Obituary: Princess Bajrakitiyabha of Thailand

Princess Bajrakitiyabha of Thailand has died, aged 47. 

The eldest child of King Rama X by his first wife, Princess Soamsawali, Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, was born on 7th December 1978 in the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall of Dusit Palace in Bangkok.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha was educated at the all-girls Rajini School for elementary and middle school before moving to England to study at Ascot’s Heathfield School. The Princess returned to Dusit Palace and finished her secondary education at Chitralada School. She furthered her education at Sukhothai Thammatirat University, earning a B.A. in International Relations; she also received a Bachelor of Laws from the U.K.’s Thammasat University in 2000. Two years later, she earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Cornell University in the U.S. before obtaining a law degree from the same school in 2005.

The Princess had a large role in Thailand’s diplomacy, serving briefly at the Thai Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York; she later served as Thailand’s Ambassador to Austria from 2012 to 2014. She was also appointed a U.N. Women National Ambassador to Thailand in 2008 and UNODC Goodwill Ambassador for the Rule of Law in Southeast Asia in 2017.

Photo: Public Relations Department Thailand

She did not let her law degree go to waste, however. Princess Bajrakitiyabha was appointed as an attorney in Bangkok’s Office of the Attorney General in 2006 and later worked in the same role in Udon Thani Province. By February 2021, Her Royal Highness worked as Chief of Staff of The King’s Close Bodyguard Command in the Royal Security Command, holding the rank of general.

In Thailand, the royal was instrumental in the resolution by the Thai government that was submitted to the U.N.’s Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which advocated for women in the prison system that was created by men. Because of her advocacy, the U.N. adopted the “Bangkok Rules,” which were the first set of rules that addressed women in the penal system.

She also ran the “Inspire Project” that helped incarcerated Thai women, particularly those who were pregnant and their babies. It aimed to make sure those women were given the assistance needed to re-enter society upon their release. The Princess also worked on “Enhancing Lives of Female Inmates” to propose new rules on the treatment of women in prison and non-custodial measures for them.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha never married and had no children. She is survived by her father, King Vajiralongkorn, her mother, Princess Soamsawali, and six younger siblings: Juthavachara Vivacharawongse, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, Chakriwat Vivacharawongse, Vatchrawee Vivacharawongse, Princess Sirivannavari and Prince Dipangkorn.

Her death is a huge loss for Thailand, as she was seen as the heir apparent by many, even though the King never publicly named her as his heir. The Princess was being mentored for her future role as monarch, and now Thailand and the world wonder who will assume her role. 

Princess Bajrakitiyabha

7 December 1978 – 11 June 2026