Thai princess dies in Bangkok hospital after long illness

Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, a lawyer and the eldest of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's children has died at the age of 47, the Bureau of the Royal Household said.

She had been cared for at a Bangkok hospital since falling unconscious due to illness three years ago.

Mourners hold photos of Thailand's princess, Barjrakitiyabha Mahidol gathering at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital following the announcement of her death.

This local resident said, "I know she was sick but I wished there was a miracle. Last night I slept here until I heard the announcement at 7.45 this morning. I was sad and shocked."

She died Thursday evening at a Bangkok hospital where she had been cared for since falling unconscious three years ago.

Bajrakitiyabha was active in justice reform efforts and best known for her "Inspire" project to help rehabilitate incarcerated Thai women ahead of their release.

She was also involved in a campaign to enhance living conditions of women prisoners and promoting efforts to stem violence against women as an honorary UN goodwill ambassador for women. Her efforts led to the UN General Assembly adopting the 'Bangkok Rules' on care and conditions for female prisoners.

She worked briefly at the Thai Mission to the UN in New York City and worked as a public prosecutor when she returned to Thailand.

She renewed her diplomatic career with an appointment as Thailand's ambassador to Austria from 2012 to 2014. Bajrakitiyabha was hospitalised in December 2022 after falling unconscious while training dogs for an army exhibition.

The palace said she had a mycoplasma infection a bacterial infection usually associated with pneumonia.