Vivian Balakrishnan pays respects to late Princess Bajrakitiyabha & meets Thai PM Anutin in Bangkok

Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan paid his respects to Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest daughter of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, on Jul. 14 while on a working visit to Bangkok.

Paying respects

Bajrakitiyabha passed away on Jun. 11 after being in a coma for almost three years, after being hospitalised for a cardiac condition in 2022.

Vivian, accompanied by MFA officials, presented a wreath to the late princess, and in a social media post, paid tribute to her.

He called her a steadfast champion of the vulnerable and disadvantaged, noting her initiatives to uplift underprivileged children and support female inmates.

He also credited her as an accomplished diplomat, saying she had represented Thailand on the international stage with distinction and grace, citing her advocacy for justice, the rule of law, and women's rights, which had earned her recognition from the United Nations and the international community.

Vivian said that Singapore extended its deepest condolences to the King, the royal family and the people of Thailand, as well as a book of condolence.

Highest honors

Bajrakitiyabha was hospitalised in December 2022 after experiencing heart problems while training her pet dogs for the Thailand Working Dog Championship.

Her condition worsened, and she eventually fell into a coma.

On Jun. 11, 2026, the Bureau of the Royal Household reported that she had passed away, after her condition had worsened.

Her father issued a royal command ordering the Bureau of the Royal Household to arrange royal funeral rites with the highest honours according to royal traditions, as well as to enshrine her at the Phiman Rattaya Hall in the Grand Palace.

Informal Myanmar meeting

Vivian was in Bangkok to attend the Informal Meeting of Asean Foreign Ministers with Myanmar and the Extended Informal Consultation on Myanmar.

There he received a briefing by a senior representative of the Myanmar authorities, Tin Maung Swe, on developments in Myanmar.

Myanmar has been fighting a civil war between the military-backed government, sometimes referred to as the Junta, and a number of Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) as well the the People's Defence Force (PDF), ever since the military seized power in February 2021.

The Junta had initialled agreed with Asean to conform to the Five-Point Consensus, which included the cessation of hostilities and giving the bloc access to political prisoners, amongst other things, but has thus far failed to comply, instead holding elections in December 2025 in attempt to legitimise the government.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Vivian stressed that all Asean countries reaffirmed the central importance of the Five-Point Consensus, saying that it was and it remains valid.

Three areas for progress

Vivian then said that Asean wanted to see demonstrable progress in three specific areas. First, an end to violence, especially against civilians. Second, the release of political detainees, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

And finally, for the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management to be able to deliver assistance across Myanmar, regardless of political allegiance.

Replying to a question about inviting Myanmar back to Asean before progress had been shown, Vivian said that Asean was trying to engage with all stakeholders, including military authorities .

He said that they were also engaging with a wide variety of EAOs and the PDF, who were opposed to the Myanmar junta.

"The key point is Asean wants to engage across the board, widely and in an inclusive manner."

While in Bangkok, Vivian was also hosted to lunch by Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Vivian said that both countries had enjoyed a "close and enduring friendship", and said he looked forward to working with Anutin to "further strengthen the Singapore-Thailand partnership and advance Asean's shared interests."