Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha, eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, dies at 47 after nearly four years in coma
Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest daughter of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has died at age 47 after being in a coma for nearly four years following a December 2022 collapse caused by a heart condition and mycoplasma infection. She was a lawyer with advanced degrees from Cornell University who served as Thailand's ambassador to Austria and advocated for criminal justice reform and women's prison rights. Her death leaves unresolved questions about royal succession in Thailand, where she was considered by analysts as a potential heir or regent, though such discussion is restricted by the country's strict lese majesty laws.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati, the eldest child of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, died on Thursday evening at age 47 after nearly four years in a coma, the royal palace announced Friday. She collapsed in December 2022 while exercising her dogs in Nakhon Ratchasima province, with doctors attributing the incident to a severely irregular heartbeat caused by a mycoplasma infection in her heart. During her hospitalization, her condition progressively deteriorated, particularly after May 21 when multiple organ infections developed; in April, physicians discovered a stomach infection causing intestinal inflammation that led to low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and blood clotting disorders. The princess held a doctorate from Cornell University and had a distinguished career as a lawyer, diplomat, and advocate, serving as Thailand's ambassador to Austria from 2012 to 2014 and as a UN goodwill ambassador focused on penal reform and women's rights. Her death raises significant questions about royal succession in Thailand, where she was widely regarded by analysts as the most capable potential heir or regent, though public discussion of succession is severely restricted by Thailand's lese majesty laws, which carry penalties of up to 15 years imprisonment.
What different sources said
- South China Morning PostCenter
Thai princess in coma dies, aged 47: royal palace
- Deutsche WelleCenter
Thai princess Bajrakitiyabha dies after years in coma
- BBCCenter
Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha dies after more than three years in coma, palace officials say
- Bangkok PostCenter
Princess Bajrakitiyabha passes away at 47
Thailand’s princess Bajrakitiyabha dies aged 47 after years in a coma
- Channel NewsAsiaCenter
Thai king's eldest daughter dies, aged 47, after long illness, Royal Palace says
- BBC Top StoriesCenter
Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha dies after more than three years in coma, palace officials say
- Sky NewsCenter
Thai princess dies aged 47
- The GuardianLeft
Thailand’s princess Bajrakitiyabha dies aged 47 after years in a coma
- The TelegraphRight
Thai princess dies aged 47 after more than three years in coma
- Times of IndiaCenter
Potential heir to Thai throne, Princess Bajrakitiyabha dies at 47 after 3-year coma
- ABC AustraliaCenter
Thai king's eldest daughter dies after long illness, royal palace says
- The Straits TimesCenter
Thai princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol dies after long illness
- ABC News InternationalCenter
Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha, who was known for her legal work, dies at 47
- NYT WorldLeft
Princess Bha of Thailand, Second in Line to the Throne, Dies at 47
Princess Bha of Thailand, Second in Line to the Throne, Dies at 47
- New York PostRight
Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha dead at 47 after nearly 4 years in coma, palace says
- NDTVCenter
Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Dies At 47, Three Years After Sudden Collapse
- The Jerusalem PostRight
Thai king's eldest daughter dies, aged 47, after long illness, Royal Palace says
- CNNCenter
Thai princess dies at 47 following years-long coma, Royal Palace says
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