JEDDAH: The leadership of Saudi Arabia has extended condolences to the Kingdom of Thailand following the death of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, a senior member of the Thai royal family and a widely respected advocate for legal and social reform.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz sent a cable of condolence to Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, expressing deep sorrow over the passing of the princess and conveying sympathies to the royal family and the people of Thailand. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman also sent a separate message offering similar condolences.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, died at the age of 47, according to Thailand’s Bureau of the Royal Household. She had been hospitalised in Bangkok since December 2022 after collapsing during military-related training. At the time, she was reported to have suffered from a bacterial infection linked to pneumonia complications.
A trained lawyer, diplomat, and public servant, the princess was recognised for her long-standing work in criminal justice reform. She played a leading role in initiatives aimed at improving the treatment and rehabilitation of female prisoners, particularly through her “Kamlangjai” (Inspire) project, which focused on reintegration and social support.
Educated at Thammasat University and Cornell University, she served as a public prosecutor and later worked at Thailand’s mission to the United Nations in New York. She also held the post of Thailand’s ambassador to Austria between 2012 and 2014.
Her contributions extended to international advocacy as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), where she supported the development of the UN’s “Bangkok Rules” on the treatment of women prisoners and non-custodial measures for female offenders.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described her as “a pride of Thailand,” noting that her commitment to justice, equality, and social welfare would remain an enduring legacy for future generations.
