Bangkok - Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol has died at age 47, the Royal Palace announced Friday. The King’s eldest daughter passed away peacefully Thursday evening after a three-year struggle with a severe abdominal infection that required life-support systems for her lungs and kidneys.
Known affectionately as "Princess Bha," she was hospitalized in December 2022 with a mycoplasma infection. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described her death as an immeasurable grief for the nation, calling her the "pride of Thailand" and a moral legacy for future generations.
A distinguished legal scholar, Bajrakitiyabha earned her doctorate from Cornell University, focusing on the rights of the accused. Her advocacy directly influenced the UN General Assembly's adoption of the "Bangkok Rules" regarding female prisoners. She served as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria and worked as a public prosecutor before dedicating her later years to criminal justice reform.
Funeral rites will be held with the highest royal honors at the Grand Palace. Mourners have begun gathering at Chulalongkorn Hospital, where she received treatment, to pay their respects.