Vibhavadi Rangsit
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Phra Chao Worawongse Ther Phra Ong Chao Vibhavadi Rangsit (20 November 1920 - 16 February 1977, Thai พระเจ้าวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้าวิภาวดีรังสิต) was a Thai royal well known for her fiction writing and her developmental work in rural Thailand.
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[edit] Early life
Princess Vibhavadi Rangsit was born Mom Chao (Her Serene Highness) Vibhavadi Rajani. The daughter of His Royal Highness Prince (Krom Muen) Bidyalongkorn and Mom Chao Pornpimolpan Rajanee (Voravarn), she has one younger brother, HSH Prince Bhisatej Rajani. She was educated at the Mater Dei School, Bangkok. After graduation, she worked as a secretary for her father, who at the time was known as one of the most respected poets of the Ratanakosin era and wrote under the pseudonym “Nor. Mor. Sor.” (NMS). Princess Vibhavadi inherited her father’s gift for writing and displayed her ability at the early age of 14, when she began writing children's novels. She used the pen-name V. na Pramuanmarg, which became well known amongst Thai literary circles. Her first famous novel, “Prisana”, was begun when she was eighteen years old and was followed by two sequels and many other novels, as well as historical novels.
[edit] Marriage
Princess Vibhavadi Rangsit married Mom Chao Piyarangsit Rangsit (Prince Piya Rangsit), the eldest son of His Royal Highness Prince Rangsit Prayurasakdi, Prince of Chainat, on 6th May 1946. They were the only couple ever to have been married by H.M. King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII).
[edit] Service to the country
Besides a busy home life bringing up two daughters, and a full writing career, the princess embarked on another course which would occupy her to the tragic ending of her life: that of serving their majesties the King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit of Thailand. In 1957, she began accompanying them when they toured the country and was appointed a Lady-in-Waiting to Her Majesty the Queen when their Majesties went on their first State Visit abroad in 1960. All together, Princess Vibhavadi accompanied Their Majesties on 7 occasions, visiting a total of 25 countries.
The last ten years of her life were dedicated to rural development in Southern Thailand, under the direction and sponsorship of His Majesty the King. Her involvement began when the King asked her to go to a remote area called Phrasaeng in Surat Thani Province. From that initial visit in 1967, she was committed to developing the hitherto neglected areas and to improving the living standards of the villagers. Sponsored by His Majesty, she led a medical team on countless missions to distribute medical supplies, schooling equipment, blankets and other necessities to villagers in neglected and inaccessible parts of the southern provinces.
Where ever she went, the grievances of the villagers were noted and subsequently rectified by the authorities. In this manner, rural development followed in Princess Vibhavadi’s path: roads were built, new health centres and schools established, and electricity brought to new destinations. At the H.M. the Queen's request, she also promoted local handicrafts to enable women to earn extra income.
[edit] Death
Princess Vibavadi often visited soldiers and Border Patrol police stationed in areas where communist insurgency then existed. On the morning of 16th February 1977, she set off on what was to be a routine visit to villagers and to boost the morale of troops at Wiang Sa district of Surat Thani. Whilst travelling on an army helicopter to her destination, she heard a radio message that two Border Patrol policeman had been wounded by a landmine explosion. She immediately ordered the flight diverted to pick up the wounded men and rush them to a hospital. As they were flying at low altitude over Ban Nua Khlong in Surat Thani, the helicopter was attacked from the ground by insurgents. A burst of heavy machine gun fire not only crippled the helicopter, but also fatally wounded the beloved Princess. She died an hour later.
Prior to her royally sponsored cremation at Ratchabophit temple, on 4th April, 1977, in recognition of her services to the country and the people, H.M. the King elevated her the rank of Phra Chao Worawongse Ther Phra Ong Chao (Her Royal Highness) and awarded her the highest level of the most Illustrious Order of the House of Chakri.
Today, the 16th of February is known in Surat Thani as Vibhavadi Day, when civil and religious ceremonies are held in her honour at monuments dedicated to her. Vibhavadi Rangsit Highway, in Bangkok which connects Don Muang with central Bangkok, was also named in her honour.
The Vibhavadi Rangsit Foundation was founded by her husband, HSH Prince Piya Rangsit, to ensure the continuity of her charitable work in the southern provinces.
