Varananda Dhavaj

Varananda Dhavaj
Born (1922-08-19)August 19, 1922
Bangkok, Siam
Died 14 September 1990(1990-09-14) (aged 68)
Bangkok, Thailand
Spouse Pamela Smee
Galyani Vadhana Mahidol
Kokeaw Prakaykavil na Chiengmai
Srisalai Suchatwut
Issue Dilok Nicholas Chudadhuj
Dara Jane Chudadhuj
House House of Chudadhuj
Chakri Dynasty
Father Prince Chudadhuj Dharadilok
Mother Ravi Kayananda

Prince Varananda Dhavaj (Thai: วรานนท์ธวัช; rtgs: Waranonthawat), born Mom Chao Varananda Dhavaj Chudadhuj (Thai: วรานนท์ธวัช จุฑาธุช; rtgs: Waranonthawat Chuthathut; August 19, 1922 – September 14, 1990) was the son of Prince Chudadhuj Dharadilok and Mom Ravi Kayananda. Although he was the only son of a senior Thai prince, he was disqualified from succession to the throne because his mother was not Prince Chudadhut's formal wife.

Following the death of his father, the prince was raised by his uncle King Prajadhipok. He joined the monarch in virtual exile in England. He enlisted in the RAF on February 24, 1942 under the name Nicky Varanand, and served as pilot in the Normandy campaign during World War II. He would serve at total of 15 years in the RAF, finally resigning as a group captain to fly commercial aircraft for Thai Airways International. He later created his own airline, Air Siam, which went bankrupt in 1977. In 1973, he also became an adviser to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Marriage and family

He married Mom Pamela Smee on June 10, 1950. Two children were born from this union:

On September 24, 1969, he married his cousin Princess Galyani Vadhana, King Bhumibol's eldest sister. and had two concubine, Princess Kokeaw Prakaykavil na Chiengmai and Srisalai Suchatwut.

References



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