{{Short description|Thai princess (born 1978)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox royalty | image = Princess Bajrakitiyabha.jpg | caption = Bajkratiyabha in 2013 | name = Bajrakitiyabha | title = Princess Rajasarini Siribajra | succession = Ambassador of Thailand to Austria, Slovakia, and Slovenia {{Infobox officeholder/office | termstart = 4 September 2012 | termend = 1 October 2014 | nominator = Yingluck Shinawatra | primeminister = {{ubl|Yingluck Shinawatra|Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan (acting)|Prayut Chan-o-cha}} | predecessor = Somsak Suriyawong | successor = Attayut Srisamut }} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|12|07|df=y}} | birth_place = Bangkok, Thailand | death_date = | death_place = | full name = Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati | house = Mahidol | dynasty = Chakri | father = Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) | mother = Soamsawali Kitiyakara | religion = Theravada Buddhism | occupation = {{hlist|Ambassador|attorney}} | signature = Signature of Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, 2022.png | module = {{Infobox military person | embed = yes | allegiance = Kingdom of Thailand | branch = {{ubl|Royal Thai Army|Royal Security Command}} | branch_label = Branch | service_years = 2021–2022 | rank = General | commands = {{ubli|4th Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment|Royal Security Command}} }} }} {{Infobox manner of address |background = #f46e0f |color = #ffffff |name = {{ubl|Princess Bajrakitiyabha|Princess Rajasirini Siribajra}} |image = Female Royalty's Standard of Thailand.svg |size = 100px |reference = Her Royal Highness |spoken = Your Royal Highness }} {{Thai Royal Family}} '''Bajrakitiyabha, Princess Rajasarini Siribajra''' ({{langx|th|พัชรกิติยาภา นเรนทิราเทพยวดี}}, {{RTGS|''Phatchara Kitiyapha Narenthira Thepphayawadi''}}, also known as '''Princess Bha'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/21/who-is-princess-bha-thailands-presumed-royal-heir-is-lying-in-hospital|title=Who is Princess Bha? Thailand's presumed royal heir is lying in hospital|work=The Guardian|first=Fiona|last=Kelliher|date=20 December 2022|accessdate=7 December 2023}}</ref> or '''Patty''',<ref name="Patty">{{cite web |url=https://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/may05/commencement/commencement_color.jw.html|title=Commencement 2005: Cell phones, cameras, congratulations, challenges and a princess|access-date=21 October 2011|work=Cornell University News Service|date=29 May 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114015633/http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/may05/commencement/commencement_color.jw.html|archive-date=14 January 2012}}</ref> born 7 December 1978) is a Thai princess and diplomat of Thailand, the first grandchild of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit of Thailand, and the only one of the seven children of King Vajiralongkorn born to his first wife Princess Soamsawali.
In December 2022, Bajrakitiyabha collapsed as a result of a heart condition while out walking her dogs. As of {{Monthyear}}, she remains in a coma and is not expected to recover.
== Early life and education == [[File:Princess Bajrakitiyabha 2010-10-6.jpg|thumb|left|160px|Princess Bajrakitiyabha at Headquarters of the United Nations in 2010]] Princess Bajrakitiyabha was born on 7 December 1978 at Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, Dusit Palace in Bangkok. She is the eldest child and first daughter of Vajiralongkorn and his first wife princess Soamsawali. She studied at the all-girls Rajini School when she was in elementary and junior high school. She moved to England and began her secondary education first at Heathfield School in Ascot,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Paige |title=5 things to know about Princess Bajrakitiyabha, daughter of Thai King Vajiralongkorn and his first wife Princess Soamsawali |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3038354/5-things-know-about-princess-bajrakitiyabha-daughter-thai |access-date=10 December 2019 |work=South China Morning Post}}</ref> finishing at the Chitralada School.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha received an LL.B. degree from Thammasat University, as well as a B.A. degree in International Relations from Sukhothai Thammatirat University, both in 2000. She subsequently obtained an LL.M. degree from Cornell Law School in 2002 and a J.S.D. degree from Cornell University in 2005.<ref name="Patty"/><ref>[http://www.tijthailand.org/main/en/content/311.html CURRICULUM VITAE Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand]- website Thailand Institute of Justice {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220205643/http://www.tijthailand.org/main/en/content/311.html|date=20 December 2016}}</ref>
On 12 May 2012, she was awarded an honorary LL.D. degree from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.<ref>{{cite web|title=Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand and ABA President-elect Laurel G. Bellows to address 2012 IIT Chicago-Kent graduates|url=http://www.kentlaw.iit.edu/news/2012/commencement-2012|website=Kentlaw.iit.edu|date=8 May 2012|access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref>
Princess Bajrakitiyabha was the only child given the title of ''Kromma Luang'', the 3rd level of the ''Krom'' ranks by her father. She was the Princess Rajasarini Siribajra (''Krom Luang'' Rajasarini Siribajra).<ref>[https://www.gcc.go.th/?p=94498 พระประวัติสมเด็จพระเจ้าลูกเธอ เจ้าฟ้าพัชรกิติยาภา ฯ]</ref>
== Career == In 2002, she was a summer legal intern at Baker McKenzie's Washington, D.C. office.<ref name="wapo02">{{cite news |last1=Grove |first1=Lloyd |title=Hey, Princess, Where's That Legal Brief? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2002/05/29/the-reliable-source/1d0acab6-d70b-4dec-b58d-229858ae25f2/ |access-date=18 July 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=29 May 2002}}</ref> On completion of her legal education Princess Bajrakitiyabha worked briefly at the Thai Permanent Mission to the United Nations, in New York, before returning to Thailand. In September 2006, she was appointed Attorney in the Office of the Attorney General in Bangkok, and was then appointed to Office of the Attorney General of Udon Thani Province.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=79739 |title=Hrh Princess Bajrakitiyabha Will Serve As Attorney Of The Office Of The Attorney-general |website=Thaivisa.com |date=21 August 2006 |access-date=19 September 2011}}</ref>
From 2012 to 2014, she was the Thai ambassador to Austria, until she returned to a post at the Office of the Attorney General.
On 3 February 2021, the princess was transferred from her position as an attorney in the Office of the Attorney General to the Royal Security Command in the position of Chief of Staff of The King's Close Bodyguard Command and bestowed the rank of general.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pptvhd36.com/news/%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%99/141464|title = พระบรมราชโองการ โปรดเกล้าฯ "พลเอกหญิงสมเด็จพระเจ้าลูกเธอ เจ้าฟ้าพัชรกิติยาภาฯ" ทรงโอนย้าย ดำรงตำแหน่ง "เสนาธิการ"}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sanook.com/news/8346406/|title=โปรดเกล้าฯ พระราชทานพระยศ เจ้าฟ้าพัชรกิติยาภาฯ เป็น พลเอกหญิง พร้อมรับโอนจากอัยการ}}</ref>
===Work on women in the penal system=== The princess was instrumental in prodding the Thai government to submit a resolution to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Council, that detailed the vulnerability of women incarcerated in a system built principally for men. Her efforts were to lead to the UN adoption of the "Bangkok Rules",<ref name="UNODC-20110316">{{cite web |title=The Bangkok Rules; United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders with their Commentary |url=https://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prison-reform/Bangkok_Rules_ENG_22032015.pdf |website=UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) |access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref> the first set of universal guidelines addressing the treatment of women in the justice system.<ref name=DH-Dialogue>{{cite web|url=http://duihua.org/wp/?p=1205|title=Dialogue—Issue 43: Bangkok Rules Address the Plight of Women in Prison|website=Dui Hua|date=17 May 2011|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref>
Bajrakitiyabha runs the "Kamlangjai" or "Inspire" project, which reaches out to incarcerated Thai women including pregnant inmates and their babies, and intends to assure those female and pregnant inmates are given adequate assistance to prepare them to reenter society upon release.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Inspire |url=http://www.kamlangjai.or.th/en/about.php |website=The Kamlangjai Project |access-date=1 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208104822/http://www.kamlangjai.or.th/en/about.php |archive-date=8 December 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Winn|first1=Patrick|title=Thailand is moving closer to decriminalizing meth|url=https://theworld.org/stories/2016/09/07/thailand-moving-closer-decriminalizing-meth|access-date=30 October 2016|website=Public Radio International (PRI)|date=8 September 2016}}</ref> She is also working on "Enhancing lives of Female Inmates" (ELFI), a project which proposes new rules for the treatment of women prisoners and non-custodial measures for women offenders as a supplement to the 1955 Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (SMRTP).<ref>[http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/enhancing-lives-of-female-inmates.html Enhancing the lives of female inmates]. UNODC (23 April 2009). Retrieved 19 September 2011.</ref>
==Health==
In December 2022, the Bureau of the Royal Household announced that the Princess had been hospitalised following a collapse while out walking her dogs on 14 December.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati in hospital with heart problem |language=en |work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2461390/princess-bajrakitiyabha-narendiradebyavati-in-hospital-with-heart-problem |access-date=2022-12-15}}</ref> The palace confirmed that it was due to a heart condition.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-12-15 |title=Thai princess collapses from heart condition, palace says |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63983803 |access-date=2022-12-15}}</ref> She had been training her dogs for the Thailand Working Dog Championship 2022 organised by the Royal Thai Army.<ref>{{cite web |title=Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati in hospital with heart problem |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2461382/princess-bajrakitiyabha-narendiradebyavati-in-hospital-with-heart-problem |website=Bangkok Post |access-date=15 December 2022}}</ref>
The princess was initially taken to Pak Chong Nana Hospital and then transferred to the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.<ref>{{cite news |title=Thailand mum about princess' condition 5 months on from accident |url=https://www.laprensalatina.com/thailand-mum-about-princess-condition-5-months-on-from-accident/ |access-date=18 July 2023 |work=La Prensa Latina Media |agency=EFE |date=7 June 2023 |archive-date=18 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718152222/https://www.laprensalatina.com/thailand-mum-about-princess-condition-5-months-on-from-accident/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> As of {{Monthyear}}, she remains in a coma with no information publicly known about the possibility of recovery.<ref>{{cite news |title=Royal prodigal son's return stirs up Thailand |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66446895 |access-date=9 August 2023 |work=BBC News |agency=EFE |date=9 August 2023}}</ref>
As the first official update regarding her conditions since 2023, the Bureau of the Royal Family announced in August 2025 that Princess Bajrakitiyabha has been diagnosed with a severe bloodstream infection; doctors had to administer antibiotics to keep blood pressure stable. She is still supported by equipment for her lung and kidney functions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40054060|title=Palace announces Princess Bajrakitiyabha suffers severe bloodstream infection; doctors providing full treatment|website=Nation Thailand|date=15 August 2025|access-date=15 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3087301/doctors-closely-monitor-conditions-of-princess-bajrakitiyabha-after-serious-blood-infection#google_vignette|title=Doctors closely monitor conditions of Princess Bajrakitiyabha|website=Bangkok Post|date=15 August 2025|access-date=15 August 2025}}</ref>
==Honours and symbols== ===National honours=== * Dame of The Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri * Dame of the Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Thai Government Gazette|volume=136|issue=41ข|pages=7|title=ประกาศสถาปนา|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2562/B/041/T_0001.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728141221/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2562/B/041/T_0001.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 July 2019|date=28 July 2019|language=th}}</ref> * Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao, First Class<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2534/D/081/1.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413141348/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2534/D/081/1.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 April 2014|title=?? |website=Ratchkitcha.soc.go.th |access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://topicstock.pantip.com/library/topicstock/2009/06/K7972037/K7972037-61.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=Topicstock.pantip.com |access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/32/fe/0c/32fe0c6d3a085f92d9a4dc58b64e464d.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=S-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com |access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://topicstock.pantip.com/library/topicstock/2008/05/K6590182/K6590182-18.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=Topicstock.pantip.com |access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bkk1.in.th/Attachment/36138/661775_A8617288_109.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=Bkk1.in.th |access-date=23 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018215818/http://www.bkk1.in.th/Attachment/36138/661775_A8617288_109.jpg |archive-date=18 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Dame Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2548/00177185.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051204035556/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2548/00177185.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 December 2005|title=?? |website=Ratchkitcha.soc.go.th |access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref> * Dame Grand Cordon of the Order of the Crown of Thailand<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2539/B/022/1.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413144304/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2539/B/022/1.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 April 2014|title=?? |website=Ratchkitcha.soc.go.th |access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref> * Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Direkgunabhorn<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2538/B/017V003/1_1.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111054918/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2538/B/017V003/1_1.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 November 2011|title=?? |website=Ratchkitcha.soc.go.th |access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref> * King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal (First Class)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2527/D/162/7.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304221006/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2527/D/162/7.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 March 2016|title=?? |website=Ratchkitcha.soc.go.th |access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref> * King Rama X Royal Cypher Medal (First Class) * Recipient of the Commemorative Medal on the Occasion of the Coronation of H.M. King Rama X
===Foreign honours=== * {{flag|Austria}}: Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash for Services to the Republic of Austria (7 October 2014)<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.mfa.go.th/main/th/media-center/28/50300- |title= ข่าวเด่น : ประธานาธิบดีออสเตรียถวายเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ Großes Goldenes Ehrenzeichen am Bande แด่พระเจ้าหลานเธอ พระองค์เจ้าพัชรกิติยาภา |author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= 2 October 2014 |publisher= Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand |access-date= 21 May 2026 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161018220252/http://www.mfa.go.th/main/th/media-center/28/50300-|archive-date= 18 October 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mfa.go.th/main/contents/images/media-center_other-20141007-165905-0.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=Mfa.go.th |access-date=23 October 2016 |archive-date=18 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018213028/http://www.mfa.go.th/main/contents/images/media-center_other-20141007-165905-0.jpg |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Symbols=== <gallery> File:Royal Cypher of Princess Bajrakitiyabha.svg|Royal monogram of Princess Bajkratiyabha File:Royal Flag of Princess Bajrakitiyabha (2019-).svg|Royal flag of Princess Bajkratiyabha </gallery>
==Ancestry== {{ahnentafel |collapsed = yes |align = center |boxstyle_1 = background-color: #fcc; |boxstyle_2 = background-color: #fb9; |boxstyle_3 = background-color: #ffc; |boxstyle_4 = background-color: #bfc; |1 = 1. '''Bajrakitiyabha, Princess Rajasarini Siribajra''' |2 = 2. Vajiralongkorn, Rama X |3 = 3. Soamsawali, Princess Suddhanarinatha |4 = 4. Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX |5 = 5. Sirikit Kitiyakara |6 = 6. Adulakit Kitiyakara |7 = 7. Princess Bandhusavali Yugala |8 = 8. Mahidol Adulyadej, Prince of Songkla |9 = 9. Sangwan Talapat |10 = 10. (=12.) Nakkhatra Mangkala, Prince of Chanthaburi II |11 = 11. (=13.) Bua Snivongs |12 = 12. (=10.) Nakkhatra Mangkala, Prince of Chanthaburi II |13 = 13. (=11.) Bua Snivongs |14 = 14. Prince Bhanubandhu Yugala |15 = 15. Soiraya Snidvongs }}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Bajrakitiyabha}} * [http://www.friendsofpa.or.th/TH/home The Friend in need of "PA"'s website] * [http://www.kamlangjai.or.th/en/index.php Kamlangjai Project website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208142050/http://www.kamlangjai.or.th/en/index.php |date=8 December 2015 }} * [http://www.childfoundationpmk.org The Children's Foundation, Phramongkutklao Hospital's website] * [http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/enhancing-lives-of-female-inmates.html "ELFI" project] * [http://www.nabha.or.th Na Bha Foundation under HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha's website] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070811233743/http://sunsite.au.ac.th/thailand/thai_gov/Agencies/atto.htm Website, Office of the Attorney General, Thailand]
{{s-start}} {{s-hou|House of Mahidol|7 December|1978|||House of Chakri}} {{S-other|line}} {{s-bef|before = Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti}} {{S-ttl|title=Line of succession to the Thai throne|years=2nd in line}} {{s-aft|after = Princess Sirivannavari}} {{S-prec|th}} {{S-bef|before=The Princess Suddhanarinatha}} {{S-ttl|title= Thai order of precedence|years=7th position}} {{S-aft|after=Princess Sirivannavari}} {{s-dip}} {{s-bef|before = Somsak Suriyawong}} {{S-ttl|title=Thailand Ambassador to Austria|years=2012–2014}} {{s-aft|after = Attayut Srisamut}} {{s-end}} {{Thai princesses}} {{Members of the Order of the Royal House of Chakri}} {{Portal bar|Thailand|Biography|Politics|Royalty|Monarchy|Television|Law}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bajrakitiyabha}} Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:Thai female Phra Ong Chao Category:Thai people of Mon descent Category:Mahidol family Category:Cornell Law School alumni Category:Knights Grand Cordon of the Order of Chula Chom Klao Category:Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Direkgunabhorn Category:Thammasat University alumni Category:Ambassadors of Thailand to Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia Category:People educated at Heathfield School, Ascot Category:Thai women diplomats Category:Women ambassadors of Thailand Category:Children of Vajiralongkorn Category:21st-century Thai women politicians Category:20th-century Chakri dynasty Category:21st-century Chakri dynasty Category:Daughters of kings Category:People with disorders of consciousness Category:Krom Luang