Thai People Greet Princess's Coffin Under Scorching Sun, Succession Question Resurfaces

(Bangkok, 14th) – The untimely death of Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha has plunged the nation into mourning and brought the issue of royal succession back into the spotlight.

After being bedridden and in a deep coma for more than three years, Princess Bajrakitiyabha passed away in hospital on Thursday (June 11) at the age of 47. Her body was transferred back to the Grand Palace in Bangkok on Saturday (June 13), where people gathered under the scorching sun outside the palace to welcome her return. Many arrived early to line up and participate in Buddhist ceremonies to mourn the princess.

Fifty-four-year-old English teacher Dona Phat told an AFP reporter: "I will stay here all day, until the princess's coffin arrives." She said the royal family is able to unite the nation and society in times of difficulty.

The princess's remains were transferred from Bangkok's Chulalongkorn Hospital to the Grand Palace on Saturday afternoon, after which a royal funeral ceremony was held according to Thai royal tradition. Police and public transit authorities reminded the public to expect severe traffic congestion along the procession route and advised people to avoid the area.

On that day, Thai Prime Minister Anutin also led cabinet members and senior officers from the Ministry of Interior to the Grand Palace, participating in a memorial ceremony in front of the princess's portrait in the Saha Thai Samakhom Pavilion. The Thai government has instructed officials to wear black during the mourning period and announced flags will fly at half-mast nationwide for 15 days.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha, a "General Princess," held a PhD in law from the US, served as a diplomat and prosecutor, and was once seen by royalists as a potential heir to the throne. Unexpectedly, she collapsed due to illness at the end of 2022, reigniting the issue of royal succession.

The current King Vajiralongkorn, age 73, was appointed Crown Prince at 20 and ascended the throne in 2016. His successor has not yet been designated. Traditionally, the Thai throne passed only through the male line, but a 1974 constitutional amendment allowed females to inherit the throne.

After the passing of Princess Bajrakitiyabha, of the king's six other children, the 21-year-old Prince Dipangkorn is now generally viewed as the most likely heir.

Prince Dipangkorn is the only son of the king's third wife, Srirasmi, as well as currently the only prince with a royal title. He attended the elite Chitralada School in Thailand for primary school before studying in Germany, and, on returning to Thailand, often visits Buddhist temples.

Another closely watched candidate is the 39-year-old Princess Sirivannavari. She is the only daughter among the five children born to the king's second wife, and was granted a royal title in 2005 by the late King Bhumibol. It is believed her place in the line of succession comes immediately after Prince Dipangkorn.

Princess Sirivannavari is active in the fashion industry, founding a luxury fashion label under her own name. She has represented Thailand in badminton and equestrian events at the Southeast Asian Games, winning medals.

Sirivannavari has four elder brothers, but after her parents divorced in 1996, they were stripped of royal status and later settled in the United States with their mother, thus losing eligibility for the throne. However, the king does have the authority to restore their royal status.

In August 2023, the second brother, Vacharaesorn (age 45), and the third brother, Chakriwat (age 43), returned to Thailand for the first time in 27 years, sparking speculation that Vacharaesorn, who is a lawyer, might return to the royal fold and even possibly become an heir to the throne.

However, Time magazine reported last year quoting the eldest brother, Juthavachara (age 46), that Vacharaesorn and Chakriwat were again forced to leave in June 2023. Juthavachara himself has lost eligibility to inherit the throne due to marriage to a foreign national.