Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, passed away at the age of 47, according to a statement from the royal palace on Friday. She had endured multiple health challenges and remained in a coma for nearly four years.

The princess was admitted to a hospital in December 2022 after suddenly losing consciousness from a heart ailment while in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. She was then transported by helicopter to Bangkok for further medical care.

Her death occurred on Thursday evening amid a decline triggered by an intra-abdominal infection, colitis, low blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and clotting disorders, the palace noted.

Born on December 7, 1978, to the then Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and his first wife Princess Soamsawali, Bajrakitiyabha was affectionately called Princess Pa by the public.

She will be fondly recalled in Thailand for her active involvement in public affairs, initiatives to support women in prison, and her work in diplomacy.

Princess Pa's many roles

After earning a Master's degree and a Doctorate in law from Cornell University, she served as an attorney in the Thai Office of the Attorney-General from 2006 to 2011.

Between 2012 and 2014 she acted as Thailand's ambassador to Austria, Slovenia, and Slovakia, later resuming duties at the attorney-general's office in Bangkok.

She established a charitable organization dedicated to advancing the rights of female inmates, with special focus on those who were pregnant during incarceration.

In 2017 the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice named her goodwill ambassador for the rule of law in Southeast Asia.

She joined the army in 2021, receiving the rank of general and serving as chief of staff in the Royal Security Command.

The princess was among the three children of King Vajiralongkorn who hold formal titles and remain eligible to succeed to the throne under the constitution.

Thailand's Queen Mother passed away at 93 in October of the previous year.

Royal funeral ceremonies will be conducted by the palace, and the government is anticipated to announce a period of national mourning.