Kitiyakara Voralaksana, 1st Prince of Chanthaburi (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). Through Sirikit he is also the maternal great-grandfather of King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), who has been King of Thailand since 2016.
Biography
King Chulalongkorn's four sons while studying in Britain
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). His maternal grandfather was a prominent Thai Chinese businessman who initiated the creation of the Khlong Phasi Charoen.[2] 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.[3] 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). On 26 April 1902, his father gave him the royal title as 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
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.
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
Members of the House of Kitiyakara, 1925
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 Dheves 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.
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