Bhisadej Rajani
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| Bhisadej Rajani | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince of Thailand | |||||
 | |||||
| Born | 20 January 1922 Bangkok, Siam | ||||
| Spouse | Dajriraj Vorawan | ||||
| Issue | Dajrabimala Rajani Bhavari Rajani Dhiradej Rajani | ||||
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| House | Rajani family (Chakri Dynasty) | ||||
| Father | Prince Rajani Chamcharas, the Prince Bidyalongkorn | ||||
| Mother | Barabimalabanna Voravan | ||||
Prince Bhisadej Rajani (Template:Lang-th; RTGS: Phisadet Ratchani; complete title: His Serene Highness Prince (Mom Chao) Bhisadej Rajani; born 20 January 1922) is a prince of Thailand, a member of the Thai royal family, and a member of the House of Rajani, a royal house which was originated by his father and descends from Chakri Dynasty. He is one of the longest-living royal personages in the Thai history. He was a close-friend of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He is an author and worked as the directory of the Royal Project Foundation for the king.[1] He is also a great-grandson of Siamese Vice-King Pinklao, who in turn was a son of Rama II.
Biography
Prince Bhisadej Rajani was born on 20 January 1922. He is the youngest son of Prince Rajani Chamcharas, the Prince of Bidyalongkorn (son of Prince Yodyingyos, the Prince Bovorn Vichaichan) and Mom Chao Barabimalabanna Voravan (daughter of Prince Vorawannakara, the Prince Naradhip Prabandhabongs). He is the great-grandson of the Vice-King Pinklao. He is the younger brother of Princess Vibhavadi Rangsit, Queen Sirikit's lady-in-waiting and well-known royalty author, who was shot down in a helicopter by insurgents while visiting soldiers.[citation needed]
He graduated from Debsirin School and continued his education at Dulwich College in England where he played rugby, tennis, and squash. Running many races a day, young Prince Bhisadej finally won the Victor Ludorum gold medal (Latin for 'winner of the games') at the annual Thai students in the UK meeting. During World War II, he joined the British Army in 1943 as a soldier and British spy. He was trained to walk up the hills with a rifle and heavy back pack. He trekked the Himalayan Mountains for two weeks with an army from Darjeeling Hill Station in India to Nathula Pass in Tibet. After the army training, he engaged the underground resistance movement activities against Japanese called Free Thai Movement during the War. After the war, he came back to Thailand and worked as an officer in the Border Patrol Police in their schools along the northern Thai border for a few years.
Royal duties
Prince Bhisadej was a close friend of King Bhumibol Adulyadej since the king held the title Prince during his elder brother's, King Ananda Mahidol, reign. In a 1969 narcotics campaign, during which hill tribe villagers in the northern territory grew opium, King Bhumibol Adulyadej established the Royal Project Foundation centred in Fang District under his command to encourage hill tribes to renounce opium-growing. As president of the organisation, Bhisadej gave advice to them about growing instead cash crops such as strawberries, peaches, plums, as well as vegetables and fruits. He also served as president of the Thai-United Nations Hill-Tribe Economic Development Project and of the Highland Agricultural Research Committee.
Later life
While working in Chiang Mai Province, Prince Bhisadej lives a very simple lifestyle. His hobbies are reading, listening to music, and photography. He has been fond of photography since he was 14 years old. He enjoys taking pictures of flowers grown at The Royal Development Centres, particularly English roses at The Royal Agricultural Station Ang Khang, which are in full bloom in April. He enjoys novels and books about history and rural travels that describe the lives of farmers, especially in France and Spain.
His most recent book in Thai entitled Cheewit Chun Chun (Template:Lang-th; RTGS: Chiwit Chan Chan), published in 2002 under the pseudonym P. of Pramualmak (Template:Lang-th; RTGS: Pho Na Pramuanmak); the letter P stands for his name when romanised in the RTGS style, Phisadet. His book is autobiographical and also deals with Thai history some 100 years ago.
Prince Bhisadej is respected by Thais for his dedication and long contributions to King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Royal Projects.[2] The prince is frequently invited to preside over academic or international meetings and social events.[3]
Marriage
Prince Bhisadej married his first cousin, Mom Rajawongse Dajriraj Vorawan, daughter of Mom Chao Nitayakara Vorawan and Mom Kaew Vorawan na Ayudhya. She is the granddaughter of Prince Voravannakara, the Prince Naradhip Prapanpongse, and is the direct niece of Mom Chao Barabimalabanna Voravan, who is Prince Bhisadej's mother.
The couple has two daughters and one son:
The prince and his family reside at Pramual Palace in Silom, Bangkok, but frequently reside at his private residence in the area of The Royal Project Development and Agricultural Centre, Doi Ang Khang, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province.
Title
| Styles of Prince Bhisadej Rajani | |
| |
| Reference style | His Serene Highness |
|---|---|
| Spoken style | Your Serene Highness |
| Alternative style | Sir |
- His Serene Highness Prince (Mom Chao) Bhisadej Rajani : 20 August 1922–present
Royal Decoration
Knight Cross of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao (First class): 5 May 1988–present
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Ancestry
| Prince Bhisadej Rajani | Father: Prince Rajani Chamcharas, the Prince Bidyalongkorn |
Paternal Grandfather: Prince Yodyingyos, the Prince Bowon Wichaichan |
Paternal Great-grandfather: Pinklao, Vice-King of Siam |
| Paternal Great-grandmother: Chao Chom Manda Em | |||
| Paternal Grandmother: Chao Chom Manda Liamlek |
Paternal Great-grandfather: unknown | ||
| Paternal Great-grandmother: unknown | |||
| Mother: Mom Chao Barabimalabanna Voravan |
Maternal Grandfather: Prince Voravannakara, the Prince Naradhip Prabandhabongs |
Maternal Great-grandfather: Mongkut, King Rama IV of Siam | |
| Maternal Great-grandmother: Chao Chom Manda Khien | |||
| Maternal Grandmother: Mom Phun Vorawan na Ayudhya |
Maternal Great-grandfother: unknown | ||
| Maternal Great-grandmother: unknown |
References
- ^ Royal Activities and International Cooperation (PDF). Bangkok: The National Identity Foundation. 2011. p. 117. ISBN 978-616-235-009-2. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ Kemasingki, Pim (1 December 2016). "Farmer, Soldier, Sailor, Spy: The Prince Who Built His Majesty's Royal Project". City Life Chiang Mai. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ "Ambassadors visit Royal Projects in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2019.