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Thai Princess Dies at 47 After Abdominal Infection

2 sources · 12 Jun 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press

Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, eldest daughter of Thailand's king, died at age 47 on Thursday night (11) after nearly four years hospitalized, according to an announcement by the Thai Royal Palace. The death was caused by an abdominal infection that developed during her prolonged hospitalization.

Press quotes (2)
Jovem Pan

"O Palácio Real da Tailândia anunciou nesta sexta-feira (11) a morte aos 47 anos da princesa Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, filha mais velha do rei do país"

Jovem Pan

"A princesa Bha, como era conhecida, sofria de uma infecção abdominal e "seu estado continuou piorando" até ela morrer, na noite anterior"

The princess had been hospitalized since December 2022, when she collapsed while exercising her dogs. According to the BBC, doctors attributed the initial collapse to severe cardiac arrhythmia caused by a mycoplasma infection in her heart. She remained in critical condition since then, depending on machines to maintain lung and kidney functions.

Press quotes (2)
BBC

"She collapsed in December 2022 while exercising her dogs. Her doctors attributed it to a severely irregular heartbeat, caused by a mycoplasma infection in her heart."

Jovem Pan

"ela dependia de aparelhos para manter suas funções pulmonares e renais, além de medicação"

A Cornell University law graduate, Bajrakitiyabha worked as a prosecutor in Thailand and as the country's ambassador to Austria. She also worked with UN agencies and became an advocate for women's rights. As the only child from King Vajiralongkorn's first marriage, the 73-year-old king has seven children from four marriages, she held a prominent position in the royal family, though the king has not announced his designated heir.

Press quotes (2)
Jovem Pan

"obteve licenciatura em direito pela Universidade de Cornell e atuou como embaixadora da Tailândia na Áustria. Também ocupou cargos na ONU e se tornou defensora dos direitos das mulheres"

Jovem Pan

"filha única do primeiro casamento do rei Vajiralongkorn"

The body will lie in state at Bangkok's Grand Palace, with a funeral "with the highest honors, according to royal tradition," the Royal Palace reported. The king has seven children from four marriages, and Thai succession rules favor men.

Press quotes (2)
Jovem Pan

"O corpo será velado no Grande Palácio de Bangcoc, e o funeral vai acontecer "com as mais altas honras, segundo a tradição real"

Jovem Pan

"O rei, de 73 anos, que tem sete filhos de quatro casamentos, não anunciou seu herdeiro designado, embora as regras de sucessão favoreçam os homens"

1. What we know (2)

Princess died at 47 after nearly four years hospitalized since collapse in December 2022

2 sources Jovem Pan Valor Econômico

Was king's eldest daughter with law degree, worked as prosecutor and ambassador

2 sources Jovem Pan Valor Econômico
2. Where coverage thins out (2)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

Covered by only some sources (2)

Initial collapse was caused by cardiac problems while training/exercising dogs

Reported by: Valor Econômico
Did not cover: Jovem Pan

Developed abdominal infection associated with large intestine inflammation in April

Reported by: Valor Econômico
Did not cover: Jovem Pan
3. What we don't know yet (3)
  • What was the princess's specific position in the Thai royal line of succession?

    Why it's still unknown: Sources mention succession rules favor men, but don't specify her exact position in the line of succession

    Did not cover: Jovem Pan Valor Econômico
  • What were the specific medical causes that led to the development of the fatal abdominal infection?

    Why it's still unknown: Sources report the progression from cardiac problems to abdominal infection, but don't detail the medical mechanism of this evolution

    Did not cover: Jovem Pan Valor Econômico
  • Has the king indicated any changes to the line of succession following the princess's death?

    Why it's still unknown: Sources don't report statements from the king about succession impacts resulting from the death

    Did not cover: Jovem Pan Valor Econômico

All sources

2