As dusk settled over the golden spires of Bangkok’s Grand Palace, crowds awaited the return of a royal family member. Princess Bajrakitiyabha had been hospitalized since December 2022 after collapsing during dog training. She died after nearly four years in a coma. On Saturday her body left the hospital in a royal procession of motorcycles and cars that traveled through traffic-free central streets lined for kilometers by citizens in black and officials in white suits with black armbands. The crowd had waited for hours. They bowed silently with heads lowered as the silver van carrying the princess passed, followed by the king’s cream-colored car. Many wept. From early morning mourners had assembled along the roadsides holding umbrellas and fans against the heat and humidity. Wanida Lainun, wearing a brooch with the princess’s image, said her aunt had taken part in one of the princess’s projects supporting underprivileged communities in northern Thailand. Known as Princess Bha, she trained as a lawyer and served in roles including ambassador to Austria and in royal security. Those present especially recalled her work for ordinary citizens, such as campaigns for female prisoners’ rights. Anchalee, who withheld her surname, noted the princess’s quick aid during natural disasters. After major floods in Bangkok in 1995, she and her mother cooked meals, packed medicine and delivered supplies to isolated areas. In October that year she created the Friends in Need project under the Thai Red Cross, installing weather stations as early-warning systems, aiding evacuations and helping flood victims escape poverty. The princess was 47 when she died on Thursday evening. Anchalee, the same age, said she had felt close to her since meeting as a student. She had waited since 10 a.m. and earlier joined the funeral bathing ceremony at the palace, a Buddhist rite of pouring holy water before the princess’s portrait. “We pray for the princess to go to a beautiful place in heaven,” she said. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul led cabinet members in the rite, all wearing white suits. The government has not yet detailed the funeral but ordered officials to wear black and flags at half-mast for 15 days. Later, workers distributed free meals to mourners still waiting outside the palace.
