Thailand’s Royal Family Provides Update on Princess in 3-Year Coma
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In a recent development, the Thai royal family has shared a rare health update on Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, also known as “Princess Bha,” who has been in a coma for the past three years. The princess, who is the eldest child of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, was hospitalized after collapsing in December 2022 due to a heart condition. According to reports, Princess Bha’s medical team at the Chulalongkorn Red Cross Hospital in Bangkok has found that she is also battling a severe infection in her bloodstream. The doctors have been administering antibiotics and medication to stabilize her condition and maintain her blood pressure.
The royal family disclosed that despite being unconscious, Princess Bha’s lungs and kidneys are functioning with the help of medical devices and medication. Hello! reported that her treatment plan includes broad-spectrum antibiotics and dialysis sessions to address her deteriorating kidney function. Princess Bha’s health has been a closely guarded secret by the Thai royal family, with only four statements being released since her hospitalization nearly three years ago.
Before her illness, Princess Bha had an impressive career, earning degrees in law and international relations in Thailand and the United States. She worked for the United Nations and served as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria. Additionally, she was actively involved in advocating for improved conditions for incarcerated women globally, which contributed to the UN’s adoption of the “Bangkok Rules” in 2010. Despite her contributions and capabilities, the King, known as Rama X, has not officially declared a successor.
The King has five children from his second wife, Yuvadhida Polpraserth, but she and her children were reportedly banished from Thailand following their divorce. There have been rumours of a succession shakeup, particularly after the return of one of the sons, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, to Thailand in 2023. Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, 38, another of the King’s children, was brought back to live with the royal family, while Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, 20, the King’s youngest child from his third wife, Srirasmi Suwadee, is considered a possible successor.
As Princess Bha remains in a coma battling health challenges, the Thai royal family’s latest update has shed some light on her condition, but much remains unknown about her prognosis and future. The uncertainty surrounding the royal succession in Thailand adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as the nation awaits further announcements from the palace. With Princess Bha’s significant contributions in her career and advocacy work, her absence from public life continues to be felt, leaving many hoping for positive developments in her health and the royal family’s future.