Beloved Thai Princess dead at 47 as Royal Palace confirms cause of tragic death

Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati has died aged 47, the Royal Palace has confirmed.

The Princess, affectionately known as Princess Pa, was the eldest daughter of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn. She was admitted to hospital in December 2022 after losing consciousness due to a heart condition.

She passed away on the evening of Thursday, June 11 after her condition worsened as a result of an intra-abdominal infection, colitis, low blood pressure, arrhythmias and blood clotting disorders, according to the official statement.

Born on December 7, 1978, the princess dedicated much of her life to improving the welfare of female prisoners and built a distinguished career in diplomacy.

Princess Pa studied law at Cornell University, where she was awarded both a Master’s degree and a Doctorate. She served as an attorney in the Thai Office of the Attorney-General between 2006 and 2011.

From 2012 to 2014, she served as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia.

She subsequently returned to Thailand to take up a position at the attorney-general’s office in Bangkok.

The princess also established a charity championing the rights of female inmates, particularly those who were pregnant while incarcerated.

In 2017, Bajrakitiyabha was appointed goodwill ambassador for the rule of law in Southeast Asia by the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

Having transferred to the army in 2021, she was awarded the rank of general and went on to serve as chief of staff within the Royal Security Command.

The princess was amongst the king’s three children constitutionally eligible to ascend to the throne.

The palace is set to conduct royal funeral rites, while the government is anticipated to declare a period of national mourning.