The entire Pattaya Mail staff joins the Kingdom of
Thailand in humbly wishing HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn a long, healthy
and happy life on this occasion of the Royal Anniversary of Her Birth. (Photo
courtesy Bureau of the Royal Household)
The Kingdom of Thailand on April 2 celebrates the most auspicious occasion of
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 58th birthday. We at the
Pattaya Mail Media Group join in with our most humble wishes for HRH Princess
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for a long, healthy and happy life.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was born on April 2, 1955,
the third child of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand.
In March 2013, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
at the Chitralada Palace granted an audience to Chatchawal Supachayanont
(right), GM of Dusit Thani Pattaya, and his management team who presented a
donation to supplement the Chai Pattana Foundation under the patronage of HM the
King.
HH the Princess studied from kindergarten to high school at Chitralada School in
Bangkok. She ranked first in the National School Examinations in the primary
level (grade 7) in 1967 and in upper secondary level (grade 12) in 1972.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn tours the
exhibits at the 10th Thai Red Cross Assembly at the Ambassador City Jomtien
Hotel in August, 2011.
Ranked fourth in the National University Entrance Examination, HRH the Princess
enrolled in the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University and graduated with a
Bachelor of Arts degree, first class honor, and a gold medal in History in 1976.
She continued her studies in two graduate programs concurrently, obtaining an
M.A. in Oriental Epigraphy (Sanskrit and Cambodian) from Silpakorn University in
1978, and an M.A. in Pali and Sanskrit from Chulalongkorn University in 1980.
She enrolled in a doctoral program at Srinakharinwirot University (former
College of Education) in 1981, and was awarded a doctoral degree in
Developmental Education in 1987.
The principle of using education as a means for community and social
development, which HRH the Princess acquired during her doctoral studies along
with her former experiences in the field, has provided her with a solid base for
her subsequent involvement in community development activities.
In addition to her formal degree programs, HRH the Princess has attended several
training courses and workshops to enhance her knowledge and skills in effective
integrated development. These subjects include computer, cartography,
meteorology, survey and photogrammetry, remote sensing and geographic
information system and nutrition.
HRH the Princess holds honorary degrees in Geography, Chinese Studies of Humane
Letters, Agriculture, Botany, Chinese, Pharmacy, Information Technology, Rural
Technology, Public Health, Humane Letters, Regional Development Strategies,
Environmental Science, Veterinary Medicine, Physics, and Laws.HRH the Princess
has acquired first-hand experiences in working on development projects initiated
by Their Majesties the King and Queen. These projects involve a number of
diversified fields including health and hygiene, education, water resource
development, agriculture and cottage industry by regularly accompanying Their
Majesties on visits to remote areas since the age of sixteen.
From these experiences, HRH the Princess has developed special interests in
agricultural extension to improve school children’s nutritional conditions;
supports education from pre-school to tertiary levels; and mother and child
care. She has also concentrated on helping the handicapped, especially in using
information technology (IT) to develop independent living and learning skills.
HRH the Princess runs several philanthropic organizations and foundations. She
has been Executive Vice President of the Thai Red Cross Society since 1977;
Executive Chairman of the Chaipattana Foundation (in charge of His Majesty’s
development and environmental preservation projects), Ananda Mahidol Foundation
(to promote higher education), the King Rama II Foundation (to conserve and
promote Thai Culture); President of the Sai Jai Thai Foundation (to support
disabled veterans), Prince Mahidol Award Foundation (to award prizes annually to
members of the international community for outstanding performances in the
fields of medicine and public health); and Adviser of the Committee of Thai
Junior Encyclopedia Project by Royal Command of H.M. the King.
HRH the Princess began her teaching career in 1979 when she started teaching the
General Education Program at Chulalongkorn University. A year later, she joined
the Department of Law and Social Sciences, in the Academic Division of
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. Presently she is Director of the
Department of History, and has played an active part in revising its curriculum.
She also supervises the Thai Music Club at the Academy. Occasionally HRH the
Princess gives special lectures at several other institutions and regularly
attends academic conferences and seminars both in and outside the country.
In addition, HRH the Princess represents Their Majesties in various royal
functions. She also presides over ceremonies as well as other social and charity
functions all through the year. In 1991, HRH the Princess was awarded the
Magsaysay Award for Public Service.
HRH the Princess likes to travel around the Kingdom and abroad to obtain
knowledge of physical geography and peoples’ varied lifestyles. One of her
favorite pastimes is writing articles, poetry and short stories. Proceeds from
her written accounts of her overseas travels are the main source of income for
the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Foundation which was set up in 1979 to
support needy students in schools, vocational colleges and universities.
In March 2005, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn received the UNESCO Goodwill
Ambassador title for the “Empowerment of Minority Children through Education and
through the Preservation of Their Intangible Cultural Heritage” from UNESCO
Director-General Koichiro Matsuura.
HRH the Princess loves Thai literature and studies literature of other
countries. She enjoys playing classical Thai instruments and practicing Thai
classical dancing. She also paints and is keen on sports, including jogging,
swimming, biking and trekking - which gives her an opportunity to learn about
plants, trees and geographical features of the areas.
In addition to her knowledge of Pali, Sanskrit and Cambodian, HRH the Princess
is communicative in both English and French and has been learning Chinese,
German and Latin.
On March 7, 2010, HRH the Princess was selected by Chinese people to receive the
‘Chinese Connection - Top Ten International Friends of China’ Award. Chinese
people on line voted HRH the Princess as one of the ten best international
friends of China. The survey was arranged by the state-run CRI. HRH the Princess
is the only figure in the Southeast Asian region to receive such an award and is
among the few living awardees. She has visited China many times since 1981 and
she has been playing a vital role in fostering relationships between Thailand
and China.
On June 27, 2010, as part of the opening of the 60th Meeting of Nobel Laureates,
the Foundation Lindau Nobel Prizewinners Meetings at Lake Constance admitted
three new members into its Honorary Senate, which brings together personalities
from science, business and politics and advises the Foundation Board. The
Foundation, whose Founders Assembly includes 232 Nobel Laureates, honored Her
Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Dr. Christof Bosch and Prof. Dr.
Annette Schavan for their commitment to promoting science and research, as well
as dialogue between the scientific community and society.
On July 15, 2010, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was
presented with the “Fulbright Caring Leader Across Cultures Award” by Ms. Alina
Ramonowski, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of State, in honor of
Her Royal Highness’ dedication to the peoples of different cultures, serving as
an excellent example to the world community at large. The presentation was held
during the “International Symposium on Caring Leaders across Cultures” in
celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Fulbright Program in Thailand,
presided over by Her Royal Highness and co-hosted by the Thai Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the U.S. Department of State, and the Thailand-United States
Educational Foundation (TUSEF/ Fulbright Thailand), at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.
On April 17, 2012, Her Royal Highness was inducted to the Honorary Doctor of
Letters at Lingnan University in Hong Kong.
Happy Birthday from all of us at the Pattaya Mail Media Group!
