In an unusually transparent display of information regarding the Thai Monarchy, reflecting the seriousness of Princess Bajrakitiyabha's -known as Princess Bha- situation, the Royal Court doctors released a new report on Tuesday, detailing the almost desperate attempts to stabilize the eldest daughter of King Rama X, who has been in a vegetative state since December 2022. The report states, "Her Royal Highness is receiving continuous treatment to stabilize her blood pressure due to a severe infection," adding that she is being administered medications to stabilize her blood pressure, along with antibiotics to support kidney function and is receiving mechanical ventilation."
Princess Bajrakitiyabha's condition worsened significantly last week when the hospital team monitoring her detected a serious bloodstream infection. This marked the fourth medical report on the health of the sovereign's eldest daughter over the years. This Tuesday's report is the fifth, undoubtedly indicating that the Thai public could be prepared for any eventuality. It is important to note that the royal family of the Southeast Asian country is untouchable, and all information regarding its members is heavily restricted and controlled by the Palace. Thailand enforces a draconian law against lese-majesty, where any criticism or comment deemed offensive or damaging to the dignity of the Chakri dynasty is punishable by several years in prison. Despite this, the Crown maintains strong popular support. Some members of the royal family are particularly beloved, such as Princess Bajrakitiyabha (47 years old). Spontaneous public acts of citizens, deeply Buddhist, have taken place in Bangkok and other cities in recent days, uniting in prayers for the recovery of this daughter of the controversial Rama X.
Also highlighting the delicate situation was the news last week that Queen Suthida of Thailand (47 years old) had canceled her trip to Mallorca to participate in one of the most anticipated regattas on the global nautical calendar. The likely reason being concern for the princess's condition, in a coma at the Chulalongkorn Hospital of the Red Cross.
Suthida and Rama X met on a plane in 2013 when she was working as a flight attendant at Thai Airlines and, after getting married, became his fourth wife. She quickly became the fourth wife of one of the most eccentric - and wealthy - monarchs on the planet. Queen Suthida did participate last year in the regattas on the Spanish island as part of the Thai team competing in the Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week, staying with her security team and extensive entourage in a luxury hotel in Calvià, a few kilometers from the center of Palma.
She was seen wearing the same clothing as the Vayu boat crew (long-sleeved team shirt, another white shirt underneath, shorts, long leggings underneath, and a buff around her neck), with a sports bag slung over her left shoulder, and protected with a cap and mirrored sunglasses. Most citizens who crossed paths with her in Palma were unaware that she was none other than the Queen of Thailand.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha suffered a heart attack and multi-organ failure at the end of 2022, at the age of 44, while attending a military dog training event. Various international media outlets reported that she was clinically dead, prompting the Royal Palace to issue a statement, highly unusual in a regime where everything related to the Monarchy, such as the Thai monarchy, is meticulously controlled, to ensure that Bha - as the princess is known - had been "stabilized to a certain level."
Bha is the daughter of the first of the four women of the current Thai king, Maha Vajiralongkorn -Rama X-. Many analysts and experts on the Chakri dynasty considered the princess as a potential successor to the throne. The latest Constitution amendment allows for a woman to be head of state. The future of the Thai dynasty is very uncertain, as the king's older male children are disowned, stripped of their titles and succession rights. Although Rama X is often accompanied at many official events by his son Dipangkorn, 21, seemingly acknowledging him as his heir, many sources suggest that he suffers from autism, an aspect never officially confirmed by the Court.