In Thailand, black clothes have been added to the clothing selections of stores in case of any sad news that may befall the nation. 44 year old princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati has been in the hospital since mid December.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha lost consciousness in mid-December in the central Thai province of Nakhon Ratchasima. The princess had been outside training her dogs.
The Guardian (you are switching to another service) -the British newspaper writes that Thailand’s Supreme Court has urged citizens to avoid boisterous New Year’s celebrations and to pray Ong-Bha-name for the princess better known in her home country.
Official information about the princess’ condition is scarce, and the rumor mill is spinning. At first, the princess was said to have suffered from heart problems, but also from a cerebral hemorrhage that caused widespread destruction and, among other things, damage to the liver, lungs and heart.
A possible next ruler of Thailand?
The princess’s illness is also important for the continuity of the monarchy.
The line of succession favors boys, but the royal family has not named anyone as the official heir to the crown. The princess is the king’s eldest child from his first marriage.
Behind the official facade, very little is known about the princess. He has studied at Cornell University and served, among other things, as Thailand’s ambassador to Austria. In addition, she has worked to improve the conditions of Thai female prisoners.
The princess is characterized as one of the most popular members of the royal family.
The princess has stayed out of daily politics. He has not publicly commented, for example, on the 2020 mass demonstrations in favor of democracy that demanded the reform of the King’s House.
The reporter told about getting sick – got angry
The Thai royal family is surrounded by secrecy. British reporter following Thailand Andrew MacGregor Marshall however, wrote about it very frankly on social media.
He got a surge of anger in his neck.
– It is not my intention to attack the royal family in any way. It’s a sad thing that something so serious happens to anyone, MacGregor tells in a phone interview from Edinburgh.
According to MacGregor’s sources, the princess is practically brain dead. MacGregor was the first to report that the princess’ vital functions were being artificially maintained.
– I am a journalist and I do my job because I think people deserve to know what is happening. Unfortunately, the Thai court has a long tradition of secrecy. More and more people now want information.
“God beings cannot get sick”
According to MacGregor, the Thai court also has political goals in the situation.
Attempts are being made to strengthen the position of the scandal-ridden royal family, as millions of people have been mobilized to pray for the princess’s recovery, which, however, is not in sight due to damage to her internal organs.
– The situation can continue for days and weeks. In Thailand, royalty is still seen as of divine origin. Getting sick breaks the spell. Bad news is difficult for many to understand.
MacGregor estimates that there may also be genuine confusion behind the court’s meager information line. It is not known what to do when a healthy, relatively young person suddenly becomes ill.
“Reporting must continue”
Andrew MacGregor says he bases his information on reliable sources, which he does not disclose according to journalistic ethics.
– I would love to work with open sources, but in this situation it is not possible.
Also, among other things, an American online news site VOA (you will switch to another service) has written about getting sick. According to it, court sources had characterized the princess’ condition as “somewhat stable” before Christmas.
Injured royalists have accused journalist MacGregor of disgraceful conduct. MacGregor says he’s used to hate speech.
– If Hovi told the truth, I would be unemployed. I have to keep reporting because the rumors are going around, he says.
– In private, I get very encouraging feedback. Some of the royalists are bigots, and the feedback is accordingly.
Thailand does not want to jeopardize the busiest holiday season
Postponing the publication of the princess’s health information may also have an economic reason in Thailand.
We don’t want to confuse New Year’s tourism after the heavy pandemic season and two exceptional years. Bangkok is especially famous for celebrating the turn of the year.
According to MacGregor’s sources, the announcement of the death may come in January. He recalls that the official announcement of the former king of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej death was postponed for months and from time to time it was announced that his health had improved.
– Of course, the reason is also human. Surely every family member sitting next to a ventilator hopes that a miracle will happen and that a turn for the better will come one day, says MacGregor.