The entire Pattaya Mail
Media Group staff joins the Kingdom of Thailand in humbly wishing HRH
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn a long, healthy and happy life on the
auspicious occasion of the Royal Anniversary of Her Birth April 2.
(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 56th birthday. We at the Pattaya Mail 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.
HRH 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.
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 28 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 Nobelprizewinners 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.
