BANGKOK: The late Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati made significant contributions to Thailand through royal duties spanning public welfare, legal affairs, justice reform and support for vulnerable groups.
The Princess, who was born on Dec 7, 1978, is the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Princess Soamsawali. She is also the first royal grandchild of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.
The Princess began her education at Rajini School, where she studied at kindergarten, primary and lower-secondary levels. She later attended Heathfield School in England and Chitralada School for her upper-secondary education.
The Princess graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from Thammasat University in 2001, receiving second-class honours. She also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, with first-class honours, and became a barrister-at-law from the Thai Bar Association in 2004.
She later pursued advanced legal studies in the United States, earning both a Master of Laws and a Doctor of the Science of Law from Cornell University.
A royal figure in law and justice
Princess Bajrakitiyabha has long undertaken royal duties in several fields, particularly public welfare and law, areas in which she has developed deep expertise.
She began her legal career at the Office of the Attorney-General, serving as an assistant public prosecutor at the Public Prosecutor Training Institute. She later rose through the ranks to become a deputy provincial chief public prosecutor and provincial chief public prosecutor, earning recognition as a “Princess of law”.
While serving in the justice system, she initiated the Inspire project to support women prisoners, children living with imprisoned mothers, and pregnant inmates.
The project provided assistance ranging from essential supplies and vocational training to medical services and mental rehabilitation, drawing attention from other countries for its humanitarian approach.
Her work later expanded to the international arena. On Jan 10, 2012, the Princess was transferred to serve as Thailand’s ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna, Austria. She later served as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia.
After returning to Thailand, the Princess resumed her work in the justice sector, serving as a provincial chief public prosecutor and later as an expert public prosecutor at the Office of the Attorney-General’s Region 2.
Royal work for public welfare and legal education
Beyond her official duties, Her Royal Highness has continued to carry out royal work aimed at improving the well-being of the Thai people.
The Princess served as chairperson of the Friends in Need (of “Pa”) Volunteers Foundation, Thai Red Cross Society, which supports cooperation between the public and private sectors to help people assist one another during severe natural disasters.
She is also associated with the Nabha Foundation, a royal initiative that focuses on providing assistance and career opportunities to disadvantaged people affected by legal and social circumstances.
The Princess has also promoted legal education through the Bajrakitiyabha Scholarship for Legal Education. The scholarship supports qualified law graduates and Thai barristers who wish to pursue a Master of Laws at Cornell Law School in the United States, with the aim of enabling graduates to use legal knowledge to help address national challenges.
Through her ability, dedication and gracious conduct, Her Royal Highness has received recognition from several international organisations.
The United Nations Development Fund for Women appointed the Princess a Goodwill Ambassador for efforts to end violence against women and promote the rule of law in South-East Asia. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime also presented Her Royal Highness with a Medal of Recognition in honour of her important role at the international level. - The Nation/ANN
