Sirikit
Encyclopedia
Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat , is the queen consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej
, King (Rama
IX) of Thailand
. She is the second Queen Regent of Thailand (the first Queen Regent was Queen Saovabha Bongsri of Siam, later Queen Sri Patcharindra, the queen mother). As the consort of the king who was until 2010 the world's longest reigning head of state, she is also the world's longest serving consort of a monarch, though Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
, more than eleven years her senior, is the oldest currently serving consort.
, the son of Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana
, and Mom Luang Bua Sanidvongs. Her name, which was given by King Prajadhipok
, means "the Greatness of Kitiyakara".
She had three siblings; two elder brothers and a younger sister:
Sirikit was raised by her maternal grandparents for a year after her birth, as her father went to United States
to work as the secretary of the Siamese Royal Embassy at Washington D.C. Her mother joined her husband three months later. When she was one year old, her parents returned to Thailand. Sirikit lived together with her family in Deves Palace, near Chao Phraya River
, Bangkok
.
As a child, Sirikit often had outdoor visits with her paternal grandmother. Once in 1933, she traveled with Princess Absornsaman Devakula following King Prajadhipok's tour in Songkla.
, and Bangkok was attacked many times, thus causing unsafe transportation. She then moved to Saint Francis Xavier Convent School, because it was near the palace. She studied at that school from her second year at the primary level to the secondary level.
In 1946, when the war ended, her father moved to the United Kingdom
to work as the ambassador to the Court of St. James's
, taking his family with him. At that time, Sirikit was 13 and had graduated the secondary level. While staying in England, she learned to play the piano and learned English
and French
. She and her family moved to various countries including Denmark
and France
. While staying in France, she studied at a music academy in Paris
.
In France
, she met King Bhumibol Adulyadej
, who at that time had ascended to the throne and had been studying at Switzerland
. Sirikit welcomed the king by accompanying him to various tourist attractions. Both the king and Sirikit happened to be staying at the Thai Royal Embassy in Paris
, as well as a few other students. Both the king and Sirikit found common grounds on their likes and dislikes and thus began a relationship.
On 4 October 1948, while Bhumibol was driving a Fiat Topolino on the Geneva
-Lausanne
road, he collided into the rear of a braking truck 10 km outside of Lausanne. He hurt his back and incurred cuts on his face that cost him most of the sight in one eye. He subsequently wore an ocular prosthetic. While he was hospitalised in Lausanne, Sirikit visited him frequently. She met his mother, The Princess Mother Sangval
, who asked her to continue her studies nearby so that the king could get to know her better. Bhumibol selected for her a boarding school in Lausanne, Riante Rive. A quiet engagement in Lausanne followed on 19 July 1949, and the couple married on 28 April 1950, just a week before his coronation.
The marriage took place at Srapathum Palace. Queen Sri Savarindira, the Queen Grandmother
presided over the marriage ceremony. Both the king and Sirikit signed on line 11 of their certificate of marriage (.) As she was not yet 18, her parents also signed, on line 12 directly under her signature. Reproductions of the certificate are popular as souvenirs, and may be found by searching for its common name, "ใบสมรส สิริกิติ์". http://forum.saard.ac.th/forum/viewthread.php?tid=1657 She later received the Order of the Royal House of Chakri
, and became queen. After the coronation ceremony on May 5, 1950, both went back to Switzerland to continue their studies, and returned to Bangkok in 1952.
in 1956 (as is customary for all Thai Buddhist males), Queen Sirikit became regent. She performed her duties so satisfactorily that she was made queen regent and given the style of "Somdej Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat" by her husband on his birthday, December 5, 1956. Upon this inception, she became the second Siamese queen regent. The first queen regent was Queen Saovabha Bongsri of Siam, who was regent when her husband King Chulalongkorn
travelled to Europe
, and later became Queen Sri Patcharindra, the queen mother
.
The couple has 4 children; 3 daughters and a son:
and understanding for the Muslim
minorities in the southernmost provinces of Pattani
, Yala
and Narathiwat
have made her especially popular amongst the local Muslim populace. The queen has a strong bond with southern Thailand. She spends months in the Muslim-majority provinces every year. This role of the queen is considered to be as one of the more quiet diplomats.
Queen Sirikit published the book In Memory of my European Trip in 1964, her memoirs describing her time in Europe with the king. It was this book that made the people realise that she was a talented writer. Moreover, she composed many songs for performing with The Handsome Band, the music band of the palace.
The songs she composed were:
in December 2004. She has also been active in relief work for the many refugees from Cambodia
and Burma in Thailand.
Many things in Thailand have been named after the Queen:
The queen is also active in promoting Thai culture and history, mainly because of her initiative in the making of the Thai movie The Legend of Suriyothai
, one of the most lavish and expensive Thai movies ever made.
At present, the queen ranks as Field Marshal
, Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force
, usually mentioned in official documents that: Chom Phon Ying Chom Phon Ruea Ying Chom Phon Akat Ying Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat . The queen holds ceremonial supreme power, after her husband who ranks as the Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, among the Royal Thai Army.
In 1976, the Thai government honored the queen by declaring her birthday a national holiday. "Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday" is celebrated on August 12 each year.
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
, King (Rama
Rama (King of Thailand)
The kings in the current Chakri dynasty of Thailand are often referred to as Rama followed by Roman ordinal in English translation. The name Rama was adopted from the name of the Hindu god Rama, a reincarnation of Vishnu....
IX) of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. She is the second Queen Regent of Thailand (the first Queen Regent was Queen Saovabha Bongsri of Siam, later Queen Sri Patcharindra, the queen mother). As the consort of the king who was until 2010 the world's longest reigning head of state, she is also the world's longest serving consort of a monarch, though Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
, more than eleven years her senior, is the oldest currently serving consort.
Early life
Queen Sirikit was born on August 12, 1932, at the home of Lord Vongsanuprabhand, her maternal grandfather. She is the eldest daughter and the third child of Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala KitiyakaraNakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara
|align=right|Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara , was the eldest son of Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana, Prince of Chanthaburi and Princess Apsarasaman Kitiyakara...
, the son of Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana
Kitiyakara Voralaksana
His Royal Highness Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana, Prince of Chanthaburi, or Phra Chao Boromwongse Ther Phra Ong Chao Kitiyakara Voralaksana Kromma Phra Chanthaburi Narunath ; 8 June 1874 – 27 May 1931) was a Prince of Siam, a member of the Siamese Royal Family . He originated the House of...
, and Mom Luang Bua Sanidvongs. Her name, which was given by King Prajadhipok
Prajadhipok
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
, means "the Greatness of Kitiyakara".
She had three siblings; two elder brothers and a younger sister:
- Prof. Mom Rajawongse Galyanakit Kitiyakara, M.D. (September 20, 1929 – May 15, 1987)
- Mom Rajawongse Adulyakit Kitiyakara (November 2, 1930 – May 5, 2004)
- Mom Rajawongse Busba KitiyakaraBusba KitiyakaraMom Rajawongse Busba Kitiyakara Sathanapong was the daughter of Mom Chao Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara and younger sister of Sirikit Kitiyakara, who became Queen of Thailand.-Early life and education:...
(born August 2, 1934)
Sirikit was raised by her maternal grandparents for a year after her birth, as her father went to United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to work as the secretary of the Siamese Royal Embassy at Washington D.C. Her mother joined her husband three months later. When she was one year old, her parents returned to Thailand. Sirikit lived together with her family in Deves Palace, near Chao Phraya River
Chao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It runs through Bangkok, the capital city, and then empties into the Gulf of Thailand.-Etymology:...
, Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
.
As a child, Sirikit often had outdoor visits with her paternal grandmother. Once in 1933, she traveled with Princess Absornsaman Devakula following King Prajadhipok's tour in Songkla.
Education
At age 4, Sirikit attended the Kindergarten College at Rajini School (sometimes named as the Queen’s college). She studied until her first year at the primary level. During that time was the Pacific WarPacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
, and Bangkok was attacked many times, thus causing unsafe transportation. She then moved to Saint Francis Xavier Convent School, because it was near the palace. She studied at that school from her second year at the primary level to the secondary level.
In 1946, when the war ended, her father moved to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to work as the ambassador to the Court of St. James's
Court of St. James's
The Court of St James's is the royal court of the United Kingdom. It previously had the same function in the Kingdom of England and in the Kingdom of Great Britain .-Overview:...
, taking his family with him. At that time, Sirikit was 13 and had graduated the secondary level. While staying in England, she learned to play the piano and learned English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
. She and her family moved to various countries including Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. While staying in France, she studied at a music academy in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
In France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, she met King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
, who at that time had ascended to the throne and had been studying at Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Sirikit welcomed the king by accompanying him to various tourist attractions. Both the king and Sirikit happened to be staying at the Thai Royal Embassy in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, as well as a few other students. Both the king and Sirikit found common grounds on their likes and dislikes and thus began a relationship.
Marriage
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
-Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
road, he collided into the rear of a braking truck 10 km outside of Lausanne. He hurt his back and incurred cuts on his face that cost him most of the sight in one eye. He subsequently wore an ocular prosthetic. While he was hospitalised in Lausanne, Sirikit visited him frequently. She met his mother, The Princess Mother Sangval
Srinagarindra
Srinagarindra was a member of the Thai Royal Family and was a member of House of Mahidol, which is descended from Chakri Dynasty, originated by Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, the Prince of Songkla, son of King Chulalongkorn...
, who asked her to continue her studies nearby so that the king could get to know her better. Bhumibol selected for her a boarding school in Lausanne, Riante Rive. A quiet engagement in Lausanne followed on 19 July 1949, and the couple married on 28 April 1950, just a week before his coronation.
The marriage took place at Srapathum Palace. Queen Sri Savarindira, the Queen Grandmother
Savang Vadhana
Queen Savang Vadhana of Siam was a consort of King Chulalongkorn or Rama V. Her full name and title was Queen Sri Savarindira - thus she was not the Rajini , but just was a highest consort...
presided over the marriage ceremony. Both the king and Sirikit signed on line 11 of their certificate of marriage (.) As she was not yet 18, her parents also signed, on line 12 directly under her signature. Reproductions of the certificate are popular as souvenirs, and may be found by searching for its common name, "ใบสมรส สิริกิติ์". http://forum.saard.ac.th/forum/viewthread.php?tid=1657 She later received the Order of the Royal House of Chakri
Order of the Royal House of Chakri
The Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri was established in 1882 by King Rama V of The Kingdom of Siam to commemorate the Bangkok Centennial...
, and became queen. After the coronation ceremony on May 5, 1950, both went back to Switzerland to continue their studies, and returned to Bangkok in 1952.
Regency
When the king undertook a period of service as a Buddhist monkBhikkhu
A Bhikkhu or Bhikṣu is an ordained male Buddhist monastic. A female monastic is called a Bhikkhuni Nepali: ). The life of Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis is governed by a set of rules called the patimokkha within the vinaya's framework of monastic discipline...
in 1956 (as is customary for all Thai Buddhist males), Queen Sirikit became regent. She performed her duties so satisfactorily that she was made queen regent and given the style of "Somdej Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat" by her husband on his birthday, December 5, 1956. Upon this inception, she became the second Siamese queen regent. The first queen regent was Queen Saovabha Bongsri of Siam, who was regent when her husband King Chulalongkorn
Chulalongkorn
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama V was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was known to the Siamese of his time as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang . He is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam...
travelled to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and later became Queen Sri Patcharindra, the queen mother
Queen mother
Queen Mother is a title or position reserved for a widowed queen consort whose son or daughter from that marriage is the reigning monarch. The term has been used in English since at least 1577...
.
Children
- (Formerly HRH) Princess Ubolratana RajakanyaUbol RatanaPrincess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi , or Ubolratana in brief , is a princess of Thailand and the eldest child of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Regent Sirikit...
, born April 5, 1951 in Lausanne, Switzerland; married Peter Ladd Jensen, has 2 daughters (one son deceased) - HRH Crown Prince Maha VajiralongkornMaha VajiralongkornSomdet Phra Boromma-orasathirat Chao Fa Maha Vajiralongkorn Sayammakutratchakuman is the only son of Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, and Queen Sirikit...
, born July 28, 1952; married first time with Mom Luang Soamsavali KitiyakaraSoamsavali KitiyakaraPrincess Soamsawali of Thailand , née Mom Luang Soamsawali Kitiyakara is a member of Thai Royal Family, and is the former wife of her first cousin, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. She was titled "the Princess Mother of the King's First Grandchild" after her divorce with the Crown Prince in 1991...
(later divorced and became HRH the Princess Niece); has 1 daughter. Then married second time with Yuvadhida Polpraserth; has 4 sons and a daughter. And married third time with Srirasmi AkharaphongpreechaSrirasmiPrincess Srirasmi of Thailand , or Srirasmi, Princess of Thailand, is the consort of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. Born to a family of modest means, she entered the service of the Crown Prince at the age of 22...
; has one son. - HRH Princess Maha Chakri SirindhornMaha Chakri SirindhornPrincess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn 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, she is informally referred...
, born April 2, 1955; unmarried - HRH Princess Chulabhorn WalailakChulabhorn WalailakPrincess Chulabhorn of Thailand or Chulabhorn Walailak , born 4 July 1957 in Bangkok, is a Princess of Thailand, the youngest daughter of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and HM Queen Sirikit of Thailand...
, born July 4, 1957; married Virayudh Didyasarin, (then divorced); has 2 daughters
Cultural identity
Queen Sirikit's birthday, like the king's, is a national holiday, and is also Mothers' Day in the country. She is particularly revered in the more remote and traditional parts of the country, where the monarchy is regarded as semi-divine. Her work in promoting toleranceToleration
Toleration is "the practice of deliberately allowing or permitting a thing of which one disapproves. One can meaningfully speak of tolerating, ie of allowing or permitting, only if one is in a position to disallow”. It has also been defined as "to bear or endure" or "to nourish, sustain or preserve"...
and understanding for the Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
minorities in the southernmost provinces of Pattani
Pattani
Pattani may refer to* Pattani Province, in southern Thailand* Pattani , in southern Thailand* Pattani , which includes the above province** Pattani Kingdom, a former semi-independent kingdom...
, Yala
Yala Province
Yala is the southernmost province of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat. Yala is the only land-locked province in the south of Thailand...
and Narathiwat
Narathiwat
Narathiwat is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Narathiwat Province. The town covers the whole subdistrict Bang Nak of Mueang Narathiwat district. The town was established in 1936.-External links:...
have made her especially popular amongst the local Muslim populace. The queen has a strong bond with southern Thailand. She spends months in the Muslim-majority provinces every year. This role of the queen is considered to be as one of the more quiet diplomats.
Books and writing
The songs she composed were:
- Chao Chom Kwan (เจ้าจอมขวัญ)
- Thas Ther (ทาสเธอ)
- Sai Yud (สายหยุด)
- Nang Yam (นางแย้ม)
Charitable works and honors
Queen Sirikit is well known for her charitable work, where she is the honorary president of the Thai Red Cross, a post she has held since 1956. She gained new prominence in this role in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster in southern Thailand2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake...
in December 2004. She has also been active in relief work for the many refugees from Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
and Burma in Thailand.
Many things in Thailand have been named after the Queen:
- The Queen Sirikit Medical Center building, Ramathibodi Hospital
- The Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer, a new 10 storey hospital in Bangkok
- the Queen Sirikit National Convention CenterQueen Sirikit National Convention CenterThe Queen Sirikit National Convention Center is a convention and exhibition hall in Bangkok, Thailand.-Facilities and location:...
in BangkokBangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom... - the Queen Sirikit ParkQueen Sirikit ParkQueen Sirikit Park is a botanical garden in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, Thailand. Covering an area of 0.22 km², it is part of the larger Chatuchak Park complex. It was built in 1992 and named after Queen Sirikit to celebrate her 60th birthday...
in BangkokBangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom... - the Sirikit DamSirikit DamThe Queen Sirikit Dam is an embankment dam on the Nan River, a tributary of the Chao Phraya River, in Uttaradit Province, Thailand. The dam was built for the purpose of irrigation, flood control and hydroelectric power production...
on the Nan RiverNan RiverThe Nan River is a river in Thailand. It is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River.-Geography:The Nan River originates in Nan Province. The provinces along the river after Nan Province are Uttaradit, Phitsanulok and Phichit. The Yom River joins the Nan River at Chum Saeng...
, Uttaradit ProvinceUttaradit ProvinceUttaradit is one of the northern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Phrae and Nan... - the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, Chiang Mai ProvinceChiang Mai ProvinceChiang Mai is the second-largest province of Thailand, located in the north of the country. Neighboring provinces are Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Tak, and Mae Hong Son. In the north it borders Shan State of Burma...
- the Queen Sirikit Arboretum Garden, Pathum Thani Province
- the Queen Sirikit Cup, an annual Asian-Pacific golfGolfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
Teams Event - the Queen Sirikit Crab (Thaiphusa sirikit)
- the Queen Sirikit RoseQueen Sirikit RoseRosa 'Queen Sirikit is a hybrid rose of Konigin der Rosen and the Golden Giant Rose. It was first introduced in 1968. Two years later it won the First Prize in a rose competition in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Andre Hendricx, Director of "Grandes Roseraiea du Val de Loire", asked permission from...
- the Queen's Cup, annual football competition
The queen is also active in promoting Thai culture and history, mainly because of her initiative in the making of the Thai movie The Legend of Suriyothai
The Legend of Suriyothai
The Legend of Suriyothai is a 2001 Thai film directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, telling the story of Queen Suriyothai, who died in a battle in 1548 against Burmese invaders...
, one of the most lavish and expensive Thai movies ever made.
Awards
| Year | Award | Awarder |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | CERES Gold Medal | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
| 1985 | Humanitarian Award | Asia Society Asia Society The Asia Society is a non-profit organization that focuses on educating the world about Asia. It has several centers in the United States and around the world Hong Kong, Manila, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, and Melbourne... |
| 1986 | Best Conservationist Certificate | World Wildlife Fund |
| 1990 | Immigration and Refugee Policy Award | The Center of Migration Studies |
| 1991 | International Humanitarian Award | Friends of the National Children's Museum National Children's Museum The National Children's Museum is a 150,000-sq.-foot interactive museum for children that is planned to open in 2013 in Prince George's County, Maryland, as part of National Harbor... , Washington, DC |
| 1992 | Gold Medal for Outstanding Leadership | Asian Institute of Technology Asian Institute of Technology The Asian Institute of Technology is an international institution for higher education in engineering, advanced technologies, and management and planning... |
| 1992 | UNESCO Borobudur Gold Medal | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization |
| 1992 | UNICEF Special Recognition Award | United Nations Children's Fund United Nations Children's Fund United Nations Children's Fund was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946, to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II... |
| 1992 | Award of Excellence | United Nations Development Fund for Women |
| 1992 | UNEP Gold Medal of Distinction | United Nations Environment Programme United Nations Environment Programme The United Nations Environment Programme coordinates United Nations environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and has its... |
| 1993 | Woman of the Year 1993 Award | Stanford University Stanford University The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San... |
| 1995 | 1995 Lindbergh Award | The Lindbergh Foundation |
| 2000 | Merite de Invention | The Belgian Chamber of Inventors |
| 2001 | Special Prix | Bulgarian American Chamber of Commercial and Industry |
| 2002 | Louis Pasteur Award | International Sericultural Commission |
| 2002 | Award for Humanitarian Service | The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the nation's original three comprehensive cancer centers established by the National Cancer Act of 1971. It is both a degree-granting academic institution and a cancer treatment and research center located at the Texas Medical Center in... |
| 2004 | IUCN Gold Medal | International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
| 2005 | Food Safety Award | World Health Organization World Health Organization The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health... |
Honorary degrees
| Year | Field | Academy |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Social Work Social work Social Work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or... |
Thammasat University Thammasat University Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time... |
| 1960 | Public Health Public health Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health... |
Mahidol University Mahidol University Mahidol University is a public research university in Bangkok, Thailand. Established back in 1888 as School of Medical Practitioners, Siriraj Hospital and reorganized in 1943 as University of Medical Sciences . The university originally focused on Health Sciences but also expanded to other... |
| 1961 | Political Science Political science Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior... |
Chulalongkorn University Chulalongkorn University Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country... |
| 1962 | Home Economics Home Economics Home economics is the profession and field of study that deals with the economics and management of the home and community... |
Kasetsart University Kasetsart University Kasetsart University is a public university in Thailand and a top-ranked Public University in Thailand. It is ranked No.401-500 in the world by QS. It was also the first agricultural university and the third oldest university in Thailand... |
| 1963 | Humanities Humanities The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences.... |
Centro Escolar University Centro Escolar University Centro Escolar University is a private university in the Philippines. It was founded on June 3, 1907 by two women, Librada Avelino and Carmen de Luna, and was originally called Centro Escolar de Señoritas. It became a university in 1933... (Philippines Philippines The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam... ) |
| 1965 | Decorative Arts | Silpakorn University Silpakorn University Silpakorn University is a well-known public university in Thailand. The university was founded in Bangkok in 1943 by Italian-born art professor Corrado Feroci, who took the Thai name Silpa Bhirasri when he became a Thai citizen. It is the leading Thai university in the fine arts and archaeology,... |
| 1969 | Agriculture Agriculture Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the... |
Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen University is an internationally-recognized university in Asia. It is located in the Isan region of Thailand. The university is a central hub of education in north-east Thailand.-History:... |
| 1970 | Psychology Psychology Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society... |
Chiang Mai University Chiang Mai University Chiang Mai University is a public research university in northern Thailand founded in 1964 with a strong emphasis on engineering, science, and agriculture. Its instructional mission includes undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing education offered through resident instruction... |
| 1970 | Development Economics | National Institute of Development Administration National Institute of Development Administration National Institute of Development Administration is Thailand's most prestigious graduate university under the Commission on Higher Education, the Ministry of Education... |
| 1981 | Humane Letters | Tufts University Tufts University Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France... (United States of America) |
| 1983 | Political Science Political science Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior... |
Thammasat University Thammasat University Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time... |
| 1984 | Industrial Design Industrial design Industrial design is the use of a combination of applied art and applied science to improve the aesthetics, ergonomics, and usability of a product, but it may also be used to improve the product's marketability and production... |
Chulalongkorn University Chulalongkorn University Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country... |
| 1984 | Home Economics Home Economics Home economics is the profession and field of study that deals with the economics and management of the home and community... |
Sukhothai Thammathirat University |
| Humane Letters | Concord College (United States of America) | |
| 1988 | Medicine Medicine Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness.... |
Mahidol University Mahidol University Mahidol University is a public research university in Bangkok, Thailand. Established back in 1888 as School of Medical Practitioners, Siriraj Hospital and reorganized in 1943 as University of Medical Sciences . The university originally focused on Health Sciences but also expanded to other... |
| 1989 | Forestry Forestry Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands... |
Thammasat University Thammasat University Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time... |
| 1989 | Business Administration | Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen University is an internationally-recognized university in Asia. It is located in the Isan region of Thailand. The university is a central hub of education in north-east Thailand.-History:... |
| 1990 | Industrial Design Industrial design Industrial design is the use of a combination of applied art and applied science to improve the aesthetics, ergonomics, and usability of a product, but it may also be used to improve the product's marketability and production... |
King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang is a leading research and educational institution and one of Thailand's leading universities. It is in the city of Bangkok, Thailand... |
| 1990 | Vocational Education Vocational education Vocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation... Administration |
King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang is a leading research and educational institution and one of Thailand's leading universities. It is in the city of Bangkok, Thailand... |
| 1990 | Public Health Public health Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health... |
Sukhothai Thammathirat University |
| 1991 | Finance Finance "Finance" is often defined simply as the management of money or “funds” management Modern finance, however, is a family of business activity that includes the origination, marketing, and management of cash and money surrogates through a variety of capital accounts, instruments, and markets created... |
Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen University is an internationally-recognized university in Asia. It is located in the Isan region of Thailand. The university is a central hub of education in north-east Thailand.-History:... |
| 1991 | General Administration | Ramkhamhaeng University Ramkhamhaeng University Ramkhamhaeng University is one of two open universities in Thailand. The university was named in honor of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great of Sukhothai, who traditionally is credited for creating the Thai alphabet.... |
| 1992 | Technology of Environmental Management | Mahidol University Mahidol University Mahidol University is a public research university in Bangkok, Thailand. Established back in 1888 as School of Medical Practitioners, Siriraj Hospital and reorganized in 1943 as University of Medical Sciences . The university originally focused on Health Sciences but also expanded to other... |
| 1992 | Education Education Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts... |
Chulalongkorn University Chulalongkorn University Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country... |
| 1992 | Marketing Marketing Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments... |
Kasetsart University Kasetsart University Kasetsart University is a public university in Thailand and a top-ranked Public University in Thailand. It is ranked No.401-500 in the world by QS. It was also the first agricultural university and the third oldest university in Thailand... |
| 1992 | Thai Arts | Silpakorn University Silpakorn University Silpakorn University is a well-known public university in Thailand. The university was founded in Bangkok in 1943 by Italian-born art professor Corrado Feroci, who took the Thai name Silpa Bhirasri when he became a Thai citizen. It is the leading Thai university in the fine arts and archaeology,... |
| 1993 | Humane Letters | Georgetown University Georgetown University Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States... (United States of America) |
| 1995 | Humane Letters | Johns Hopkins University Johns Hopkins University The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States... (United States of America) |
| 1997 | Philosophy Philosophy Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational... |
Tokai University Tokai University is a private university in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1943 by Shigeyoshi Matsumae, who had formerly been the engineering president of the Ministry of Communications... (Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... ) |
| 2000 | Thai Language Thai language Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively... |
Thaksin University Thaksin University Thaksin University , is a public university in Southern Thailand. It located at Amphoe Muang Songkhla, Songkhla Province. It is far about twenty kilometers from Hat Yai District... |
| 2003 | Visual Communication Design | Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen University is an internationally-recognized university in Asia. It is located in the Isan region of Thailand. The university is a central hub of education in north-east Thailand.-History:... |
| 2004 | Textile, Costume,Garment and Fashion Design | Thammasat University Thammasat University Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time... |
| 2004 | Social Development Management | Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen University Khon Kaen University is an internationally-recognized university in Asia. It is located in the Isan region of Thailand. The university is a central hub of education in north-east Thailand.-History:... |
| 2004 | Natural Resource Management | King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi is a leading technology academy in Thailand, focusing on teaching and researching in engineering and technology as well as serving industry. The short famous name of the university is "Bangmod", a local name for the area around the university... |
| 2004 | Environmental Management | Prince of Songkla University Prince of Songkla University Prince of Songkla University was the first university in Southern Thailand, established in 1967. The name of the university was granted by His Majesty the King in honor of His Royal Highness Somdej Chao Fa Mahidol Adulyadej Kromma Luang Songkla Nakarin, the king's father.The university consists of... |
| 2005 | Food Science Food science Food science is a study concerned with all technical aspects of foods, beginning with harvesting or slaughtering, and ending with its cooking and consumption, an ideology commonly referred to as "from field to fork"... |
Kasetsart University Kasetsart University Kasetsart University is a public university in Thailand and a top-ranked Public University in Thailand. It is ranked No.401-500 in the world by QS. It was also the first agricultural university and the third oldest university in Thailand... |
| 2006 | Cultural Studies Cultural studies Cultural studies is an academic field grounded in critical theory and literary criticism. It generally concerns the political nature of contemporary culture, as well as its historical foundations, conflicts, and defining traits. It is, to this extent, largely distinguished from cultural... |
Rajabhat Songkla University |
| 2007 | Eastern Languages and Cultures | University of Saint Petersburg (Russia Russia Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects... ) |
Title and ranks
Her formal name and title is Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat . However, her official title is just Queen Sirikit.At present, the queen ranks as Field Marshal
Chom Phon
Chom Phon or Field Marshal of Thailand is a military rank of Thailand in the Royal Thai Army, considered the equivalent to a Field Marshal or General of the Army . Today it is ceremonially held by members of the Thai Royal family and exists only on paper in the actual Thai military...
, Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force
Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force
Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force is a 5-star rank and the most senior rank in the Royal Thai Air Force. It is equivalent to a Field Marshal in the Royal Thai Army and an Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal Thai Navy...
, usually mentioned in official documents that: Chom Phon Ying Chom Phon Ruea Ying Chom Phon Akat Ying Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat . The queen holds ceremonial supreme power, after her husband who ranks as the Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, among the Royal Thai Army.
- 12 August 1932 – 28 April 1950: The Honourable (English style) or Mom Rajawongse (Thai style) Sirikit Kitiyakara
- 28 April 1950 – 5 December 1956: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand
- 5 December 1956–present: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, Queen Regent of Thailand
In 1976, the Thai government honored the queen by declaring her birthday a national holiday. "Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday" is celebrated on August 12 each year.