Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest daughter of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has died at the age of 47 following nearly four years in a coma, the royal palace announced on Friday.
The princess was hospitalized in December 2022 after collapsing due to a heart condition complicated by multiple infections.
Her health further deteriorated in May 2026 when infections spread to several organs, causing an irregular heartbeat that physicians were unable to stabilize. Earlier this year, a stomach infection led to intestinal inflammation, resulting in low blood pressure and further cardiac complications.
The princess is educated in Thailand, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and held positions with the United Nations and was an advocate for improved conditions for women in prisons. Known affectionately in Thailand as “Princess Bha,” she was considered close to her father and had been appointed to a senior role in the royal bodyguard command a year before her hospitalization.
Her passing comes less than a year after the death of Thailand’s Queen Mother at age 93, marking a period of mourning within the royal family. Bajrakitiyabha is remembered for her humanitarian work and dedication to public service, as well as her contributions to Thailand’s monarchy and civil initiatives.