The Thai royal household has announced the death of Princess Bajrakitabha, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who had been in a coma for three years following a sudden collapse. The princess, 45, was a prominent figure in Thailand's legal and diplomatic circles, known for her work on women's rights and criminal justice reform. Her passing has triggered a UK-led medical review, a rare move that signals international concern over the circumstances of her long-term care and the transparency of the palace's medical protocols.
The review, expected to be conducted by a team of British neurologists and intensive care specialists, will examine the treatment she received during her coma. This unprecedented step follows calls from human rights groups and foreign diplomats for clarity on the princess's condition, especially given the palace's history of cryptic health announcements. The development could have significant implications for Thailand's deeply entrenched royal secrecy and its constitutional monarchy.
As the nation enters a formal mourning period, the royal succession remains under scrutiny, with the king's health also a subject of intense speculation.
