Galyani Vadhana

Early life

Princess Galyani Vadhana with her parents

Princess Galyani Vadhana was born on 6 May 1923 in London, England, the only daughter of Prince Mahidol Adulyadej of Songkla, the sixty-ninth son of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and seventh son by Queen Savang Vadhana, and Miss Sangwan Talapat (later known as Princess Srinagarindra, The Princess Mother). She was initially named May Songkla on her birth certificate and was later named Her Serene Highness Galyani Vadhana Mahidol by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). The word "Vadhana" in her name came from her paternal grandmother, Savang Vadhana. In 1927, she was subsequently promoted to the royal rank, a Princess of Thailand (Her Highness) by King Prajadhipok (Rama VII).

Education

In 1935, Princess Galyani Vadhana attended a secondary school for girls named Ecole Superieure des Jeunes Filles de la Ville de Lausanne.

In 1938, she attended the International School of Geneva, a boarding school not far from Lausanne. She was an excellent student, and eventually came first of her school at the final exam and third in all Switzerland.

In 1942, Princess Galyani Vadhana continued her studies at the Faculty of Sciences in the field of chemistry at the University of Lausanne. She graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry in 1948. While pursuing her science degree, she also studied social science and education for a Diplome de Sciences Sociales Pedagogiques, involving teacher education, literature, philosophy, and psychology.

Marriage

Princess Galyani Vadhana with King Ananda Mahidol and Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej

In 1944, Princess Galyani Vadhana renounced her royal status in order to marry Colonel Aram Rattanakul Serireongrit (24 August 1920 – 3 February 1982), the son of General Luang Serireongrit (Charoon Ratanakul Serireongrit), a former Army commander-in-chief who led the invasion of the Shan States during World War II. They are the parents of one daughter, Thanpuying Dhasanawalaya Ratanakul Serireongrit (later Sornsongkram) (born in 1945 in Switzerland). This marriage ended in divorce. In 1950, when the current king ascended the throne, he reinstated her royal status.

In 1969 the princess married Prince Varananda Dhavaj (19 August 1922 – 15 September 1990), son of Prince Chudadhuj Dharadilok, Prince of Bejraburna and Mom Ravi Kayananda. They had no children.

Royal title

On 6 May 1995 – the occasion of her 72nd birthday – her brother, King Bhumibol gave her the noble title "Kromma Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra" (loosely translated 'Princess of Naradhiwas'), making her the only female member of the Chakri Royal Family in the reign of King Rama IX to have been bestowed this title.^[1] In announcing the honour, The king said "the Princess, who was his only sister, had shared the joys and sorrows of life since their early years and was the most highly respected in that she had always given him support. Furthermore, it is a well-known fact that she has been steadfast in her devotion to the King in order that He would enjoy grace and glory." She had represented the king in carrying out various royal duties and had took good care of their mother, which was a great relief to him.

Royal projects

The princess' royal patronage projects included traditional Thai arts, education, sports, and social welfare. She was president or honorary president of various organisations and foundations, including the Cardiac Children's Foundation, the Princess Mother's Charity Fund, and the Autistic Foundation of Thailand. She created her own foundation for funding the studies of young, gifted musicians.

She was a patron of various classical music foundations. On her trips, she always gathered important and useful information shown in the royal news, giving knowledge to people. She also wrote books, poetry, and spoke French. She traveled widely within Thailand and abroad to represent the royal family and her country on missions.

Health issues

The princess was admitted to Siriraj Hospital in June 2007, suffering from abdominal pains. The doctors found she had cancer, and she remained in the hospital for treatment. In October 2007, doctors reported the princess had suffered an infarction on the left side of her brain as a result of occlusion of a cerebral artery.^[2]

At the same time in October, her brother, King Bhumibol Adulyadej was treated at Siriraj after he experienced weakness on his right side; doctors later found out through scans that he had a blood shortage to his brain.^[3] He was admitted on 13 October and discharged on 7 November.^[4] After leaving Siriraj, he visited his sister at the hospital almost daily.

On 14 December, the Royal Household Bureau released its 25th statement about the princess's health, saying she was feeling increasingly tired and was becoming less responsive.^[5]

Books and writing

Galyani Vadhana, Princess of Naradhiwas

Princess Galyani Vadhana liked reading and writing from an early age. While studying Prathom 1 to Prathom 3, she read as many Thai language books as she could find. However, children's books in Thai were then rare so she often read the newspaper. She remembered once reading a story in the original French—the 1878 novel Sans Famille—while studying in Switzerland, which she later found again.

During her secondary studies, especially while in Geneva, Switzerland, she read a lot of literature. She found that reading developed her French language skills. Later, when she was a French teacher at Thammasat University, she read many books on linguistics. In addition, she also studied art, culture, archaeology, and history for many years. When she planned visiting a foreign country, she would first read many books and documents about it.

When she was nine, she published a journal, Ruaen Rom, containing articles she had written with her friends at Srapathum Palace. Her mother supported her in reading and writing English. On 10 September 1932, she published a story she had written. In addition, she wrote eleven poems about the royal family, translated three books, wrote ten tourist guide books, and an academic article.

Photography

Princess Galyani Vadhana was interested in photography. She had learned to take photographs not only as souvenirs but also for art and academic purposes. When she visited important places either at home or abroad, she always took photographs of those she found interesting which were useful in her travel writings.

Music

Princess Galyani Vadhana studied Western art. She was interested in all types of music and drama, especially classical music by master composers. She began listening classical music while studying in Switzerland. She had always studied piano at home with her younger brothers, but only intermittently as she had very little time to practice. While doing her homework, she liked to listen to classical music on a radio.

In 2004, concerned about the lack of interest in promoting classical music by both governmental and private sectors, she established a Fund for Classical Music Promotion of which she became president. The fund supported classical music and related activities, provided assistance to Thai musicians to study, and promoted competitions and concerts both in Thailand and internationally. She also supported the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and the Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra, and was the patron of the Bangkok Opera.

Education

Princess Galyani Vadhana was interested in all education, not only at university level. She realized that primary education is very important for developing the general population.

From her long experience in teaching French language, she realized the problem of interrupted French language study at mattayom (high school) and university level. In 1977 she formed L'Association Thailandaise des Professeurs de Francais (The Association of Thai Professors Teaching French Language) to act as the center for meeting and exchanging experiences of – and improving – the teaching of French language in mattayom and university classes. She was president of the association between 1977 and 1981, when she became its honorary president for the rest of her life. Her assistance to the association took many forms, including in publishing journals to distribute the latest knowledge, writing her own articles in journals, and supporting teachers' seminars, research abroad and study in higher education.

As a result of her continuous work in the teaching and research of the French language in Thailand, she was conferred many honorary doctorates and also honours from many foreign governments and international organizations, including UNESCO.

Culture, Archaeology, and History

Princess Galyani Vadhana was interested in history and archaeology for many years. She thought these fields to be the foundations of other subjects and believed in applying reasoning to support historical ideas. She always said that her thoughts were not always correct and she would accept new data if supported by reason and evidences.

In performing her duties, she became interested in many important places, which she later visited by herself. She also led groups and associations on educational tours to many historic sites, and she advised fellow guides to emphasize education about the sites.

When visiting historical sites, she did not merely accept information given to her by the archaeologists, but she would research the sites beforehand, and deeply question experts about the site's restoration and excavation, and the impact on neighbouring people of the archaeologists' operations.

Medical Services and Public Health

Nature and Environment Conservation

In 1991, Princess Galyani Vadhana visited and stayed at Huai Nam Dang Watershed Management Unit. She found that the nearby forests were deteriorated as a result of agricultural reclamation, so she had the idea of forming a Royal Forest Department to restore the forests. Then in 1995, the Royal Forest Department designated this area as Huai Nam Dang National Park, and built a chalet-style palace, which the princess named "Silver Orchids Palace", dedicated to her. She stayed there during late January and early February every year to visit nearby hill tribes. Her thinking was that the public and local administration organization co-operate to look after forest, water, wildlife, and rare flora to maintain natural balance.

Foreign Affairs

Princess Galyani Vadhana traveled abroad many times on formal and private visits. In addition to strengthening friendly relations with those countries, her visits helped spread knowledge of Thai culture and customs. Before any such visit she would carry out careful research.

After most of these visits, she collected her notes and the information she had gathered to publish books or reproduce them in digital media for distribution.

In 2003 she visited Gretzenbach in Switzerland to officially dedicate the Wat Srinagarindravararam, a temple named in honour of her mother.^[6]

About the royal family

• Busy Fingers
• Postcard Games
• Prince Mahidol and Art
• Popular Chronicle From The Press, The Demise of the Princess Mother

Translation

• Le Couronnement Espagnol – The Spanish Coronation

Travelogue

• Yunnan
• Bhutan : Green Island on Land
• Is It Cold in Siberia?
• Turkey : Land of the Roman Emperors and Ottoman Sultans
• Xinjiang and Gansu : Pictures from Far Away Places
• Eastern China : Mountain, Lake, Temples

As honorary president

• The Mother Princess Medical Volunteer Foundation
• The Prosthesis Foundation of H.R.H. The Princess Mother
• L'Association Thaïlandaise des Professeurs de Français
• The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage
• The World Tipiṭaka Presentation Worldwide

As president

• The Kidney Foundation of Thailand
• The Breast Foundation
• Siriraj Foundation

As patron

• The Foundation for Slum Child Care (FSCC)
• The Cardiac Children Foundation of Thailand (CCFT)
• The Green World Foundation (GWF)
• Bangkok Biomaterial Center
• Joe Louis Puppet Theatre
• Bangkok Opera Foundation (from 2001–2006)

Decorations

Awards

• Victor Hugo Medal, from UNESCO, in 1992
• Naratip Award, from The Writers Association of Thailand, in 2002
• WHO/SEARO Award, from Regional Office for South East Asia of World Health Organization, in 2003

Honorary Degrees

• Honorary Doctor of Arts in French, Chiang Mai University
• Honorary Doctor of Arts in History, Prince of Songkla University
• Honorary Doctor of Education, Chulalongkorn University
• Honorary Doctor of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University
• Honorary Doctor of Arts in French, Khon Kaen University
• Honorary Doctor of Nursing Science, Khon Kaen University
• Honorary Doctor of Nursing Science, Sukhothai Thammathirat University
• Honorary Doctor of Science in Chemistry, Khon Kaen University
• Honorary Doctor of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University
• Honorary Doctor of Science in Community Public Health, Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University

Military rank

• General, Admiral and Air Chief Marshal^[7]

Academic rank

• Professor of Thammasat University^[8]

Funeral

Royal crematorium

Procession, Princess Galyani Vadhana' royal urn

The 300 million baht (US$10 million, £7.1 million) funeral, was the first full royal funeral since 1995, when the king's mother Srinagarindra was cremated. The six-day funeral ceremony and ritual started on 14 November 2008, at the Grand Palace, and ended on 19 November when Galyani's ashes were transferred to the Rangsi Vadhana Memorial, Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram.^[14]

On Saturday, 15 November, three processions from the royal throne hall, where she had lain in state for ten months, were composed of 3,294 soldiers, flanked by conch shell-blowers, drummers, and musicians. Two of the processions involved using the Phra Yannamat Sam Lam Khan (]golden palanquin with three poles'), an 18th-century seven metric ton palanquin carried by 60 men. The two-century-old sandalwood golden teak urn held Galyani's remains, whose body was seated in upright position, on top of an elaborately decorated fourteen-ton golden carriage.^[15]

Both dressed in white ceremonial dress, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat took part in the procession, on Sanam Luang parade ground.^[16] In Uttaradit, black-dressed Thais flocked to the royally-sponsored Wat Klong Poh in the provincial seat to place four hundred thousand sandalwood flowers at the crematorium.^[17]

At 22:00 on 15 November, the king and Queen Sirikit, with the help of a hydraulic tappet, set alight a 40 m (130 ft) high funeral pyre. The US$5.7 m (£3.8 m) temporary royal crematorium, a complex of pavilions constructed on the Sanam Luang parade ground over seven months, had been decorated with flowers, garlands, and carved banana stalks.^[18] After the cremation, the funeral buildings were torn down, as they are sombre reminders of a royal death. According to Hindu belief, it is said that the spirit of the princess will then return home to Mount Meru, where all deities eternally live.^{[19][20][21][22]}

Galyani Vadhana Building

The Galyani Vadhana Building is in Priest Hospital, Bangkok. It has nine storeys and 15,096 m² usable area. With Princess Galyani Vadhana's support, the Kidney Foundation of Thailand coordinated with the Ministry of Public Health in its construction. The Government Lottery Office provided funds for it. Following the celebration of the princess's seventy-second birthday in 1995, her permission was sought to name the building after her, which she permitted, and dedicated it on 20 May 1994. The building supports the treatment of terminal chronic renal failure patients with 46 artificial kidney machines.

Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road

Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road runs through Bang Rak, Sathon, and Yan Nawa Districts of Bangkok. It is built of ferroconcrete with eight sixty meter wide lanes. Its length is 5.115 km from Surawongse Road in Bang Rak District in the southeast and meets Rama III Road in Yan Nawa District. It was included as an approach road project in the fourth Bangkok Development Plan (1992–1996). Upon completion, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration asked for permission to name it for Princess Galyani Vadhana, and the king consented in 1996.

Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital

Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital is a general hospital with 260 beds, in Mueang Narathiwat District, Narathiwat Province. Its floor space is 113,600 m². Originally just a medical station, in 1952 the Ministry of Public Health upgraded it to "Narathiwat Hospital". Later when Princess Galyani Vadhana was bestowed the title Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, the hospital board requested the Ministry of Public Health to give the new hospital a name, and the king named it "Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital" on 28 February 1997.

Princess of Naradhiwas University

Princess of Naradhiwas University was established by an act of 9 February 2005 merging all educational institutions in Narathiwat Province. Those institutions were Naradhiwas Technical College, Naradhiwas Agricultural and Technology College, Takbai Vocational College, and Boromarjonani College of Nursing.