Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Princess Royal[a] (Thai: มหาจักรีสิรินธร) (born 2 April 1955) is a member of the Thai royal family. She is the second daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, and the younger sister of Maha Vajiralongkorn.[1]

  • Sirindhorn
  • สิรินธร
Princess Royal of Thailand
Princess Sirindhorn in 2016
Born (1955-04-02) 2 April 1955 (age 69)
Bangkok, Thailand
Names
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Maha Vajiralongkorn Vorarajbhakti Sirikitchakarini Birayabadhana Rathasima Gunakornpiyajat
HouseMahidol (Chakri dynasty)
FatherBhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
MotherSirikit Kitiyakara
ReligionTheravada Buddhism
Signature

Early life

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Birth

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

Early education

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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.[2]

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.[3]

Higher education

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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.[3]

From 1976 she continued her studies in two graduate programs concurrently, obtaining a Master of Arts in Oriental Epigraphy (Sanskrit and Cambodian) in 1980[3] 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.[4] In 1978, she obtained a Master of Arts in Pali and Sanskrit from Chulalongkorn University.[2]

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.[5]

In April 2001 she won a scholarship in Chinese culture at Peking University in China where she studied the course for a month.[6]

Later life

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In December 2012, Sirindhorn was briefly hospitalised to remove calcium deposits.[7]

More popular among the Thai public than her brother, then-Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, Sirindhorn was long rumoured to be a potential successor to the Thai throne.[8] Upon Bhumibol's death in 2016, the crown passed 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.[9]

In January 2021, Sirindhorn was hospitalized after breaking both her ankles.[10] Thai media reported that she fell during a walk; however, Western sources alleged that her ankles were broken by Vajiralongkorn after an argument.[11]

Works and interests

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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.[12]

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.[13]

Scholarship

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The University of Liverpool introduced a 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

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Military rank

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Volunteer Defense Corps of Thailand rank

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Academic rank

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Foreign honours

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Awards

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Honorary degrees

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National
Foreign

Honorary titles

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Eponyms

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Institutions

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National

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

Foreign

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Places

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Fauna

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Several fauna species are named after her, including:

Flora

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Numerous plant species have been named after her:

Ancestry

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Notes

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  1. ^ Thai: มหาจักรีสิรินธร, Thai pronunciation: [mā.hǎː t͡ɕàk.krīː sì.rīn.tʰɔ̄ːn]; RTGSMaha Chakkri Sirinthon

References

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  1. ^ McCargo, Duncan (2010), "Thailand", Regional Oulook: Southeast Asia 2010–2011, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, p. 55
  2. ^ a b Sut.ac, education information Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b c Pattayamail, more education information
  4. ^ Wiriyapong, Nareerat (October 16, 2017). "Scholar for life". Bangkok Post. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  5. ^ a b Asian Institute of Technology, degree information Archived November 29, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b c Peking University, scholarship and award information Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Princess Sirindhorn leaves hospital". Bangkok Post. December 27, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  8. ^ "Thailand's crown prince poised to ascend throne, dashing hopes of those who favour his sister". October 20, 2016.
  9. ^ "HM The King confers new royal titles on his family - PHOTOS". Thaiger. May 6, 2019.
  10. ^ "Princess Sirindhorn in hospital". Bangkok Post.
  11. ^ Sykes, Tom (January 26, 2021). "King of Thailand Reportedly Accused of Breaking Sister's Ankles After She Questions Plan to Name Second Queen". The Daily Beast.
  12. ^ "Thai Princess translates Chinese novels".
  13. ^ "Famous Ham Radio Operators and their Callsigns". Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  14. ^ [1] [bare URL PDF]
  15. ^ [2] [bare URL PDF]
  16. ^ [3] [bare URL PDF]
  17. ^ [4] [bare URL PDF]
  18. ^ [5] [bare URL PDF]
  19. ^ "Reply to a parliamentary question about the Decoration of Honour" (PDF) (in German). p. 1124. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ https://image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/KtuhuNsqq1/400_years/the_royal_families.jpg [bare URL image file]
  22. ^ Print Release
  23. ^ "Biography of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  24. ^ "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat Persekutuan".
  25. ^ "PRESIDENT.MN". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  26. ^ "Hilal-E-Pakistan: Thai princess honoured". The Express Tribune. March 21, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  27. ^ "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. [permanent dead link]
  28. ^ Boletín Oficial del Estado
  29. ^ "Royal orders presented at Palace". Matangi Tonga. August 1, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  30. ^ a b c Word doc, award and position information Archived May 7, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  31. ^ 张锐. "Thai princess visits China publishing house". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  32. ^ "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.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ "CHIANG MAI UNIVERSITY, THAILAND". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  35. ^ Lowe, Kenna L. (January 7, 2013). "Celentano Awarded with Honorary Doctorate". Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  36. ^ "HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to preside over AIT Day 2010". Asian Institute of Technology. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  37. ^ "HKU Honorary Graduates – Graduate Detail". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  38. ^ "Princess of Thailand Visited Peking University_Peking University". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  39. ^ "TOKAI News – Tokai Univ". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  40. ^ 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. Archived August 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  41. ^ "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.
  42. ^ "IU to present honorary degrees to Thai princess and surgeon general of the Navy". IU News Room: Indiana University. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  43. ^ "HRH Princess Sirindhorn gets royal NIU welcome". The Nation. September 19, 2013. Archived from the original on October 15, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  44. ^ "JHU Honorary Degrees Awarded". Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  45. ^ "Bay Path College graduates told to accept change". masslive.com. May 16, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  46. ^ "Thai Princess Sirindhorn ReceivesTitle of Friendship Ambassador_学汇乐手机网博客". Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  47. ^ "Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  48. ^ ":: Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University - Tour ::". Archived from the original on February 14, 2017.
  49. ^ "Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University – Somdech Phra Debaratana Medical Center". Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  50. ^ "Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology".
  51. ^ Han, Enze (2024). The Ripple Effect: China's Complex Presence in Southeast Asia. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-19-769659-0.
  52. ^ 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.
  53. ^ 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.
  54. ^ 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.
  55. ^ 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.
  56. ^ 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)
  57. ^ Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany) Archived February 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  58. ^ "Thepparatia Phuph. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
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Sirindhorn
House of Mahidol
Cadet branch of the House of Chakri
Born: 2 April 1955
Lines of succession
Preceded by Line of succession to the Thai throne
4th in line
Succeeded by
Order of precedence
Preceded by Thai order of precedence
The Princess Royal

4th position
Succeeded by
Non-profit organization positions
Preceded by
Kaset Snidvongs
Vice President of Thai Red Cross Society
1977–present
Incumbent
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service
1991
Succeeded by
Preceded by Recipient of the Indira Gandhi Prize
2004
Succeeded by