Sirindhorn

Sirindhorn
Princess Maha Chakri
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in 2009
House House of Mahidol
Chakri Dynasty
Father King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Mother Queen Sirikit
Born April 2, 1955 (1955-04-02) (age 56)
Bangkok, Thailand
Religion Theravada Buddhism
Royal Family of Thailand

HM The King
HM The Queen

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn[1] (Thai: มหาจักรีสิรินธร; RTGS: Maha Chakri Sirinthon; April 2, 1955 — ) is the second daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Thais commonly refer to her as Phra Thep, meaning "princess angel." Because her title in Thai is the female equivalent of the title held by her brother, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn,[2] she is informally referred to as "crown princess".[3] The Thai constitution was altered in 1974 to allow for female succession, thus making her eligible for the throne.

She is styled "Her Royal Highness". She was invested with the title “Somdet Phra Theprat Ratsuda Chao Fa Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Ratthasima Khunakon Piyachat Sayam Borommaratchakumari”, which is equivalent to the British title of The Princess Royal) on December 5, 1977. As the eldest female child of the royal family (excluding Ubol Ratana, who married a foreign commoner), her position is equivalent to a princess royal.

Contents

Biography

Sirindhorn, born April 2, 1955, is the third child of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. Because 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) 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.[4] The privy council will submit the name of a successor when the throne becomes vacant.[5]

Education

Sirindhorn attended kindergarten to upper secondary levels at Chitralada School. She ranked first in the National School Examinations in the primary level (grade 7) in 1967, first in upper secondary level (grade 12) in 1972 and fourth in the National University Entrance Examination.

She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History (First Class Honor, Gold Medal) from Chulalongkorn University in 1976, and a Master of Arts in Oriental Epigraphy (Sanskrit and Cambodian) from Silpakorn University in 1978 with the thesis entitled 'The Inscriptions Found at Prasad Bnam Run (Prasat Phnom Rung)'. She also obtained a Master of Arts in Pali and Sanskrit from Chulalongkorn University in 1980 with the thesis entitled 'Dasapāramī in Theravada Buddhism'.

HRH Princess Sirindhorn also obtained doctor of philosophy in educational development from Srinakharinwirot University in 1986 with the thesis entitled 'Development of an Innovative Design for the Instruction of Thai Language at the Upper Secondary School Level'.

Works

In Thailand, she is often referred to as the "Princess of Technology" or the "Princess of Information Technology", due to her interest and expertise in applying science for the country's development.

Besides her passion for technology, she holds degrees in history and a doctorate in Educational Development. In addition to Thai she speaks fluent English, French and Chinese and is currently studying German and Latin. Sirindhorn has a very good background in Chinese culture, as well as other oriental cultures. In recent years she has paid many visits to China, both officially and privately, for her studies of the Chinese language and culture. An accomplished musician, she plays the trumpet and several Thai traditional instruments, including the ranat (xylophone) and saw duang.[6] She also teaches at the History Department of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, where she is the nominal head of the department.

Titles & Styles

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

The Princess's style and title in full: Somdech Phra Debaratanarajasuda Chao Fa Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Rathasimagunakornpiyajat Sayamboromrajakumari (Thai: สมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดา เจ้าฟ้ามหาจักรีสิรินธร รัฐสีมาคุณากรปิยชาติ สยามบรมราชกุมารี; is equivalent to the British title of The Princess Royal)

Ancestry

External links

References

  1. ^ "Biography of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn" Thai pronunciation: [má.hǎː ʨàk.rīː sì.rīn.tʰɔːn].
  2. ^ Backman, Michael, "Thai riches hinged on wise king's prodigal son" The Age, June 28, 2006.
  3. ^ USA International Business Publications, Thailand Country Study Guide, p. 48. "Her title is often translated by the English-language press as "Crown Princess", although her official English-language title is simply "Princess"."
  4. ^ Watkins, Mary, "P00144feabdc0.html#ixzz18VY4x1YT Cables breach taboo on Thai royal family" Financial Times, December 16, 2010.
  5. ^ Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, Chapter2: Section 23 (Succession)
  6. ^ Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Thai Classical Music
Sirindhorn
Born: April 2 1955
Thai royalty
Preceded by
Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana		 Line of succession to the Thai throne
5th position		 Succeeded by
Princess Chulabhorn Walailak