Kitiyakara Voralaksana, 1st Prince of Chanthaburi (; ; 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 (). His descendants use this royal surname. He is the paternal grandfather of Queen Sirikit, consort of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX of Thailand). Through Sirikit he is also the maternal great-grandfather of King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), who has been King of Thailand since 2016.
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 (). His maternal grandfather was a prominent Thai Chinese businessman who initiated the creation of the Khlong Phasi Charoen.Siamese Aristocracy: The Pisolyabutra Family 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: Prince Raphi Phatthanasak, Prince of Ratchaburi Prince Pravitra Vadhanodom, Prince of Prachinburi Prince Chirapravati Voradej, Prince of Nakhon Chaisi
After returning to Bangkok, he worked in the Office of the Royal Secretariat and Education Office (later Ministry of Education). On 26 April 1902, his father gave him the royal title as Prince of Chanthaburi, translated as Krom Muen Chunthaburi Naruenat (, 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 He had worked at the Royal Secretariat office once he had come back to Siam in 1894 before becoming the director general of Education Department, ministry of education before being transferred to Comptroller General Department, Ministry of Finance in 1902 due to the diploma on accountant while studying in Balliol College, Oxford University. He later become an acting minister of finance in 1907 after resignation of Phraya Suriyanuwat (Koed Bunnag) due to endless conflicts with other ministers in the cabinet and the tax collectors. He had become officially minister of finance on 1 April 1908 due to his competency to handle the affairs in Ministry of Finance which successfully paved the way for Siamese Baht to be in Gold Standard on 11 November 1908.
He established the Saving Office (now Government Saving Bank) on 1 April 1913 for common people, savings and deposit to avoid any dangers; like thieves, fires, etc. He promoted saving money to all the people, and he established the Department of Commerce and statistics management service. He outlined the legal regulation of customs, and updated the ministries of revenue and taxation. Then were collected all the levy offices in the one department, in the control of this ministry. Moreover, he provided laws of alcohol and opium control into a government monopoly, thus paving the way for the future ability to enforce the government's opium ban.
In 1920, he became minister of commerce, according with his excellent ability in commerce and economics. However, he had to step down from minister of finance due to the heavy workloads on both ministries, especially the financial deficits during 1920's.
In the reign of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), he became a member of the Supreme Council of State of Siam on 27 November 1925, with his uncles, and his half-brother, including Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse, the Prince Bhanubandhu Vongsevoradej Prince Chitcharoen, the Prince Narisara Nuvadtivongs Prince Disuankumarn, the Prince Damrong Rajanubhab Prince Paribatra Sukhumbandhu, the Prince of Nakhon Sawan
Moreover, he also worked as the committee of Siamese Royal Institute. He translated the novel Chandrakumarn Chadok from Pali into a Thai version. He created the Pali-Thai-Sanskrit-English Glossary, by using references from the Pali dictionary of R.C. Childers. Later the Pali Pakorn Association published this as the primary edition of dictionary, as the original had not been clearly done. Later, in the reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) gave the responsibility of restoring the original edition to Mom Luang Chirayu Navawongs, member of the Privy Council, joining with the Maha Mongkut Royal College Foundation. This new edition was established, published and now has become widely well-known.
Later life
In his later life, he went to Paris, France, to have his illnesses (Laryngeal cancer) treated. But he died there peacefully on 27 May 1931. Later, the Minister of Commerce built his statue and erected it to stand in front of the Commerce Ministry building. And the statue can be seen there, still standing today. This is in remembrance of the fact that he was the first Minister of Commerce of Siam, and all he did to protect the savings of common people in Thailand.
The official residence of the House of Kitiyakara is Deves Palace, Bangkok. His descendants continue to live in this palace today.
Marriage and issue Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana, the Prince of Chunthaburi had 5 consorts, with 24 children; 14 sons and 10 daughters. Mom Chao Absornsamarn Devakula, daughter of Prince Devan Udayavonsge, the Prince Dhevavongse Varoprakarn; had 6 sons and 6 daughters
NameBirthDeathNotesWeir, pp.286–299Prince Kiartikamchorn Kitiyakara7 September 189618 February 1902the first grandchild of King Chulalongkorn, died in childhood at age only 6Prince Amorn Samarnluksana Kitiyakara17 January 189714 August 1968married Mom Pin Kitiyakara na Ayudhya, Mom Chao Chavalit Obhas Rabhibhat, and Mom Chao Chiraka Kitiyakara; had 3 sons and 3 daughters, died at age 71Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara4 January 189811 February 1953father of Queen Sirikit, later The Prince of Chanthaburi II Suranath, married Mom Luang Bua Sanitvongse; had 2 sons and 2 daughters, died at age 56Princess Kamolpramoj Kitiyakara5 December 189828 November 1974married Mom Chao Marubara bhandhu Dhevakul and Mom Chao Vongsanuvatra Dhevakul; had issue, died at age 76Prince Manojmanop Kitiyakara24 January 190024 August 1901died in childhoodPrince Kachornjob Kitikhun Kitiyakara15 March 190128 January 1967married Mom Rajawongse Vichitrachom Jayakura; had 2 sons, died at age 65Princess Bibulaya Benchang Kitiyakara13 November 190227 April 1969married Prince Vanna Vaidhayakara, the Prince Naradhip Bongsaprabandh; had issue, died at age 66Princess Kalyankasombati Kitiyakara28 March 19044 February 1942married Mom Chao Muradhrabhisek Sohnakul; had issue, died at age 37Princess Chitra Banchong Kitiyakara28 January 190629 October 1944married Mom Rajawongse Nasatra Ladavalaya; had issue, died at age 37Princess Songapsara Kitiyakara22 July 190728 March 1988married Mom Chao Plurng Nobbhadol Rabhibhat; had issue, died at age 81Princess Sarada Chandra Kitiyakara26 December 190830 September 1923died youngPrince Pudh Kitiyakara8 February 191126 December 1911died in childhood
Jon Vijayabhai (later Mom Jon Kitiyakara na Ayudhya); had 2 sons and 2 daughters
NameBirthDeathNotesPrincess Badhana Kanana Kitiyakara30 September 190329 May 1966married Prince Vivadhanajaya Jayanta, son of Prince Jayanta Monkol, the Prince Mahisara Rajaharudaya; had issue, died at age 63Prince Samakhom Kitiyakara15 September 19051 October 1988married Mom Rajawongse Samaikarn Dhevakul; had 2 sons and 2 daughter (1 died infant), died at age 83Princess Bhornbhibatra Kitiyakara30 August 19077 February 1925died in childhoodPrince Kitimati Kitiyakara30 August 191527 January 1982unmarried, died at age 67
La-ong Vijarnbutra (later Mom La-ong Kitiyakara na Ayudhya); had 2 sons
NameBirthDeathNotesPrince Chomchit Kitiyakara16 October 190522 January 1948unmarried, died at age 43Prince Kolit Kitiyakara13 July 19102 January 1976married Princess Bhisidh Sobsamai; had 1 daughter, died at age 66
Jun Intaketu (later Mom Jun Kitiyakara na Ayudhya); had 2 sons and a daughter
NameBirthDeathNotesPrincess Chiraka Kitiyakara27 April 19138 November 1975married her half-brother Mom Chao Amorn Samarnlaksana Kitiyakara; had issue, died at age 62Prince Chirinanda Kitiyakara26 February 19159 April 1973married Somluksana Dhipsamai; had 2 sons and 2 daughters, died at age 58Prince Chiridanaya Kitiyakara1 December 191624 July 1981married his half-sister Mom Chao Kitipapiya Kitiyakara; had a son, died at age 67
Lamiet Plianprayul (later Mom Lamiet Kitiyakara na Ayudhya); had a son and 2 daughters
NameBirthDeathNotesPrincess Vinita Kitiyakara2 December 19136 March 1998married Mom Chao Vimvaditaya Rabhibhat; had issue, died at age 85Prince Suvanit Kitiyakara4 March 19159 April 1973married Princess Suddha Sirisobha, daughter of Prince Chudadhuj Dharadilok, the Prince of Petchabun; had 2 daughter, died at age 65Princess Kitipapiya Kitiyakara6 December 192325 May 2012married her half-brother, Mom Chao Chiridanaya Kitiyakara; had issue
Royal Decorations
Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana received the following decorations in the Honours System of Thailand (then Siam): Knight of The Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems Knight of The Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao Knight Grand Commander (Senangapati) of the Honourable of the Order of Rama (1st class) Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand The Ratana Varabhorn order of Merit King Rama V Royal Cypher Medal, Second Class King Rama VI Royal Cypher Medal, First Class King Rama VII Royal Cypher Medal, First Class Dushdi Mala
Ancestry
References
Kitiyakara house http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~royalty/thailand/i132.html http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~royalty/thailand/i44.html Death of HRH Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana