Princess Dies at 47 After Falling Unconscious Three Years Ago

Thailand is mourning a devastating royal loss after Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira, the eldest child of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, died at age 47 following more than three years in a coma.

The Bureau of the Royal Household confirmed the princess’s death on Friday, bringing an emotional end to a long and heartbreaking medical battle that had gripped the country since December 2022.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha collapsed after suffering a heart condition while training dogs and never regained consciousness. She had been receiving care at a Bangkok hospital ever since.

Her death sent shockwaves through Thailand, where she was widely respected not only as a member of the royal family, but also as a tireless advocate for justice, human rights and prison reform.

“This loss is not merely bad news announced to the people, but an immeasurable grief in the hearts of the entire nation,” Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said in a televised address.

He described the late princess as “a pride of Thailand,” saying her work toward “kindness, justice, and equality” would remain a lasting moral legacy for the country.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha, often known for her intelligence and public service, built a reputation far beyond palace walls. She championed the rights of women in prison and helped launch the “Inspire” program, which focused on rehabilitation and giving incarcerated women a chance to rebuild their lives before release.

In a 2013 interview with The Associated Press, the princess spoke passionately about the importance of justice and the rule of law.

“Society cannot grow if there is instability and injustice,” she said at the time.

“Without the rule of law, without a good justice system, it’s always chaos,” she added. “I think the rule of law is a very important pillar to development, to economic growth, and of course to human rights.”

Her death marks a somber moment for Thailand’s royal family and for a nation now remembering a princess whose public life was defined by duty, compassion and a push for a fairer society.