In Remembrance of Her Royal Highness Princess Somdet Phra Srinakarindra Boromarajajonani, 18 July
HRH Princess was born in Nonthaburi province on 21 October 1900, the third child in a family of four children. In 1919 Prince Mahidol proposed and the couple later married in 1920. Nine years into their marriage, the young couple traveled, studied and lived overseas and had three children; Princess Galayani, born in England, Prince Ananda Mahidol (King Rama VIII), born in Germany, and Prince Bhumibhol (King Rama IX), born in the USA.
The Mahidol Family made their biggest imprint in Thai history when the Princess Mother’s two sons became King Rama VIII and King Rama IX. During the reign of King Bhumibhol – King Rama IX, the Princess Mother worked tirelessly, travelling up-country regularly to help better the lives of the people, especially the poor, the less fortunate and the disadvantaged.
Recognition for all her royal projects to help better the lives of people
The Princess Mother maintained her interest in the well-being of the border police patrol families as they work to help protect our borders. She donated Bht. 1.2 million to set up the Support Foundation for the Border Patrol Police in 1967. She brought gifts to them purchased from her own funds, making frequent visits to their communities with her friends.
In June 1970, HM King Rama IX honored the Princess Mother with the royal title of “Somdet Phra Srinagarindhara Boromrajajonani” as recognition for all her royal projects to help better the lives of his people.
In 1985, to honor the Princess Mother’s contribution to Thai society, His Majesty set October 21, which coincided with the anniversary of the birth of the Princess Mother, as National Social Welfare Day. The was later changed to the National Nurses Day, in recognition of her role as a former nurse as well as her continued support to the nursing community and education.
UNESCO accolade: Mission for intellectual and moral solidarity
The work of HRH The Princess Mother has had far-reaching effects and acknowledgements, Of these, one of the greatest honours was UNESCO’s celebration of the centenary of her birth in the year 2000 as one of the world’s great personalities. The honour was given for her lifelong dedication to the well-being and education of the people in remote and isolated areas, particularly hill tribes and the underprivileged.
HRH The Princess Mother was beloved by all the people of Thailand, not only for the royal position to which she was destined, but most of all for her dedication and numerous achievements initiated for the benefit of the people.
Upon her death on 18 July 1995, the nation fell into a period of deep mourning, for we had lost a beloved and highly revered member of the Royal Family, a great benefactress, a virtuous lady who was not just a mother to two kings, but a “Somdet Ya”, or Royal Grandmother, to us all.
Long after her death in 1995, the Princess Mother’s legacy lives on in the hearts of all Thai people.
The UNESCO accolade ensures that her name and achievements are forever etched on a global scale-as a truly outstanding personality of the century.
Sources:
The Secretariat of the Prime Minister. (2001). The Princess mother of Thailand. Bangkok : The National Identify Board.
Our key inspiration: HRH Princess Somdet Phra Srinakarindra Boromarajajonani. (2019).
