Thailand has launched year-long celebrations for the 150th anniversary of
the birth of the late Queen Sri Savarindira, the Queen Grandmother of Thailand.
Her Majesty Queen Sri Savarindira is recognized by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as one of the
world’s great personalities.
The year-long celebrations began in September 2012 and will run through
September 2013. The Thai government has organized various activities and
projects to celebrate this special occasion in Thailand. It has also joined
hands with UNESCO in organizing exhibitions in Paris and Chicago, featuring the
Queen’s life and work.
In Paris, the exhibition is scheduled for 25 October - 10 November 2012 at
the UNESCO Headquarters. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
also attended the exhibition on 6 November. The exhibition in Chicago will be
held at the Chicago History Museum in September 2013.
In Thailand, a revolving exhibition began in September 2012 and will be
held in all provinces nationwide until September 2013. Postage stamps,
commemorative coins, and other souvenirs will be issued to mark this occasion,
while books will also be published in honor of the late Queen.
Also known as Queen Savang Vadhana, Her Majesty Queen Sri Savarindira was a
royal consort of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and the grandmother of His Majesty
King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, in her citation on the
occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the late Queen Sri
Savarindira, said that UNESCO presented this special citation in recognition of
Her Majesty’s outstanding humanitarian endeavors and excellent contributions to
the development of the Kingdom of Thailand.
According to the citation, Her Majesty Queen Sri Savarindira was a
well-known humanist and philanthropist who devoted her entire life to the
development of education, the promotion of respect for cultural diversity, and
the advancement of applied science as well as social and human sciences.
During her lifelong devotion to social work, Her Majesty initiated and
supported numerous humanitarian activities, oftentimes donating her personal
funds, which led to profound practical social benefits. These included
introducing income-generating activities for learners in the non-formal
education system, improving national health through her opening of mobile
medical units and the introduction of western medical practices derived from
her appreciation of western knowledge. Ultimately, Her Majesty Queen Sri
Savarindira’s pioneering humanitarian work reflected her philosophy of “giving
without discrimination regarding race, country, and belief.”
Born on 10 September 1862, Queen Sri Savarindira was a daughter of King
Mongkut (Rama IV). During her childhood, the Queen Grandmother received her
education in the palace, studying letters and other subjects befitting the
education of a princess of the royal court. She was bright and intelligent,
with a keen memory. She passed away in 1955, at the age of 93.
(thailand.prd.go.th)
