BANGKOK, THAILAND – Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has died at the age of 47, the Royal Household Bureau announced.
Her passing occurred on June 11, 2026, at 7:48 PM at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok. The princess had been unconscious in the hospital since December 15, 2022, following a sudden and severe heart condition. Doctors had been fighting for her life for three years.
Her condition had further deteriorated since May 21, 2026, due to a peritoneal infection resulting from inflammation of the large intestine. This was accompanied by low blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, and blood clotting disorders. Despite intensive medical care, stabilization was no longer possible.
Aufgewachsen zwischen Bangkok und England
Born on December 7, 1978, Bajrakitiyabha was the first child of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Princess Soamsawali. Her early education took place at Rajini School in Bangkok. She later transferred to Heathfield School in Ascot, England, before completing her secondary education at Chitralada School in Bangkok.
In 2000, she earned two degrees: a Bachelor of Laws from Thammasat University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Sukhothai Thammathirat University. This dual qualification foreshadowed her future path in law, diplomacy, and international engagement.
Juristin mit Doktortitel aus Cornell
For her postgraduate studies, Bajrakitiyabha moved to the United States. At Cornell Law School, she obtained her Master of Laws in 2002 and her Doctor of Juridical Science in 2005, one of the most demanding legal degrees awarded by American universities. In 2012, the Chicago-Kent College of Law bestowed upon her an honorary doctorate.
With this robust education, she entered public service. From 2005 to 2006, she served as First Secretary at Thailand’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. She then transitioned to the public prosecutor’s office, working in Udon Thani, Pattaya, and Nong Bua Lam Phu, as well as in the office for drug offenses.
Botschafterin in Wien, Staatsanwältin in Thailand
From 2012 to 2014, Bajrakitiyabha represented Thailand as Ambassador to Austria. Concurrently, she was the Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna and other international organizations based in the Austrian capital. After concluding her diplomatic mission, she returned to the public prosecutor’s office.
In February 2021, she was transferred to the Royal Security Command, where she served as Chief of Staff for the King’s personal bodyguard command with the rank of General. In August 2025, the Royal Gazette appointed her Deputy Commander of the Royal Security Command.
Das Kamlangjai-Projekt: Würde hinter Gittern
Beyond her roles in prosecution and diplomacy, her humanitarian work brought Bajrakitiyabha international renown. In 2006, she initiated the Kamlangjai Project, which aimed to improve the living conditions of women in Thai prisons, particularly pregnant inmates and mothers with young children, and to promote their reintegration into society.
In 2008, she expanded this initiative with the ELFI Project — Enhancing Lives of Female Inmates. This program advanced the development of international standards for the treatment of female prisoners and advocated for non-custodial measures for female offenders.
Die Bangkok Rules: ein Erbe bei den Vereinten Nationen
The princess’s dedication directly contributed to the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the “United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders” in 2010. Because Bajrakitiyabha was instrumental in their creation, these rules have been internationally known as the Bangkok Rules ever since.
She also served as a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Rule of Law in Southeast Asia for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and chaired the advisory committee of the Thailand Institute of Justice.
Staatsbegräbnis mit höchsten Ehren
King Maha Vajiralongkorn has ordered that the funeral ceremonies be conducted according to the highest royal traditions. The princess’s body will lie in state in the Phiman Rattaya Hall at the Grand Palace. Details regarding further mourning ceremonies and the exact schedule are still pending and will be announced following official confirmation.
Bajrakitiyabha leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond Thailand’s borders. The Bangkok Rules, which serve as a benchmark in prisons worldwide today, bear her name, even though she herself never sought the spotlight.