12/06/2026
In Memoriam: HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati
Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita
Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita was the eldest child of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua (Rama X). She was His Majesty’s only daughter born to Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali Krom Muen Suddhanarinatha, former consort to the King.
Her Royal Highness was the first grandchild of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great (Rama IX) and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother. She had one younger sister, Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, and one younger brother, His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti.
Born as Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha on Thursday, 7 December 1978, at Ambara Villa (Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall), Dusit Palace, in Bangkok, the Princess was granted the new title “Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati” on 5 May 2019. She was elevated to Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita on 28 July 2019 by His Majesty the King.
Her Royal Highness started her schooling at kindergarten level at Rajini School, where she also received primary and lower secondary education. She pursued her high school education at Heathfield School in Ascot, United Kingdom, and at Chitralada School in Bangkok.
In 2001, Her Royal Highness received her LL.B. degree (Second-Class Honors) from the Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, and a B.A. in Political Science (First-Class Honors) from Sukhothai Thammatirat Open University. She obtained Barrister-at-Law from the Thai Bar Association in 2004. Later, Her Royal Highness received Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) from Cornell University, in New York. On completion of her doctorate, the Princess worked briefly at the Thai Permanent Mission to the United Nations, in New York, before returning to Thailand.
After her graduation, Her Royal Highness worked as public prosecutor at the Office of Attorney General in Bangkok and in Udon Thani, and later in Pattaya, Nong Bua Lamphu, and Rayong. She also served as Thai Ambassador to Vienna, Austria, from 2012 to 2014, and as a special lecturer for the Master of Laws Program at the Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, in 2019.
Her Royal Highness was appointed the King’s Close Bodyguard in early 2021 and later Chief of Staff at the King’s Close Bodyguard Command.
The Princess was the chairperson for a scholarship program granted to those wanting to pursue their studies for the master of laws degree at Cornell Law School. Her Royal Highness also established the “Bajrakitiyabha Scholarship Program for Legal Studies” offered to graduates in law, who also obtained Barrister-at-Law from the Thai Bar Association.
Her Royal Highness had a particular interest in the lives of female prison inmates, with an emphasis on pregnant inmates and children attached to female detainees. She initiated the Inspire Project, known in Thai as Kamlangjai Project. It aims to extend help and give encouragement to those who made mistakes in their lives and were brought to justice, and those groups of people who lack opportunity and need help to return to society as decent citizens.
The late Princess, referred to as “Princess Pa” among the Thai people, also initiated the Friends in Need (of “Pa”) Volunteers Foundation to help those suffering from natural and man-made disasters, especially floods. The foundation is run through the Thai Red Cross Society.
Her Royal Highness’s dedication, compassion, and love for the people will forever be remembered with gratitude. May the Princess rest in eternal peace.
