Predecessor Koed Bunnag Children Nakkhatra Mangala Name Kitiyakara Voralaksana | Issue see below Successor Kasemsri Supayok | |
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In office 17 February 1908 – 17 January 1923 Born 8 June 1874Grand PalaceBangkok, Siam ( 1874-06-08 ) House House of KitiyakaraChakri Dynasty Spouse Chan Indraket, Lamiad Plianprayul, La-ong Vicharanabutra, Chon Vijayabhai Parents Chulalongkorn, Chao Chom Manda Uam Grandchildren Sirikit, Adulakit Kitiyakara, Busba Sathanapong, Galyanakit Kitiyakara Similar People Chulalongkorn, Sirikit, Nakkhatra Mangala, Busba Sathanapong, Paribatra Sukhumbhand | ||
Kitiyakara Voralaksana, Prince of Chanthaburi I (Thai: กิติยากรวรลักษณ์; rtgs: Kitiyakonworalak; 8 June 1874 – 27 May 1931) was a Prince of Siam, a member of the Siamese Royal Family (later Thailand). He originated the House of Kitiyakara (ราชสกุลกิติยากร). His descendants use this royal surname. He is the paternal grandfather of Queen Sirikit, consort of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX of Thailand).
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Biography
Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana was born at Grand Palace, Bangkok. He was the 12th child of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V of Siam, and Chao Chom Manda Uam (เจ้าจอมมารดาอ่วม). He attended primary school at Suankularb Wittayalai School, Bangkok. In 1885, he went to the United Kingdom, to study Oriental Studies, Pali and Sanskrit at Balliol College, Oxford. He went to study abroad with three of his half-brothers:
After returning to Bangkok, he worked in the Office of the Royal Secretariat and Education Office (later Ministry of Education). In 1902, he became the Minister of Finance. On 26 April 1902, his father gave him the royal title as The Prince of Chanthaburi, translated as Krom Muen Chunthaburi Naruenat (กรมหมื่นจันทบุรีนฤนาถ, the fifth level of the Krom ranks. He had used this title until his father's death. His royal title was elevated from Krom Muen into Krom Phra, the second level of the Krom ranks by his half-brother, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI)
Royal duties
In 1920, he became the Minister of Commerce, according with his well ability of commercial and economics. He established the warehouses or bank for people, saving deposit avoid any dangerous; like thieves, fires, etc. He promoted saving money to the people, and he established the Department of Commerce and statistics management service. He outlined the legal regulation of customs, and updated the revenue and taxation. Then collected all the levy office in the one department, in the control of the ministry. Moreover, he provided alcohols and opiums into a government's monopoly, for preparing to enforce the opium was prohibited later.
In the reign of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), he became a member of the Supreme Council of State of Siam, with his uncles, and his half-brother, including
Moreover, he also worked as the committee of Siamese Royal Institute. He translated the novel Chandrakumarn Chadok from Pali into Thai version. He created the Pali-Thai-Sanskrit-English Glossary, by used the references from the Pali dictionary of R.C. Childers. Later the Pali Pakorn Association published as the primary edition. But the original had not clearly done. Later, in the reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) gave the responsibility of restoring the original edition to Mom Luang Chirayu Nobhavongse, member of the Privy Council, joining with the Maha Mongkut Royal College Foundation. The new edition was established, and has become widely well-known.
Later life
In his later life, he went to Paris, France, to have his illness' treatment. But he died peacefully on 27 May 1931. Later, the Minister of Commerce built his statue stand in front of the Ministry building. And the statue has been still standing. In remembrance that he was the first Minister of Commerce of Siam...
The official residence of the House of Kitiyakara is Dheves Palace, Bangkok. Descendants continue to live in this palace.
Marriage and issue
Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana, the Prince of Chunthaburi had 5 consorts, with 24 children; 14 sons and 10 daughters.
Royal Decorations
Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana received the following decorations in the Honours System of Thailand (then Siam):