5 things to know about Princess Bajrakitiyabha, daughter of Thai King Vajiralongkorn and his first wife Princess Soamsawali

Nov 19 , 2019

Princess Bajrakitiyabha has followed in her mother’s footsteps by taking a keen interest in social welfare. She is in charge of the Kamlangjai project, which helps ensure that incarcerated Thai women, particularly those who are pregnant or mothers, are given the help they need to go back into society when they are released. Photo: Instagram

Princess Bajrakitiyabha has a string of law degrees, campaigns for the rights of prisoners, and has served as a diplomat

One of King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand’s two daughters, Princess Bajrakitiyabha is the eldest child. She is now 40 years of age and is a Thai diplomat. Read on to learn some things you might not have known about her.

1. She is the only one of the king’s children born to his first wife

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn (left) and his daughter, Princess Bajrakitiyabha, preside over the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok on May 12, 2017. Photo: EPA

King Maha Vajiralongkorn – then the Crown Prince – was married to his cousin, Princess Soamsawali from 1977 to 1991. Their only child, Princess Bajrakitiyabha, was born after a year of marriage. The princess’ mother remains part of the royal family.

2. She campaigns for the rights of prisoners

Princess Bajrakitiyabha at the 21st session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna on April 23, 2012. Photo: AP

Thai prisons are overcrowded, and the country’s per capita incarceration rates are up there with those of China and Russia. Princess Bajrakitiyabha has followed in her mother’s footsteps by taking a keen interest in social welfare. She is in charge of the “Kamlangjai” project, which translates to “Inspire”. It helps ensure that incarcerated Thai women, particularly those who are pregnant or mothers, are given the help they need – such as counselling and child care – to go back into society when they are released. She also runs a project entitled “Enhancing Lives of Female Inmates”, which campaigns for humane treatment of female offenders.

3. She went to school in England