeting card in early 2023 had already signaled the seriousness of her condition to the Thai public.
Born on December 7, 1978, to then-Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and Princess Soamsawali, Bajrakitiyabha held the formal royal name Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati in official contexts. Though succession law favors male heirs-making her youngest brother, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, the presumptive heir-her extensive public service raised speculation about her potential future role, possibly as regent.
Her academic achievements were notable, including a law degree from Thammasat University and both a master’s and doctorate in law from Cornell University. Her doctoral dissertation focused on protecting the rights of the accused, reflecting her lifelong commitment to justice. Scholarships and exchange programs between Thailand and Cornell Law School were later established in her honor.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s career included work with the Thai Mission to the United Nations, service as a public prosecutor, and a diplomatic post as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria from 2012 to 2014. She was appointed a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2017.
Reflecting her philosophy, she once told The Associated Press, “Society cannot grow if there is instability and injustice. Without the rule of law, without a good justice system, it’s always chaos. I think the rule of law is a very important pillar to development, to economic growth, and of course to human rights.”
Princess Bajrakitiyabha is survived by her parents, King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida, as well as her siblings. Her passing marks a significant loss for Thailand’s royal family and the justice reform community.