Daijiworld Media Network – Bangkok

Bangkok, June 12: Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has died at the age of 47, the royal palace announced on Friday, more than three years after she was hospitalised following a sudden illness.

According to a statement issued by the Bureau of the Royal Household, the princess was suffering from an abdominal infection and her condition continued to deteriorate despite ongoing medical treatment. She passed away peacefully on Thursday evening.

The royal household said Princess Bajrakitiyabha's body will lie in state at Bangkok's Grand Palace, and her funeral will be conducted with the highest honours in accordance with royal tradition.

Popularly known in Thailand as "Princess Bha", she had remained hospitalised since December 2022 after falling seriously ill. In May this year, the royal household disclosed that her condition had worsened significantly, requiring medical devices to support her lung and kidney functions, along with continuous medication.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha was the only child from King Vajiralongkorn's first marriage to Princess Soamsawali. A trained prosecutor, diplomat and legal scholar, she received her education in Thailand, Britain and the United States, earning a law degree from Cornell University.

She later served as Thailand's ambassador to Austria and held several positions with the United Nations. Throughout her career, she championed women's rights and worked to improve conditions for female inmates in prisons.

As a senior member of Thailand's royal family, Princess Bajrakitiyabha played an important ceremonial role and was regarded as being particularly close to her father. She was appointed to a senior position within the royal bodyguard command a year before her hospitalisation.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 73, has seven children from four marriages but has yet to publicly designate an heir. Under Thailand's succession laws, male heirs are generally favoured.

Thailand's monarchy remains one of the country's most revered institutions and is protected by strict lese-majeste laws, under which criticism of the royal family can result in lengthy prison sentences.