Thai princess dies at 47 after three years in hospital
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest child of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has died at age 47.
- She had been hospitalized for three years after falling unconscious due to illness, with her condition deteriorating in recent months.
- The princess was known for her work in justice reform and her project to help rehabilitate incarcerated women.
Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has died at the age of 47. The Bureau of the Royal Household announced her passing on Friday, stating she died Thursday evening at a Bangkok hospital where she had been treated for three years.
This loss is not merely bad news announced to the people, but an immeasurable grief in the hearts of the entire nation.
The princess fell unconscious due to illness in December 2022 while training dogs for an army exhibition. The palace attributed her condition to a mycoplasma infection. Her health had reportedly deteriorated, with medical devices supporting her lung and kidney functions.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described her death as an "immeasurable grief in the hearts of the entire nation." He lauded the princess as "a pride of Thailand" and highlighted her "commitment to building a society of kindness, justice, and equality" as a "moral legacy" and "guiding light."
She was a pride of Thailand, and that her commitment to building a society of kindness, justice, and equality, will forever remain as a moral legacy for the nation, a guiding light for generations of Thais.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha was recognized for her efforts in justice reform and was the founder of the Kamlangjai, or "Inspire" project, which aimed to help rehabilitate incarcerated Thai women before their release. Her funeral will be held with "highest honors according to royal tradition" at the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
I know she was sick, but I wished there were a miracle.
Originally published by CBS News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.