Princess_Maha_Chakri_Sirindhorn_of_Thailand

Sirindhorn

Sirindhorn

Princess Royal of Thailand


Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand, the Princess Royal and the Princess Debaratana Rajasuda (Thai: มหาจักรีสิรินธร, Thai pronunciation: [mā.hǎː t͡ɕàk.krīː sì.rīn.tʰɔ̄ːn]; RTGS: Maha Chakkri Sirinthon; born April 2, 1955), formerly Princess Sirindhorn Debaratanasuda Kitivadhanadulsobhak (Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าลูกเธอ เจ้าฟ้าสิรินธรเทพรัตนสุดา กิติวัฒนาดุลโสภาคย์; RTGS: Sirinthontheppharattanasuda Kitiwatthanadunlasophak), is the second daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and younger sister of King Vajiralongkorn.[1][lower-alpha 1] Thais commonly refer to her as "Phra Thep" (Thai: พระเทพ), meaning "princess angel". Her title in Thai is the female equivalent of the title once held by her brother, King Maha Vajiralongkorn.[3] The Thai constitution was altered in 1974 to allow for female succession, thus making her eligible for the throne.[4] Having been the eldest female child of the royal family (excluding Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, who married a foreign commoner), her position is comparable to a princess royal.[5]

Quick Facts Born, Names ...

Early life

Birth

Sirindhorn was born on April 2, 1955, at Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, Dusit Palace, the third child of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. As the royal couple has only one son, the Thai constitution was altered in 1974 to allow for female succession. This made Sirindhorn second-in-line to the throne (after Vajiralongkorn) until the birth of Princess Bajrakitiyabha in 1978.

Early education

Sirindhorn attended Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary at Thailand's most exclusive school: The Chitralada School which was established for the children of the Royal Family and Palace staff.[6]

She ranked first in the National School Examinations in primary level (grade 7) in 1967, in upper secondary level (grade 12) in 1972, and fourth in the National University Entrance Examination in 1975.[7]

Higher education

In 1975 she enrolled in the faculty of arts at Chulalongkorn University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, first-class honours and a gold medal in history in 1976.[7]

From 1976 she continued her studies in two graduate programs concurrently, obtaining a Master of Arts in Oriental Epigraphy (Sanskrit and Cambodian) in 1980[7] and also archaeology from Silpakorn University in 1980. From October 1977, she studied Sanskrit in Bangkok for two years under the tutelage of renowned Sanskrit scholar Satya Vrat Shastri.[8] In 1978, she obtained a Master of Arts in Pali and Sanskrit from Chulalongkorn University.[6]

In 1981 she enrolled in a doctoral program at Srinakharinwirot University, and was awarded a PhD in developmental education in 1987.

In 1984 she earned a certificate from the Asian Regional Remote Sensing Training Centre at the Asian Institute of Technology where she studied for two months.[9]

In April 2001 she won a scholarship in Chinese culture at Peking University in China where she studied the course for a month.[10]

Later life

In December 2012, Sirindhorn was briefly hospitalised to remove calcium deposits.[11]

More popular among the Thai public than her brother Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, Sirindhorn was long rumored to be a potential successor to the Thai throne.[12] In the event, on Bhumibol's death in 2016, the crown went to Vajiralongkorn, now King Rama X. In 2019, she was bestowed the highest of royal ranks by appointment – "Krom Somdej Phra" by King Vajiralongkorn. She also received a first-class King Rama X Royal Cypher Medal.[13]

In January 2021, Sirindhorn was hospitalized after breaking both her ankles.[14] Thai media reported that she fell during a walk; however, Western sources alleged that her ankles were broken by Vajiralongkorn after an argument.[15]

Works and interests

Princess Sirindhorn in 2011

Aside from her passion for technology, she holds degrees in history and a doctorate in educational development. She teaches at the history department of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, where she is the nominal head of the department. In addition to Thai, she speaks fluent English, French and Mandarin Chinese, and is currently studying German and Latin. She translates Chinese literature into Thai.[16]

She is also a skilled performer and avid promoter of Thai traditional music.

Like her father Bhumibol Adulyadej, Princess Sirindhorn holds a certificate as a radio amateur, with her call sign being HS1D.[17]

Scholarship

The University of Liverpool introduced a prestigious new scholarship in honour of Sirindhorn. One full scholarship will be awarded annually to enable a Thai student to study at Liverpool to complete a one-year taught Masters programme. The scholarship is open to all subjects in which a one-year taught Masters programme is offered; however, priority will be given to those students who wish to study in a subject area associated with Princess Sirindhorn such as science, information technology, medicine, the arts, geography, history, and languages. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be a Thai national and already hold an offer to study a one-year taught Masters programme at the University of Liverpool.

Honours and awards

Military rank

Volunteer Defense Corps of Thailand rank

Academic rank

Foreign honours

Awards

Honorary degrees

National
Foreign

Honorary titles

Eponyms

Institutions

National

A number of academic and research institutions in Thailand are named after her:

Foreign

Places

Fauna

Several fauna species are named after her, including:

Flora

Numerous plant species have been named after her:

Ancestry

More information Ancestors of Sirindhorn ...

Notes

    • From December 5, 1977, to May 5, 2019, her full ceremonial title was Somdech Phra Debaratanarajasuda Chao Fa Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Rathasimagunakornpiyajat Sayamboromrajakumari[2] (Thai: สมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดา เจ้าฟ้ามหาจักรีสิรินธร รัฐสีมาคุณากรปิยชาติ สยามบรมราชกุมารี; RTGS: Somdet Phra Theppharat Rat Suda Chao Fa Maha Chakkri Sirinthon Ratthasima Khunakon Piyachat Sayam Borommaratchakumari). After Vajiralongkorn's coronation, Sirindhorn was invested of the title Somdech Phra Kanishthadhiraj Chao Krom Somdech Phra Debaratnarajsuda Chao Fa Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Maha Vajiralongkorn Vorarajbhakti Sirikitchakarinibirayabadhana Rathasimagunakornpiyajat Sayamboromrajakumari (Thai: สมเด็จพระกนิษฐาธิราชเจ้า กรมสมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดา เจ้าฟ้ามหาจักรีสิรินธร มหาวชิราลงกรณวรราชภักดี สิริกิจการิณีพีรยพัฒน รัฐสีมาคุณากรปิยชาติ สยามบรมราชกุมารี; RTGS: Somdet Phra Kanitthathirat Chao Krom Somdet Phra Theppharat Rat Suda Chao Fa Maha Chakkri Sirinthon Maha Wachiralongkon Woraratchaphakdi Siri Kitcha Karini Phirayaphat Ratthasima Khunakon Piyachat Sayam Borommaratchakumari).

References

  1. "Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Activities". Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  2. Backman, Michael, "Thai riches hinged on wise king's prodigal son" The Age, June 28, 2006.
  3. Kershaw, Roger (2001), Monarchy in South East Asia: The faces of tradition in transition, Routledge, p. 153
  4. McCargo, Duncan (2010), "Thailand", Regional Oulook: Southeast Asia 2010–2011, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, p. 55
  5. Sut.ac, education information Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  6. Wiriyapong, Nareerat (October 16, 2017). "Scholar for life". Bangkok Post. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  7. Asian Institute of Technology, degree information Archived November 29, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Princess Sirindhorn leaves hospital". Bangkok Post. December 27, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  9. "Famous Ham Radio Operators and their Callsigns". Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  10. "Reply to a parliamentary question about the Decoration of Honour" (PDF) (in German). p. 1124. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  11. "China Focus: 42 individuals awarded national medals, honorary titles – Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  12. "PRESIDENT.MN". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  13. "Hilal-E-Pakistan: Thai princess honoured". The Express Tribune. March 21, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  14. 张锐. "Thai princess visits China publishing house". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  15. "National : Kalam presents Indira Gandhi peace prize to Thai princess". The Hindu. November 20, 2005. Archived from the original on January 18, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  16. Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. "1991 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service". rmaf.org.ph. Archived from the original on June 11, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  17. "CHIANG MAI UNIVERSITY, THAILAND". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  18. Lowe, Kenna L. (January 7, 2013). "Celentano Awarded with Honorary Doctorate". Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  19. "HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to preside over AIT Day 2010". Asian Institute of Technology. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  20. "Princess of Thailand Visited Peking University_Peking University". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  21. "TOKAI News – Tokai Univ". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  22. "Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand Receives Honorary Degree From Pomona College". Pomona College in Claremont, California – Pomona College. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  23. "IU to present honorary degrees to Thai princess and surgeon general of the Navy". IU News Room: Indiana University. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  24. "HRH Princess Sirindhorn gets royal NIU welcome". The Nation. September 19, 2013. Archived from the original on October 15, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  25. "JHU Honorary Degrees Awarded". Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  26. "Bay Path College graduates told to accept change". masslive.com. May 16, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  27. Naiyanetr, Phaibul (1995). "Acanthosquilla sirindhorn n. sp., a New Mantis Shrimp From Thailand (Stomatopoda, Nannosquillidae)". Crustaceana. 68 (4): 409–417. doi:10.1163/156854095X00629. JSTOR 20105069. S2CID 85213533.
  28. Chaimanee, Y.; Lebrun, R.; Yamee, C.; Jaeger, J.-J. (2010). "A new Middle Miocene tarsier from Thailand and the reconstruction of its orbital morphology using a geometric-morphometric method". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 278 (1714): 1956–1963. doi:10.1098/rspb.2010.2062. PMC 3107645. PMID 21123264.
  29. Weeyawat Jaitrong and Ted Schultz (2016). "Aenictus shilintongae sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dorylinae), An Army Ant of the Aenictus laeviceps Species Group from China". The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal. 10 (2): 67–74.
  30. Robin W. J. Ngiam and Albert G. Orr (2017). "Oligoaeschna sirindhornae sp. nov., A New Dragonfly Species from Thailand (Odonata: Anisoptera: Aeshnidae)". Zootaxa. 4353 (1): 195–200. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4353.1.13. PMID 29245533.
  31. Yukimitsu Imahara, Suchana Chavanich, Voranop Viyakarn, Yuka Kushida, James D. Reimer and Toshihiko Fujita (2020). "Two New Species of the Genus Chironephthya (Octocorallia, Alcyonacea, Nidaliidae, Siphonogorgiinae) from the Gulf of Thailand". Zootaxa. 4780 (2): 324–340. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4780.2.6. PMID 33055747. S2CID 219734609.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  32. "Thepparatia Phuph. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
More information Lines of succession, Order of precedence ...

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