Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati has sadly passed away at 47 years old, as officially announced by the royal palace. Known affectionately as Princess Pa, she was the firstborn of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Princess Pa was hospitalized in December 2022 after collapsing due to a heart ailment.

Tragically, her health deteriorated, leading to her passing on the evening of June 11. The palace statement revealed that she succumbed to complications from an intra-abdominal infection, colitis, low blood pressure, arrhythmias, and blood clotting disorders.

Born on December 7, 1978, Princess Pa actively dedicated herself to advocating for the well-being of female inmates and pursuing a distinguished diplomatic career. She pursued legal studies at Cornell University, earning both a Master’s degree and a Doctorate. Subsequently, she served as a lawyer in the Thai Office of the Attorney-General from 2006 to 2011.

Between 2012 and 2014, Princess Pa held the position of Thailand’s ambassador to Austria, Slovenia, and Slovakia. She later returned to Bangkok to resume her role at the attorney-general’s office. Notably, she established a charity that focused on supporting the rights of incarcerated pregnant women.

In 2017, Bajrakitiyabha was appointed as the goodwill ambassador for the rule of law in Southeast Asia by the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Transitioning to the military in 2021, she was honored with the rank of general and served as the chief of staff in the Royal Security Command.

As one of the king’s eligible heirs under the constitution, Princess Pa’s passing is a significant loss. The palace will conduct royal funeral ceremonies, and the government is anticipated to declare a period of national mourning in her honor.