Sirindhorn

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.
Her full ceremonial title is Somdech Phra Debaratanarajasuda Chao Fa Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Rathasimagunakornpiyajat Sayamboromrajakumari (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 once held by her brother, King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The Thai constitution was altered in 1974 to allow for female succession, thus making her eligible for the throne.
Having been the eldest female child of the royal family (excluding Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, who married a foreign commoner), her position was comparable to a princess royal.

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. The privy council will submit the name of a successor when the throne becomes vacant.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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 is also a skilled performer and avid promoter of Thai traditional music.

Like her father Bhumibol Adulyadej Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya holds radio amateur with the call sign HS1D

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 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 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.

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.

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."

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."

Royal banner of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

Titles

• 2 April 1955 – 5 December 1977: Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn Debaratanasuda
• 5 December 1977 – Present: Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, The Princess Royal of Thailand

Style

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

Honours

National honours

•  Thailand: Knight Grand Cordon with Chain of the Order of the Royal House of Chakri
•  Thailand: Knight Grand Cordon with Chain of the Order of the Nine Gems
•  Thailand: Knight Grand Cordon with Chain of the Order of Chula Chom Klao
•  Thailand: Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant
•  Thailand: Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the Crown of Thailand
•  Thailand: Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the Direkgunabhorn
•  Thailand: Recipient of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej Royal Medal
•  Thailand: Recipient of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej Rajaruchi Royal Medal
•  Thailand: Recipient of the Freemen Safeguarding Medal, First Class
•  Thailand: Recipient of the Dushdi Mala Medal
•  Thailand: Recipient of the Border Service Medal
•  Thailand: Recipient of the Chakra Mala Medal
•  Thailand: Recipient of the Boy Scout Citation Medal, First Class
•  Thailand: Recipient of the Red Cross Medal of Appreciation, First Class
•  Thailand: Recipient of the King Bhumbibhol Adulyadej Silver Jubilee Medal
•  Thailand: Recipient of the Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Investiture Medal
•  Thailand: Recipient of the Bicentennial Medal of the Rattanakosin Kingdom
•  Thailand: Recipient of the 50th Birthday Medal of Queen Sirikit
•  Thailand: Recipient of the 84th Birthday Medal of Princess Mother Srinagarindra
•  Thailand: Recipient of the 60th Birthday Medal of King Bhumibol Adulyadej
•  Thailand: Recipient of the Longest Reign Commemorative Medal
•  Thailand: Recipient of the 60th Birthday Medal of Queen Sirikit
•  Thailand: Recipient of the King Bhumbibhol Adulyadej Golden Jubilee Medal
•  Thailand: Recipient of the 6th Cycle Birthday Medal of King Bhumibol Adulyadej
•  Thailand: Recipient of the 72nd Birthday Medal of Queen Sirikit
•  Thailand: Recipient of the King Bhumbibhol Adulyadej Diamond Jubilee Medal
•  Thailand: Recipient of the 7th Cycle Birthday Medal of King Bhumibol Adulyadej
•  Thailand: Recipient of the 60th Birthday Medal of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn

Foreign honours

•  Austria: Grand Cross of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria, Silver
•  Brunei: Knight Grand Cross of the Most Esteemed Family Order of Brunei, 2nd Class
•  Denmark: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog
•  France: Commander of Order of Academic Palms, 1st Class
•  Germany: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, 1st Class
•  India: Padma Bhushan
•  Japan: Paulownia Dame Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown
•  North Korea: Grand Officer Order of the National Flag, 1st Class
•  South Korea: Grand Gwanghwa Medal of the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, 1st Class
•  Laos: Recipient of the National Gold Medal
•  Malaysia: Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia
•  Mongolia: Grand Cross of the Order of the Polar Star
• Nepalese Royal Family: Member Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Ojaswi Rajanya
•  Netherlands: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown
•  Netherlands: Recipient of the King Willem-Alexander Inauguration Medal
•  Pakistan: Grand Cross of the Order of the Crescent of Pakistan
•  Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
•  Sweden: Member Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Seraphim
•  Tonga: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Crown of Tonga
•  Tonga: Recipient of the King George Tupou V Coronation Medal
•  United Kingdom: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order

Awards

•  Austria: International Union of Nutritional Sciences Award
•  China: Chinese Language and Culture Friendship Award
• Chinese Literature Foundation of Chinese Writers Association: Understanding and Friendship International Literature Award
•  India: Indira Gandhi Prize
•  Philippines: Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service
• University of Pennsylvania: International Education Leadership Award

Honorary degrees

National

• Chulalongkorn University: Veterinary medicine
• Srinakharinwirot University: Pharmacy
• Thammasat University: Chinese Studies of Humane Letters
• Thammasat University: Environmental Science
• Thammasat University: Technology
• Chiang Mai University: Geography
• Chiang Mai University: Thai language
• Chiang Mai University: Botany
• Asian Institute of Technology: Technology
• Burapha University: Public Health
• Burapha University: Information Technology
• Burapha University: Chinese language
• Suranaree University of Technology: Physics
• Khon Kaen University: Agriculture
• Prince of Songkla University: Agriculture
• Ubon Ratchathani University: Geography

Foreign

•  China:
  •  Hong Kong - The University of Hong Kong: Doctor of Letters
  • Peking University: Chinese language
•  Japan - Tokai University: Engineering
•  Philippines - University of the Philippines Los Baños: Law
•  United States:
  •  California - Pomona College: Doctor of Humane Letters
  •  Indiana - Indiana University Bloomington: Doctor of Humane Letters
  •  Illinois - Northern Illinois University: Doctor of Humane Letters
  •  Maryland - Johns Hopkins University: Doctor of Humane Letters
  •  Massachusetts - Bay Path University: Doctor of Humane Letters

Honorary titles

•  China: People’s Friendship Ambassador
•  United Nations: Special Ambassador of the World Food Programme for School Feeding
•  UNESCO: UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for "Empowerment of Minority Children through Education and through the Preservation of Their Intangible Cultural Heritage"

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:

• Princess Sirindhorn's College, Mueang Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Pathom Province.
• Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
• Mahachakri Sirindhorn and Boromrajkumari Building, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok.
• Somdech Phra Debaratana Medical Center, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok.
• Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Music Library, Mahidol University, Bangkok
• Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT), Thammasat University, Bangkok.
• Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), King Mongkut's Institute of Technology North Bangkok.
• Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum, Natural History Museum, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus, Hat Yai, Songkhla Province.
• Sirindhorn Observatory, Chiang Mai University, Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai Province.
• Princess Sirindhorn Neutron Monitor, a Galactic cosmic ray detector at Thailand's highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai Province.
• Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center, Srinakharinwirot University, Onkarak Campus, Nakhon Nayok Province

Foreign

• Sirindhorn Technology and Culture Exchange Center, Peking University, Haidian District, Beijing, China.

Places

• Amphoe Sirindhorn of Ubon Ratchathani Province
• Sirindhorn Dam stops the Dom Noi River in Sirindhorn, Ubon Ratchathani Province.
• Sirindhorn Museum (Phu Kum Khao Dinosaur Museum), Phu Kum Khao Dinosaur Research Center, Sahatsakhan, Kalasin Province.
• Sirindhorn Observatory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University

Fauna

Several fauna species are named after her, including:

• Eurochelidon sirintarae (Princess Sirindhorn bird or white-eyed river martin), a critically endangered swallow first described in 1968.
• Phricotelphusa sirindhorn (panda crab). It was described in Crustaceana in 1989.
• Phuwiangosaurus sirindhornae, a sauropod herbivore dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous period. It was described in 1994.
• Sirindhorna khoratensis, a hadrosauroid dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous, described in 2015.
• Acanthosquilla sirindhorn (panda mantis shrimp). It was described in Crustaceana in 1995.
• Streptocephalus sirindhornae, a freshwater fairy shrimp. It was described in the Journal of Crustacean Biology in 2000.
• Macrobrachium sirindhorn, a freshwater prawn. It was described in Crustaceana in 2001.
• Trigona sirindhornae, a bee.
• Sirindhorn thailandiensis (princess moth).
• Loxosomatoides sirindhornae, a freshwater kamptozoan. It was described in Hydrobiologia in 2005.
• Sirindhorna khoratensis, a herbivore dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous period. It was described in 2015.

Flora

Numerous plant species have been named after her:

• Sirindhornia spp., orchids:
  • Sirindhornia pulchella can only be seen in Doi Chiang Dao National Park, blooming from April to June.
  • Sirindhornia mirabilis can only be seen in Doi Hua Mot in Tak Province, blooming during May and June.
  • Sirindhornia monophyla can be seen in Doi Hua Mot in Tak Province from March to June, as well in Myanmar and China.
• Other plant species include:
  • Bauhinia sirindhorniae (sam sip song pra dong), a vine of the pea family. It was described in the Nordic Journal of Botany in 1997.
  • Magnolia sirindhorniae (Princess Sirindhorn's magnolia)
  • Thepparatia thailandica Phuph. or Khruea thepparat malvaceae. Thepparat is a part of her royal title. It was described in the Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany) in 2006.
  • Impatiens sirindhorniae Triboun & Suksathan, 2009. It was described in Gardens' Bulletin Singapore.

• "Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre". Retrieved February 23, 2016. 
• http://www.arts.chula.ac.th/06about/tour-en.html
• "Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University - Somdech Phra Debaratana Medical Center". Retrieved February 23, 2016. 
• http://www.siit.tu.ac.th/home_en.php?html5
• Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany)