Sirindhorn

Sirindhorn
Princess of Thailand
Born (1955-04-02) 2 April 1955
Bangkok, Thailand
House House of Mahidol
Chakri Dynasty
Father King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Mother Queen Sirikit
Religion Buddhism

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (Thai: มหาจักรีสิรินธร, Thai pronunciation: [mā.hǎː t͡ɕàk.krīː sì.rīn.tʰɔ̄ːn]; rtgs: Maha Chakkri Sirinthon), born Princess Sirindhorn Debaratanasuda Kitivadhanadulsobhak (Thai: สิรินธรเทพรัตนสุดา กิติวัฒนาดุลโสภาคย์; rtgs: Sirinthontheppharattanasuda Kitiwatthanadunlasophak) on 2 April 1955 is the second daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.[1]

Her full ceremonial title is Somdech Phra Debaratanarajasuda Chao Fa Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Rathasimagunakornpiyajat Sayamboromrajakumari[2] (สมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดา เจ้าฟ้ามหาจักรีสิรินธร รัฐสีมาคุณากรปิยชาติ สยามบรมราชกุมารี; rtgs: Somdet Phra Theppharat Rat Suda Chao Fa Maha Chakkri Sirinthon Ratthasima Khunakon Piyachat Sayam Borommaratchakumari), which was bestowed upon her on 5 December 1977. Thais commonly refer to her by reducing such title to "Phra Thep", meaning "princess angel". Her title in Thai is the female equivalent of the title held by her brother, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.[3] The Thai constitution was altered in 1974 to allow for female succession, thus making her eligible for the throne.[4]

As the eldest female child of the royal family (excluding Ubolratana Rajakanya, who married a foreign commoner), her position is comparable to a princess royal.[5]

Biography

Sirindhorn was born on 2 April 1955, 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. Air Chief Marshall Siddhi Savetsila, a member of the privy council, told a former U.S. ambassador in early 2010 that Sirindhorn could be named successor in the event of Vajiralongkorn's death, i.e., the crown prince's children, including Prince Dipangkorn, might be passed over.[6] The privy council will submit the name of a successor when the throne becomes vacant.[7]

In December 2012, Sirindhorn was briefly hospitalised to remove calcium deposits.[8]

Education

Early education

Sirindhorn attended Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary at Thailand's most exclusive school: The Chitralada Palace School which was established for the children of the Royal Family and Palace staff.[9]

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.[10]

From childhood she showed the qualities of a brilliant scholar.[9]

Higher education

In 1975 she enrolled in the faculty of arts at Chulalongkorn University and graduated with a BA degree, first-class honours and a gold medal in history in 1976.[10]

From 1976 she continued her studies in two graduate programs concurrently, obtaining an MA in Oriental epigraphy (Sanskrit and Cambodian) in 1980[10] and also archaeology from Silpakorn University and in 1980. In 1978, she obtained an MA in Sanskrit and Pali from Chulalongkorn University.[9]

In 1981 she enrolled in a doctoral program at Srinakharinwirot University, and was awarded a PhD in developmental education in 1987.[10]

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.[11]

In April 2001 she won a scholarship in Chinese culture at Peking University in China where she studied the course for a month.[12]

Works and interests

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 Chinese and is currently studying German and Latin.

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 offered a one-year taught Masters programme, however priority will be given to those students who wish to study in a subject area associated with HRH 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.

Royal prerogative

In February 2016, for an official three-day visit to Cambodia, a royal toilet estimated to cost US$40,000 was reportedly constructed for the use of the princess on 22 February at Lake Yeak Laom on the outskirts of Banlung City, Ratanakiri Province.[13] [14]

Construction of the eight m2 outhouse overlooking Yeak Lom Lake was carried out by the Siam Cement Group (SCG). According to Ven Churk, head of the Yeak Lom Lake Committee, "This toilet was constructed for the Thai princess' use. When the princess has finished with it, they will take the toilet equipment back to Thailand, but the princess will leave the building for our community to use", Mr Churk said. "The materials are of the very highest quality," confirmed Suma Onkam, a Thai national who said he was hired by SCG to oversee the 10 Thai laborers who built the structure using only materials imported from Thailand. After the visit, the toilet will be removed, as a manager from SCG, identified only as Mr Pursat, said, "Normal people can't use a [royal] toilet."

News reports of the affair in The Guardian and the Cambodia Daily have been criticised by some as being inaccurate, driven by hidden agendas, and long on sensationalism. Both publications reported that the princess had ordered the toilet constructed, but no evidence was cited to corroborate that claim. The Nation, a Bangkok English-language daily, was particularly critical of the involvement of journalist Andrew MacGregor Marshall and his role in the initial news reports. In a sharply worded editorial he was described as a "charlatan 'journalist'" and "As someone who likes to cloak himself in journalistic costume,..."[15]

Follow-on news reports said that the princess did not have occasion to use the royal toilet on her visit. "She did not use the toilet...but she went to see the bathroom," said deputy provincial governor, Nhem Sam Oeun. "When she went back to Phnom Penh, they removed the modern toilet."[16]

Titles, styles, honours and awards

Styles of
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand
Reference style Her Royal Highness
Spoken style Your Royal Highness
Alternative style Ma'am
Royal banner of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

Titles

Style

The Princess' style and title in full: Her Royal Highness Princess Somdech Phra Debaratanarajasuda Chao Fa Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Rathasimagunakornpiyajat Sayamboromrajakumari of Thailand[note 1]

Honours

National honours

Foreign honours

Awards

Honorary degrees

National
Foreign

Honorary titles

Eponyms

Institutions

National

Because of her interest in foreign cultures, technology, conservation and education; there are a number of academic and research institutions in Thailand which have been granted permission to use her name, such as:

Foreign

Places

Fauna

Several fauna species are named after her, including:

Flora

Numerous plant species have been named after her:

Ancestry

See also

Notes

  1. (สมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดา เจ้าฟ้ามหาจักรีสิรินธร รัฐสีมาคุณากรปิยชาติ สยามบรมราชกุมารี; rtgs: Somdet Phra Theppha Rat Ratcha Suda, Chao Fa Maha Chakkri Sirinthon, Ratta Sima Khunakon Piya Chat, Sayam Boromma Ratcha Kumari). The title Sayam Boromma Ratcha Kumari is comparable to the British title of The Princess Royal..

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

References

  1. "Biography of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn"
  2. "Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Activities". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  3. Backman, Michael, "Thai riches hinged on wise king's prodigal son" The Age, 28 June 2006.
  4. Kershaw, Roger (2001), Monarchy in South East Asia: The faces of tradition in transition, Routledge, p. 153
  5. McCargo, Duncan (2010), "Thailand", Regional Oulook: Southeast Asia 2010-2011 (Institute of Southeast Asian Studies), p. 55
  6. Watkins, Mary, P00144feabdc0.html#ixzz18VY4x1YT Cables breach taboo on Thai royal family" Financial Times, 16 December 2010.
  7. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, Chapter2: Section 23 (Succession)
  8. "Princess Sirindhorn leaves hospital". Bangkok Post. 2012-12-27. Retrieved 20 Sep 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 Sut.ac, education information
  10. 1 2 3 4 Pattayamail, more education information
  11. 1 2 Asian Institute of Technology, degree information
  12. 1 2 3 Peking university, scholarship and award information
  13. Sovuthy, Khy; O'Connell, Taylor (2016-02-20). "$40K Lakeside Bathroom Constructed for Thai Princess". Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  14. "$40,000 toilet built for Thai royal's visit to Cambodia". the Guardian. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  15. Kanchanalak, Pornpimol (2016-02-25). "A tale of an outhouse and the ignominy of journalism". The Nation. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  16. Sovuthy, Khy (2016-02-23). "Thai Princess Helicopters to Ratanakkiri, Inspects Bathroom". Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  17. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e0/6c/e7/e06ce7923a24dc0b9789d896bb002807.jpg
  18. "File:Princess Sirindhorn 2009-12-7 Royal Thai Government House 4.jpg". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  19. "File:Princess Sirindhorn 2009-12-7 Royal Thai Government House 3.jpg". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  20. http://www.cs.ait.ac.th/wutt/pthep/Img/pratep2.jpg
  21. "Princess Sirindhorn- Beauty Of Thailand". Pinterest. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  22. 1 2 Pinterest, wearing the stars of the 9 gems and chula chom klao
  23. PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL. "Maha Vajiralongkorn". Getty Images. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  24. "Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is in Lisbon in two-day visit to Portugal on the occasion of the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the … - Pinteres…". Pinterest. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 Wiki Commons, wearing some badges of orders and medals
  26. http://www4.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Princess+Sirindhorn+Royal+Cremation+Ceremony+wbQxuziABkNl.jpg
  27. wearing the badge of the order of the white elephant
  28. "Princess Sirindhorn... - THailand : Royal Family - Pinterest - Princesses and Thailand". Pinterest. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  29. wearing badge formed medal under the star of the order of the 9 gems
  30. "Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn - Thai Monarchy: King Bhumibol Adulyadej - Pinterest - Royals and Princesses". Pinterest. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Zen Journalist, wearing her Medals
  32. 1 2 Wiki Commons, wearing some Medals
  33. "Reply to a parliamentary question about the Decoration of Honour" (pdf) (in German). p. 1124. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  34. "Biography of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
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  39. "President confers hilal-e-pakistan upon princess maha chakri sirindhorn of Thailand urges for taking pak- thai bilateral ties to new heights - Pakistan Press International". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  40. Boletín Oficial del Estado
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  42. http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=229460&d=1140634296
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  44. "Glittering Royal Events Message Board: Re: Coronation in Tonga". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  45. 1 2 http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44882000/jpg/_44882094_dignitaries_ap.jpg
  46. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000wj7SRIJeL9M/s/750/750/Thai-Banquet-1.jpg
  47. 1 2 3 Word doc, award and position information
  48. 张锐. "Thai princess visits China publishing house". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  49. "The Hindu : National : Kalam presents Indira Gandhi peace prize to Thai princess". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  50. Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. "Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  51. "CHIANG MAI UNIVERSITY, THAILAND". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  52. Administrative User (January 7, 2013). "Celentano Awarded with Honorary Doctorate". Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  53. "HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to preside over AIT Day 2010". Asian Institute of Technology. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  54. "HKU Honorary Graduates - Graduate Detail". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  55. "Princess of Thailand Visited Peking University_Peking University". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  56. "TOKAI News - Tokai Univ.". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  57. The University of the Philippines conferred an honoris causa L.L.D. for her achievements as a global leader in sustaining rural and agricultural development and in promoting education and science to improve the lives of farming communities in Asia and the world.
  58. "Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand Receives Honorary Degree From Pomona College". Pomona College in Claremont, California - Pomona College. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  59. "IU to present honorary degrees to Thai princess and surgeon general of the Navy". IU News Room: Indiana University. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  60. "HRH Princess Sirindhorn gets royal NIU welcome". The Nation. September 19, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  61. "JHU Honorary Degrees Awarded". Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  62. "Bay Path College graduates told to accept change". masslive.com. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  63. "Thai Princess Sirindhorn ReceivesTitle of Friendship Ambassador_学汇乐手机网博客". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  64. "Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  65. http://www.arts.chula.ac.th/06about/tour-en.html
  66. "Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University - Somdech Phra Debaratana Medical Center". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  67. http://www.siit.tu.ac.th/home_en.php?html5
  68. Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany)
Sirindhorn
Born: 2 April 1955
Thai royalty
Preceded by
Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana
Line of succession to the Thai throne
5th position
Succeeded by
Princess Chulabhorn Walailak
Order of precedence
Preceded by
The Crown Prince
The Princess Royal
4th position
Succeeded by
Princess Chulabhorn Walailak


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