Thousands of Thais pay final respect to much-loved Princess Bajrakitiyabha in royal funeral procession

Mourners line the road to pay their respects to Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol as her body is transported to the Grand Palace, where funeral rites will begin for the late princess, in Bangkok on June 13, 2026. Hundreds of black-clad Thai mourners gathered at the royal palace in Bangkok on June 13, awaiting the arrival of the body of the king's eldest daughter a day after her death was announced. -- Photo by Chanakarn Laosarakham / AFP

BANGKOK (Bernama): Thailand mourned the loss of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, as thousands of Thais lined the route from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital for the Royal Funeral Procession on Saturday.

Many mourners, dressed in black, were seen holding portraits of Princess Bajrakitiyabha as her remains were transferred in a royal cortege from the hospital to the Grand Palace.

She was conveyed in a silver van at the centre of a royal procession that departed King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital at about 4.25 pm and travelled along a 10-kilometre route before arriving at the Grand Palace at around 5.05 pm.

The Princess passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 47.

Krongthong Samarn, in her 60s, from Samut Prakan, who stood by the roadside near the Grand Palace, said Princess Bajrakitiyabha was kind and served as a source of support and inspiration for all Thai people.

"I feel that Thailand has suffered a tremendous loss, as if we have lost one of the pillars that gave us strength and reassurance.

"I am deeply saddened and at a loss for words. As an ordinary Thai citizen, I can only express my sorrow at this loss,” she told Bernama.

Mourners holding portraits of Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol wait to pay their respects along a motorcade route, as her remains are set to be transported from Chulalongkorn Hospital to the Grand Palace for the start of funeral rites, in Bangkok on June 13, 2026. Hundreds of black-clad Thai mourners gathered at the royal palace in Bangkok on June 13, awaiting the arrival of the body of the king's eldest daughter, a day after her death was announced. -- Photo by Chanakarn Laosarakham / AFP)

Krongthong said that, from now on, all Thai people must continue to do their part for Thailand to prosper and succeed.

"Even though we are only ordinary people, we love our nation, and we remain devoted to the monarchy and our King,” she said.

Earlier in the day, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul led Cabinet ministers in paying their respects and participated in the royal bathing rite for Princess Bajrakitiyabha.

The ceremony was held before the Princess's portrait at Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion in the Grand Palace.

On Friday, the Bureau of the Royal Household announced that King Maha Vajiralongkorn had granted permission for members of the public to pay their respects before the portrait of the Princess at Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion within the Grand Palace daily from 8.30 am to 4 pm, beginning on Sunday (June 14).

A condolence book will also be provided at the venue for members of the public to sign.

The Bureau added that members of the public would be allowed to pay their respects to the royal remains at Biman Rataya Pavilion following the completion of the 15-day royal merit-making ceremony, from 9 am to 9 pm daily, beginning June 27. -- BERNAMA