Bangkok: Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendra Debyavati has passed away at the age of 47. She had been in a coma for the past 3 years and had long been battling a serious illness. Her death has plunged India into mourning as well. The Indian Embassy in Bangkok extended its deep condolences to the Thai royal family and the people of the country, saying that in this difficult hour India's thoughts stood with the King of Thailand, the royal family and the entire nation. The embassy added that whatever the princess achieved in the spheres of public service and diplomacy would always be remembered.
Princess Took Her Last Breath on 11 June 2026
Thailand's Government Public Relations Department and the Prime Minister's Office also officially confirmed the princess's death. In a message shared on the social media platform X, the Thai government said that Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, breathed her last on 11 June 2026. The government noted that her lifelong service and devotion to the nation would remain a source of inspiration for generations to come. According to the Royal Household Bureau, the princess died on Thursday evening at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, where she had been under continuous treatment.
Princess Collapsed Suddenly During Training
The bureau stated that despite close monitoring and sustained treatment by doctors, she passed away peacefully at 7:48 pm. The princess had been admitted to hospital on 15 December 2022. At the time she was training with her pet dog in the Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima province when she suddenly collapsed due to a heart-related problem. Her condition steadily deteriorated thereafter. According to official details, inflammation in her large intestine led to a severe infection in her abdomen, which went on to affect several of her organs.
Condition Worsened Sharply in Recent Days
The infection caused her blood pressure to drop sharply, made her heartbeat irregular and also disrupted her blood-clotting process. Over the past few months her condition had become even more fragile. According to a report by the Bangkok Post, following her death King Maha Vajiralongkorn directed that all state rituals connected with the funeral be carried out with the highest honour in keeping with royal tradition. The princess's body will be placed for final viewing at the Phiman Rattaya Throne Hall of the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
Renowned for Her Work in the Legal Field
Princess Bajrakitiyabha was born on 7 December 1978. She was the eldest child of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Princess Somsawali Krom Muen Suddhanarinatha. In a televised address, acting Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the princess was the pride of Thailand. He added that her dedication to building a society rooted in compassion, justice and equality would forever serve as a moral inspiration for the country. Princess Bajrakitiyabha was particularly recognised for her work in social service and the legal field.
Studied Law at Cornell University
The princess had launched a campaign called 'Kamlangjai' (Inspire), aimed at rehabilitating women prisoners and helping them rejoin the mainstream of society. She completed her law studies at Cornell University in the United States. She then worked at Thailand's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York in the early 2000s. Later, from 2012 to 2014, she served as Thailand's ambassador to Austria. In 2017 she was also appointed a goodwill ambassador of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Crowds Gather in Bangkok to Pay Tribute
According to a report by Al Jazeera, her efforts made a significant contribution to prison reforms concerning women. It was largely due to her work that the United Nations adopted the 'Bangkok Rules' in 2010, which laid down international standards for the treatment of women prisoners and their rights. After the announcement of her death, large numbers of people arrived at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok to pay their respects. Across the country, people are remembering her public service, social work and humanitarian contribution.
