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Her Royal Highness the Princess Galyani Vadhana is one of the hardest working member of the Royal Family. She normally goes about her work quietly and without much fuss. While the Thai Government and the press have been busy celebrating HM the King's 60th year on the Throne in 2006, and concentrating in 2007, HM the King's 80th birthday, many have nearly forgotten that HRH Princess Galyani is turning 84 on 6 May 2007, a very auspicious 7th cycle in the traditional Thai year. I'm glad to see that some have remebered and has in their own ways tried to make this a very special year for a very special member of the Royal Family.

Thailand normally celebrates birthdays or anniversaries every 12 years, according to the lunar calendar. It is similar to the Chinese calendar years, which is based on the 12 animal signs. Recently, most important birthdays are celebrated once an individual reaches the 5th cycle, which is 60 years, and then 72 for 6th cycle, and 84 for 7th cycle, and so on. Many have adopted the Western ways of celebrations, and tends to count on the rounded years, such as 60, 70, 75, 80, rather than the traditional 12-year- cycle. Some have included both, bringing celebration times for every year.

Her Royal Highness was born Her Serene Highness Mom Chao Galyani Vadhana on 6 May 1923 in London, the eldest child of HRH the Prince of Songkla and the Princess Mother Sri Nagarindra. She is the elder sister of HM King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) and HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).

In 1927, she was elevated to Her Highness (Pra Vorawongse Ther Pra Ong Chao) by HM King Prajadhipok (Rama VII).

In 1935, the princess was elevated to Her Royal Highness after her brother ascended the Throne as King Rama VIII. Her Royal Title was Somdetch Pra Chao Pi Nang Ther Chao Fa which translates as "the princess who is the King's elder sister."

In 1995, in the year of the Princess' 6th Cycle birthday, HM King Bhumibol bestowed on her the title of the Kroma Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, a traditional Siamese customs dating back to the Ayudhaya period, and not seen for decades. She thus became the Princess of Naradhiwas since.

After returning to Thailand from her studies in Switzerland, the princess became a professor in the French language, history and literature at Chulalongkorn University, assisting professor at Thammasat University, as well as guest lecturers at many others. At the same time she also represented HM the King at various charities and royal work, as well as her own work in the areas of medicine, public health, youth programmes and education. She also represented many organizations in the name of her father specializing in the medical field. After the passing of the Princess Mother, she continued to preside over and take full personal interests in all charities, foundations, associations, organizations and schools set up by her late mother.
The princess has represented HM the King in many visits abroad, as well as on her own behalf. With her keen interests in education, she came out with books and videos of all the countries she has visited educating the Thai public on the history and culture of the different countries. The videos are aired on Thai Televisions before and during each of her visits to a foreign country. She has also penned many books as well as give special insights in different books on a variety of subjects, including the history of the Siamese Royal Family, especially the descendents of King Rama V, her mother's philosophy and teachings, descriptions of ancient ceremonies and their meanings, and collections of royal emblems and cyphers of past era.
The Princess of Naradhiwas married Col. Aram Ratanakul Serireungriddhi in 1944 and had to relinguish her Royal title upon marriage to a commoner. After her divorce, she worked tirelessly for the betterment of the Thai people, and HM the King restored her Royal title in 1950. In 1969, the princess married His Highness Prince Varananda Dhavaj, son of His Royal Highness Prince Chudadhuj Dharadilok, Prince of Bejraburna. The princess has one daughter, Thanpuying Dasna Valaya Sorasongkram, from her first marriage and one grandson. Her only daughter has represented HRH in many functions and events, as with the workload the princess has taken, it is near impossibility to be in the same place at one time. Her interests in classical music is welknown, and with the growing appreciation of the Thai people in classical music concerts, the princess has presided over many charity concerts that has sprang up in Thailand during the past 5-10 years. Lately, the princess has cut back the number of engagements with her advancing age, but has not cut down her involvement in any of her work.
The Thai people rejoice in having the Princess of Naradhiwas as a very distinguished and hard working member of the Royal Family, and greatly respect her for her commitment and no-nonsense approach to her work. We all wish her a very Happy 7th Cycle Birthday, and that she may find continued good health and happiness always.
For her 6th Cycle Birthday Celebrations in 1995, the number one Thai society magazine, Ploy Gam Petch, commissioned famous portrait photographer, Sukchai Guy, for portraits of HRH to commemorate the event. Parts of the photos can be viewed below. All images are taken from Ploy Gam Petch, issue 79, 15 May 2538 (1995).
Cover
The said issue of the magazine Ploy Gam Petch is seen as a collectible edition, and is sought after by collectors. It features the Royal Portraits, interviews with the Princess, her daughter, and 4 members of the Royal Houses of Paribatra, Kitiyakara and Diskul, who were also celebrating their 6th Cycle Birthday. In addition, the magazine came out with a special book called "One in a Hundred" where 100 aristocrats and society figures donated a certain amount, get their portraits taken by Sukchai Guy and published in the book, and received a signed photograph of HRH. All proceeds went to charities of the Princess' choosing.
March Trocadero Group have launched Thailand Limited Edition watches by distinctive watch companies Ulysse Nardin, Carl F. Bucherer, Oris and Orient to commemorate the 7th Cycle birthday of HRH the Princess of Naradhiwas.
24 March The Tamnak Prathom Harp Centre kicks off a series of harp concerts throughout the year in honour of HRH the Princess of Naradhiwas at the Siam Society. HRH graciously attended the concert.
4-13 May Photo Exhibition at the Siam Paragon Shopping Complex organized by the Princess' family and loayalists depicting the Princess' life from 4-13 May. The exhibition will then travel around Thailand throughout the year ending up at the Doi Tung Villa in Chiang Rai.
6 May Thai people around Thailand celebrated the 72nd Birthday of HRH the Princess of Naradhiwas. Many held Buddhist ceremonies in her commemoration, and many men ordained as monks in her honour. The princess' official colour, blue, was the colour of the day. In addition, the Office of the Secretariate to HRH has come out with many souvenirs, including t-shirts and pins, which sold out almost immediately.
17 December

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's concert in Bangkok in celebration of the Princess' birthday featuring Dame Kiri and the pianist, Julian Reynolds. Sadly, the Princess Galyani could not attend, as she has been admitted to Siriraj Hospital since October for cancer treatment. The event was attended by HRH Princess Chulabhorn, as well as all the individuals of the Court of the Princess Galyani. Programme pages: Cover, Dame Kiri ,Programme

19 December The Tamnak Prathom Harp Centre held a Harp and Flute Concert to end the series of harp concerts held throughout the year. The concert featured Ms. Catrin Finch, formerly Harpist to the Prince of Wales, and Ms. Juliette Bausor. The pair have played for the Princess Galyani twice before, and Ms. Finch three times; the first time was a solo harp concert on the Prince Chudadhuj Grand Concert Harp. Programme pages: Cover, The Princess, Information, Programme, The Duo with the Princess 2005
21 December

The official web site to celebrate the Princess' 84th birthday is launched. The web site is in Thai only, I'm afraid, and not quite complete just yet, but it has a lot of information about the Princess. It was at www.hrh84yrs.org but no longer exist.
25 December The cabinet approved funds to build the Galyani Vadhana Classical Music Institute to mark the Princess' 84th birthday anniversary. It is a fitting tribute as the Princess' love for music is a welknown fact, which helps to promote the awareness of many classical concerts held in Thailand in the last 5-10 years.
   
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