The royal palace in Thailand announced on Friday the death of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the king's eldest daughter, at 47 after more than three years of hospitalization due to a sudden health crisis.
The royal palace's office stated in a press release that the princess had been suffering from an intestinal infection and that "her health condition continued to deteriorate until she passed away peacefully" on Thursday evening.
It added that her body will be laid out for the final viewing at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, with the funeral to be conducted "with the highest honors, in line with royal traditions."
The princess had been in the hospital since she suffered a sudden health issue during a training session with army dogs in December 2022.
The royal palace stated in August 2025 that the princess was suffering from severe blood infections and was relying on medical support equipment to revive her lung and kidney functions.
The late princess was the only daughter of the current king Maha Vajiralongkorn from his first marriage to Princess Soamsawali.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol was very close to her father and was appointed to a high-ranking position within the king's personal guard unit a year before her hospitalization.
The 73-year-old king, a father of seven from four marriages, has not named a successor yet, although the throne inheritance rules prioritize males.