by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2014
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand was born at the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, Dusit Palace in Bangkok, Thailand on April 2, 1955, the third of four children of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Sirikit Kitiyakara. She has three siblings:
- Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya (born 1951), married and divorced American businessman Peter Jensen, had two daughters and one son, their son was killed in the 2004 tsunami
- King Maha Vajiralongkorn (born 1952), married (1) Soamsavali Kitiyakara, had one daughter, divorced (2) Yuvadhida Polpraserth, had five children, divorced (3) Srirasm Akharaphongpreecha, had one son, divorced (4) Suthida Tidjai
- Princess Chulabhorn Walailak (born 1957), married Virayudh Tishyasarin, an Air Vice Marshal in the Royal Thai Air Force, had two daughters, divorced
Princess Sirindhorn completed her primary and secondary education at the exclusive Chitralada School, established for the children of the Thai royal family. She then attended Chulalongkorn University, earning a bachelor’s degree in history in 1976. After that, she enrolled in two Master’s programs concurrently, earning a master’s degree in Oriental Epigraphy in 1979 from Silpakorn University, and another in Oriental Languages from Chulalongkorn University in 1980. She later received a doctorate in Educational Development in 1986 from Srinakharinwirot University.
Princess Sirindhorn greeting Crown Princess Masako of Japan at the Dutch enthronement, 2013. photo: Zimbio
The Princess is a professor and Head of the History Department at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, in addition to many royal duties and visits on behalf of the King. Princess Sirindhorn is perhaps more widely known throughout the world than her brother and sisters, as she has for many years represented her father at events outside of Thailand. She often represents the Thai Royal Family at other royal events, such as the enthronement ceremonies for King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (along with her brother).
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King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s son Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, daughter Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, daughter Princess Bajrakitiyabha Manidol, sister Princess Ubolratana, sister Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Queen Suthida attend his coronation in 2019
The princess is also active in charitable causes. She serves as Executive Vice President of the Thai Red Cross Society, and Executive Chairman of the Chaipattana Foundation (in charge of His Majesty the King’s development and environmental conservation projects), the Anandha Mahidol Foundation (to promote higher education), and the King Rama II Foundation (to conserve and promote Thai culture). In addition, she serves as President of the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation (to provide international recognition to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of medicine and public health). She has also founded the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Charity Fund with aims to support projects that improve people’s life conditions including programs that relieve those suffering from catastrophe.
Princess Sirindhorn with her parents, 2012. photo: Bangkok Post
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