Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda (Thai: เพชรรัตนราชสุดา; Thai pronunciation: [pʰêttɕʰarát râːttɕʰasùdāː]; RTGS: Phetcharat Ratchasuda, 25 November 1925 – 27 July 2011) was the only child of the King Vajiravudh of Thailand. She was a first cousin of King Bhumibol Adulyadej as well as a third cousin to Prince Bhisadej Rajani on her paternal side and third cousin of King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia on her maternal side.[2][3]
Bejaratana | |||||
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Born | Bangkok, Siam | 25 November 1925||||
Died | 27 July 2011 Bangkok, Thailand | (aged 85)||||
Burial | 12 April 2012 | ||||
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House | Chakri dynasty | ||||
Father | Vajiravudh (Rama VI) | ||||
Mother | Suvadhana | ||||
Religion | Theravada Buddhism | ||||
Signature | ![]() |
Her funeral was held on 9 April 2012, at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground in Bangkok.[4][5][6]
Biography
editPrincess Bejaratana was born on 25 November 1925 in the Grand Palace, Bangkok, the only child of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) and Princess Suvadhana. Having seen his daughter only one time, the king died the following day. Her uncle, who became King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), performed the naming ceremony for the princess on 30 December.
Princess Bejaratana and her mother moved to Suan Hongsa Villa in Dusit Palace, where she received her education from a private tutor. They moved in with Queen Sri Savarindira (the Queen Dowager) during World War II, and the princess attended Rajani School until she was 12. She and her mother then moved to England, where she continued her education and took medication for her poor health. She first stayed at Fairhill Villa in Surrey, before settling in Brighton.[7]
In November 1957, Princess Bejaratana returned to Thailand. She bought land on Sukhumvit Road Soi 38, and built Ruenruedi Villa Palace. The princess undertook her duties of representing the royal family. Her special interests were in education, public health, Buddhism, the soldiers and police guarding Thailand's borders, and general public welfare.
Near the end of her life she reduced her royal duties due to age, but occasionally still did work relating to her royal father.
Princess Bejaratana died on 27 July 2011 at 16:37 at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, aged 85.[8]
Military rank
editHonours
edit- Dame of the Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri (1957)
- Dame of the Ratana Varabhorn Order of Merit (1925)
- Dame Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao (1958)
- Dame Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (1992)
- Dame Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (1967)
- Dame Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn (1995)
- Member (Special Class) of the Order of Symbolic Propitiousness Ramkeerati (1990)
- King Rama VI Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Class (1925)
- King Rama VII Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Class (1926)
- King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Class (1986)
- First Class (Gold Medal) of the Red Cross Medal of Appreciation (1967)
Ancestry
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References
edit- ^ "พร้อมบรรจุพระสรีรางคารยังเสาวภาประดิษฐาน สุสานหลวงวัดราชบพิธฯ" (Press release) (in Thai). เดลินิวส์. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012. (in Thai)
- ^ Bing Soravij BhiromBhakdi. Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana, The Siamese Collection, Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ Sokheounpang. Khmer-Siam Royal Family Tree. Retrieved 27 January 2013
- ^ "Funeral of Thai Princess in April". 25 March 2012.
- ^ "Home" "ในหลวง-พระราชินี"เสด็จฯพระราชทานเพลิงพระศพ (Press release) (in Thai). เดลินิวส์. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ "ในหลวง-พระราชินี" เสด็จพระราชทานเพลิงจริง สมเด็จเจ้าฟ้าเพชรรัตนฯ (Press release) (in Thai). ผู้จัดการออนไลน์. 9 April 2012. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ Bangkok Post:Princess Bejraratana dies, 85
- ^ She was kept in Bhumipol's and Sirikit's freezer until April 2012. Thai Nation Mourns the Death of Princess Bejaratana (28 July 2011)
- ^ Ratchakitcha
- ^ Ratchakitcha
External links
edit- Ethailand
- Ancestry.com – HRH Princess Bejraratana Rajasuda
- http://www.puendee.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=41&products_id=468 Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- http://www.baanjomyut.com/library/ratchasuda/index.html
- Bejaratana-Suvadhana Foundation Archived 11 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- Biography and appearance of Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda – Sakulthai Magazine
- Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda of Thailand – Sakulthai Magazine