The Thai Royal Family released a statement about the health of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, who was first rushed to hospital in December 2022 and is still receiving care
The Royal Family of Thailand has released a rare health update on a princess who has been in a coma for almost three years.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha is the eldest child of the country’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and fell ill back in December 2022. It is believed she collapsed as a result of a heart condition and has remained in hospital ever since.
The Thai Royal Family has kept her condition largely secret – only releasing a handful of statements about the 45-year-old in the past three years. But now a new statement has been issued revealing that the medical team at a Bangkok Hospital had “detected a severe infection in the bloodstream, leading them to administer antibiotics and medication to stimulate blood pressure in order to maintain stable levels.”
READ MORE: Disgraced Prince Andrew joins Charles’ Balmoral holiday despite humiliating claimsREAD MORE: Prince Harry places secret letter at royal event in major attempt to heal bitter feud
The statement added: “The doctors have reported that the Princess’ lungs and kidneys have been functioning with support from medical devices and medication.”
Back in December 2022, the princess was reportedly out running with her dogs in the Khao Yai national park when she collapsed. At the time, it was unclear exactly how serious her condition was.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha is the Thai public’s royal sweetheart, with her previously having been expected to take over from King Vajiralongkorn. She is his eldest child and daughter of his first wife, Princess Soamsawali.
The princess is a senior officer of her dad’s personal guard and has been a part of his inner circle since his succession in 2016.
She is the most successful of the inner group, with several degrees, including Master’s degrees from leading US university, Cornell. She also worked for the United Nations and did a stint as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria.
King Vajiralongkorn, 71, has married four times and has seven children, but he has not named an official heir.
His fourth marriage to Queen Suthida was announced just days before his coronation in 2019. The King took the crown following the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2016.
The monarchy has long been considered a pillar of Thai society, and criticism of it has been taboo.
Conservative Thais, especially in the military and courts, still consider it untouchable. However, public debate on the topic has recently grown louder, particularly among young people.