Bejaratana

Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda (เพชรรัตนราชสุดา; ;, 25 November 1925 – 27 July 2011) was the only child of the King Vajiravudh of Thailand. She was a first cousin of King Bhumibol Adulyadej as well as a third cousin to Prince Bhisadej Rajani on her paternal side and third cousin of King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia on her maternal side.

Her funeral was held on 9 April 2012, at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground in Bangkok.

Biography


Princess Bejaratana was born on 25 November 1925 in the Grand Palace, Bangkok, the only child of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) and Princess Suvadhana. Having seen his daughter only one time, the king died the following day. Her uncle, who became King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), performed the naming ceremony for the princess on 30 December.

Princess Bejaratana and her mother moved to Suan Hongsa Villa in Dusit Palace, where she received her education from a private tutor. They moved in with Queen Sri Savarindira (the Queen Dowager) during World War II, and the princess attended Rajani School until she was 12. She and her mother then moved to England, where she continued her education and took medication for her poor health. She first stayed at Fairhill Villa in Surrey, before settling in Brighton.

In November 1957, Princess Bejaratana returned to Thailand. She bought land on Sukhumvit Road Soi 38, and built Ruenruedi Villa Palace. The princess undertook her duties of representing the royal family. Her special interests were in education, public health, Buddhism, the soldiers and police guarding Thailand's borders, and general public welfare.



Near the end of her life she reduced her royal duties due to age, but occasionally still did work relating to her royal father.

Princess Bejaratana died on 27 July 2011 at 16:37 at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, aged 85.

Military rank

 * General, Admiral and Air Chief Marshal

Honours

 * Order of the Royal House of Chakri (Thailand) ribbon.svg Dame of the Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri (1957)
 * Ratana Varabhorn Order of Merit ribbon.svg Dame of the Ratana Varabhorn Order of Merit (1925)
 * Order of Chula Chom Klao - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Dame Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao (1958)
 * Order of the White Elephant - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Dame Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (1992)
 * Order of the Crown of Thailand - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Dame Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (1967)
 * Order of the Direkgunabhorn 1st class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Dame Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn (1995)
 * Order of Ramkeerati (Thailand) ribbon.svg Member (Special Class) of the Order of Symbolic Propitiousness Ramkeerati (1990)
 * King Rama VI Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Rama VI Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Class (1925)
 * King Rama VII Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Rama VII Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Class (1926)
 * King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Class (1986)
 * Ribbon bar of Red Cross Medal of Appreciation, 1st Class (Thailand).svg First Class (Gold Medal) of the Red Cross Medal of Appreciation (1967)