BANGKOK — Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita, widely known as Princess Bha, passed away at 19:48 on 11 June 2026 at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, according to an announcement issued by the Bureau of the Royal Household on 11 June 2026. She was 47.
The announcement stated that Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita had been unconscious due to a cardiac condition and had been receiving treatment at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital since 15 December 2022, as previously disclosed in periodic statements by the Bureau of the Royal Household.
Since 21 May 2026, her condition deteriorated after she developed an abdominal infection caused by inflammation of the large intestine, along with low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia and abnormal blood clotting. Despite close medical care provided by the medical team to the fullest extent, her condition continued to worsen until Thursday, 11 June 2026, at 19:48, when she passed away peacefully at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital at the age of 47.
His Majesty the King has issued a royal command ordering the Bureau of the Royal Household to arrange the royal funeral rites with the highest honours according to royal traditions, and to enshrine the royal body at Phiman Rattaya Hall in the Grand Palace.
Life and education
Born on 7 December 1978, Princess Bajrakitiyabha was the eldest child and first daughter of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Princess Soamsawali.
She studied at Rajini School before attending Heathfield School in Ascot, England, and later completed her secondary education at Chitralada School.
In 2000, she earned two undergraduate degrees: a Bachelor of Laws from Thammasat University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Sukhothai Thammathirat University.
She continued her legal studies at Cornell University in the United States, receiving a Master of Laws degree from Cornell Law School in 2002 and a Doctor of Juridical Science degree in 2005. In 2012, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
Public service and legal career
From 2005 to 2006, Princess Bajrakitiyabha served as first secretary at the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations in New York.
She subsequently joined the Office of the Attorney General, serving in several prosecutorial roles, including positions in Udon Thani, Pattaya and Nong Bua Lam Phu provinces, as well as the Office of Narcotic Litigation.
From 2012 to 2014, she served as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria and as the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Vienna and other international organisations based in the Austrian capital. She returned to prosecutorial service after completing her diplomatic posting.
Military service
In February 2021, Princess Bajrakitiyabha was transferred to the Royal Security Command, where she served as chief of staff of the King’s Close Bodyguard Command with the rank of general.
In August 2025, the Royal Gazette announced her appointment as deputy commander of the Royal Security Command.
Humanitarian work and legacy
Princess Bajrakitiyabha devoted a significant part of her public service to improving the treatment of women within the criminal justice system.
In 2006, she initiated the Kamlangjai, or Inspire, Project to improve the quality of life of women prisoners in Thailand, including pregnant inmates and mothers with young children, and to support their reintegration into society after release.
In 2008, she launched the Enhancing Lives of Female Inmates project, known as ELFI, to promote the development of international standards addressing the specific needs of women prisoners and non-custodial measures for women offenders.
These efforts contributed directly to the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders in 2010. The guidelines became widely known as the Bangkok Rules.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha also served as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Goodwill Ambassador on the Rule of Law for Southeast Asia and as chairperson of the Special Advisory Board of the Thailand Institute of Justice.
Details of the funeral rites and related arrangements have not yet been announced. Further information will be added once an official announcement is issued.
