Saudi Arabia's King Salman has extended heartfelt condolences to Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn following the demise of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. The King expressed his deepest sympathies to the Thai monarch, the royal family, and the people of Thailand. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman also conveyed a similar message of condolence.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha's Life and Legacy
Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest child of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, passed away on Thursday at the age of 47, according to Thailand's Bureau of the Royal Household. She was a distinguished lawyer and diplomat who had been undergoing medical treatment at a Bangkok hospital since December 2022 after collapsing during a training session with dogs for an army exhibition. Thai authorities stated that she suffered from a mycoplasma infection, a bacterial illness often linked to pneumonia.
The princess was highly regarded for her contributions to legal and criminal justice reform. She spearheaded initiatives to improve conditions for female prisoners and supported their rehabilitation and social reintegration through her "Kamlangjai" ("Inspire") project. A graduate of Thammasat University in Thailand and Cornell University in the United States, she worked as a public prosecutor, served at Thailand's mission to the United Nations in New York, and later acted as Thailand's ambassador to Austria from 2012 to 2014.
International Recognition
Princess Bajrakitiyabha also served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, playing a pivotal role in promoting the "Bangkok Rules," which establish international standards for the treatment of women prisoners and non-custodial measures for female offenders.
In a televised address, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul honored the princess, calling her "a pride of Thailand" and noting that her dedication to justice, equality, and social welfare would leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
