Princess Bajrakitiyabha: Thai Royal, Lawyer and Prison-Reform Advocate D

Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati was a Thai royal, lawyer and diplomat best known for her international work to improve the treatment of women in prison. Born on December 7, 1978, in Bangkok, she was the eldest daughter of King Vajiralongkorn and the granddaughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

In 1995 she founded the Puen Pheng (Bha) Yamyark Foundation under the Thai Red Cross Society. She became an attorney in the Office of the Attorney General in 2006, served as Thailand's ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia from 2012 to 2014, and received an honorary doctorate of law from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2012. She played a key role in the United Nations adoption of the Bangkok Rules, the first international guidelines on the treatment of women in the justice system, and was named a UN goodwill ambassador for the rule of law in 2017.

On December 14, 2022, she collapsed while walking her dogs, which she had been training for a working dog championship, and remained in a coma until her death. After treatment at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, she died on June 11, 2026, at age 47, remembered as a compassionate advocate for those on the margins of the justice system.

Achievements: Founded the Puen Pheng (Bha) Yamyark Foundation (1995), served as ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia (2012-2014), helped bring about the UN Bangkok Rules, named UN goodwill ambassador for the rule of law (2017).

Birth: December 7, 1978 - Bangkok, Thailand.

Profession: Royal, lawyer and diplomat.

Interesting Facts: While studying at Cornell University, she went by the name "Patty." Her prison-reform work included the Kamlangjai ("Inspire") project for incarcerated women.