The princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest daughter of the king of Thailand, has passed away at the age of 47 more than three years after being hospitalized following a sudden illness, as confirmed by the Royal Palace. She has remained in a coma all this time. She "peacefully passed away" on Thursday night, according to the official statement released, causing a huge shock in the Thai nation, known as the land of smiles.
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 reported that she was clinically dead, prompting the Royal Palace to react with a statement, something very unusual in a regime where everything related to the Monarchy, such as the Thai monarchy, is carefully measured, to ensure that Bha -as the princess is known- had been "stabilized to a certain level". She has been in a vegetative state since then.
In late May, it was reported that her health had significantly deteriorated after developing an abdominal infection due to colon inflammation since April and showing unstable vital signs, hypotension, arrhythmia, and abnormal blood clotting. In recent weeks, everyone feared the fatal outcome in the former Kingdom of Siam.
Bha was the daughter of the first of the four women of the current Thai king, Maha Vajiralongkorn -Rama X-, the eccentric Head of State who ascended the throne at the end of 2016, following the death of his father, the astute and highly revered Bhumibol, who reigned for an impressive 70 years and was a key political figure who managed to establish the Crown as a center of cohesion and stability in a country where he himself dealt with constant coups.
It is known that our protagonist was a graduate in Law and Political Science. Internationally, she was known for her diplomatic work. She served as Thailand's ambassador to Austria from 2012 to 2014. Above all, she held honorary positions for the United Nations, such as being the national ambassador for UN Women for projects on female empowerment.
Many analysts, experts on the Chakri dynasty, considered Princess Bha as the possible successor to the throne of Rama X, that is, as the future queen of the land of smiles. Succession to the throne in Thailand is still governed by the precepts of the 1924 Constitution, which state that if a king dies without officially naming his heir, the successor must be proposed by the Privy Council of the Crown. The 2007 Constitution leaves the door open for women to reign, paving the way for the apparent favorite of the sovereign among his offspring. Although Rama X is often accompanied at many official events by his son Dipangkorn, aged 21, seemingly acknowledging him as his heir, many sources believe that he has autism. Naturally, nothing can be published on this matter in Thailand, where draconian lese majesty laws are in place, which can lead to many years of imprisonment for any comment deemed offensive towards the revered and untouchable royal family.
The Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anutin Charvirakul, called for an emergency cabinet meeting to prepare instructions from the Palace, and the national flag is flying at half-mast at the Government House, as well as in almost all public buildings in the country.
Thai authorities have already announced the route of the funeral procession that will transport the body of the princess from Chulalongkorn Hospital, managed by the national Red Cross, to the Phiman Rattaya Throne Hall in the Grand Palace of Bangkok.
The Royal House will allow citizens who wish to pay their respects and offer water to the monarch's daughter's body this Saturday, between 8:30 and 12:00.
A crowd of citizens gathered near the hospital, in a sign of mourning and respect, as soon as the news of the princess's death was announced.
Thailand was already in a year of mourning for the death of Queen Mother Sirikit, the mother of King Rama X, who passed away last October at the age of 93. The sorrow for the Consort of Bumibhol is now compounded by the sadness over the death of her granddaughter.