Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, often known simply as Princess Bha, has been out of the public eye for nearly three years. Now, in a rare move, the Thai royal family has broken its silence. The update is not good. She is still in a coma, and her condition has taken a troubling turn.
This marks the first official health update in over two years. The palace has only released four public statements since she collapsed in December 2022. That day, she suffered a massive heart attack while training her dogs in Nakhon Ratchasima. Since then, she has remained unconscious, on life support, and closely guarded from the public spotlight.
Still on Life Support
Princess Bha is still being treated at Chulalongkorn Red Cross Hospital in Bangkok. But her condition has become more serious. Doctors recently found a severe infection in her bloodstream, and it has been tough to control.
They have had to treat her with strong antibiotics and medication to keep her blood pressure stable, which remains dangerously low. Her kidneys are failing, and she now relies on dialysis. Machines continue to support both her lungs and kidneys.
Thai Royal Family / IG / In Thailand, the royal family is surrounded by layers of secrecy. Criticizing or openly discussing their health or future plans can lead to serious legal trouble under strict lèse-majesté laws. So even though people are worried, they mostly stay quiet.
Still, this latest update has triggered quiet ripples. The international media has picked up on it, but within Thailand, the conversation remains behind closed doors. The laws make it nearly impossible for citizens or the local press to speak freely about what is really going on.
Who Is Princess Bha?
Princess Bajrakitiyabha is more than just royalty. She’s smart, driven, and highly respected. She holds a PhD in Law from the University of Chicago and studied International Relations in Thailand. She’s worked for the United Nations and served as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria.
She made a real impact in global justice, especially around women's rights in prisons. Her work helped shape the UN’s “Bangkok Rules,” which guide how female prisoners should be treated. Before her illness, she was often mentioned as the most likely heir to the throne.
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn hasn’t officially named a successor. Princess Bha, as his eldest daughter, was widely seen as the most prepared and capable option. But her coma has changed that conversation.
Thai Family / IG / Princess Bha is not recovering, per Thailand’s royal family update. The princess is still unconscious and on life support.
Now, the spotlight has shifted to her younger half-brother, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti. He is just 20 and is the King’s only son with his third wife. Not much is known about him publicly, and it is unclear if he is ready or even being considered as heir.
Still, succession talk is sensitive. With the Princess’s health fading, the future of the monarchy feels uncertain. But again, because of strict laws, this debate isn’t happening openly in Thailand. It is mostly happening in whispers or outside the country.
The Thai royal family has always been tight-lipped about personal matters. Health issues, in particular, are kept behind palace walls. This latest statement is rare. It confirms what many feared: the Princess is still gravely ill, and her condition is getting worse.