Heart problems struck the princess while she was training dogs in 2022, leaving her hospitalized and in a coma for nearly four years until her death.
Saturday's royal mourning rites will move her coffin from the hospital to Piman Rattaya Throne Hall, and local media said the public will be allowed to join bathing rites.
Black-and-white news sites, black ribbon pins on bus staff and sold-out lottery number 47 reflected grief spreading beyond the hospital, while the prime minister called it a profound national loss.
Bajrakitiyabha was widely seen by analysts as a strong potential heir to the throne, though the palace never addressed that possibility officially.
Thailand mourns its 'lawyer princess.' With no clear heir, who will now lead the powerful monarchy and secure its future?
Her 'Bangkok Rules' reformed prisons globally. Will the princess’s progressive justice legacy survive without its royal champion?
The Passing of Princess Bajrakitiyabha: Implications for Thai Royal Succession and National Stability
Overview
On June 11, 2026, Princess Bajrakitiyabha of Thailand passed away after being in a coma for three years, leading to an official announcement by the Royal Household the next day. Her death sparked immediate and widespread public grief, with people gathering outside King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital to mourn. As a beloved and prominent member of the royal family, her passing deeply affected the nation. The loss of Princess Bajrakitiyabha, who was seen as a potential heir, has created uncertainty about the royal succession and raised concerns about Thailand’s future stability and direction.