Mahidol Adulyadej facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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Mahidol Adulyadej, c. 1914–1929
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| Born | Mahidol Adulyadej 1 January 1892 Bangkok, Siam |
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| Died | 24 September 1929 (aged 37) Bangkok, Siam |
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| Burial | 16 March 1930 Royal Crematorium, Sanam Luang, Bangkok |
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| Spouse |
Sangwan Talapat
(m. 1920) |
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| House | Mahidol (Chakri dynasty) | ||||||||
| Father | Chulalongkorn (Rama V) | ||||||||
| Mother | Savang Vadhana | ||||||||
| Religion | Theravada Buddhism | ||||||||
| Signature |  |
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| Military career | |||||||||
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Siam | ||||||||
| Service/ |
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| Years of service | 1908–1914 | ||||||||
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| Styles of The Prince Father |
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| Reference style | His Royal Highness |
Mahitala Dhibesra Adulyadej Vikrom, the Prince Father (Thai: สมเด็จพระมหิตลาธิเบศร อดุลยเดชวิกรม พระบรมราชชนก RTGS: Somdet Phra Mahitalathibet Adunyadetwikrom Phra Borommaratchachanok, born January 1, 1892 – died September 24, 1929), was a very important person in Thailand's history. He was the father of two kings: Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) and Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). He was also the grandfather of the current King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X). People remember him as the "Father of Modern Medicine and Public Health" in Thailand. He also started the Mahidol family, which is part of the current Royal Family of Thailand.
Prince Mahidol was the 69th child of King Chulalongkorn and the 7th child of Queen Savang Vadhana. His mother also took care of four other princes whose mothers had passed away. One of these princes, Rangsit Prayulsak, became a close friend of Prince Mahidol. Later, Prince Rangsit helped Mahidol a lot in his life. He even became a regent for one of Mahidol's sons, King Bhumibol.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Like other royal children, Prince Mahidol began his schooling at the Royal School inside the Grand Palace. He received the title of Prince of Songkla when he was 13 years old.
In 1905, he went to London to study at Harrow School. After a year and a half, he moved to Germany. There, he joined the Royal Prussian Military Preparatory College in Potsdam. He then continued his military training at the Imperial Military Academy in Berlin. His half-brother, King Vajiravudh, wanted him to join the Imperial German Naval Academy in Flensburg. While studying there, he even won a competition for designing submarines. In 1912, he became a Lieutenant in both the German Navy and the Royal Thai Navy.
When World War I started in 1914, Prince Mahidol had to return to Thailand. He was given a job teaching at the Royal Naval Academy. He was very interested in smaller ships like submarines and torpedo boats. However, he disagreed with older naval officers who preferred larger ships. Feeling that his ideas were not being used, he resigned from the Navy after nine months.
A Focus on Medicine and Public Health
Prince Rangsit, his half-brother and friend, was the head of the Royal Medical College at the time. Medical education and public health in Thailand were not as good as in Western countries. The Medical College and Siriraj Hospital were small, crowded, and lacked money and staff.
Prince Rangsit believed that if someone as important as Prince Mahidol supported improving medicine in Thailand, it would get more attention and funding. He invited Prince Mahidol on a boat trip. During the trip, he showed Mahidol the poor state of Siriraj Hospital. Prince Mahidol was surprised by what he saw. Prince Rangsit then asked him if he wanted to help. At first, Mahidol was unsure because he didn't know much about medicine. But after a few days, he agreed to help and decided to study medicine himself.
So, Prince Mahidol went to Cambridge, Massachusetts in the United States to study public health at Harvard. He also asked Prince Rangsit to choose four students to study in the U.S. Mahidol paid for two medical students, and his mother, Queen Savang Vadhana, paid for two nursing students. It is said that the Prince went to the train station himself to welcome the students. One of the nursing students was 18-year-old Miss Sangwal Talabhat. She would later become Prince Mahidol's wife and the mother of two future kings of Thailand.
Mahidol took good care of his students and became close to Miss Talabhat. Three years later, they returned to Thailand for a funeral. While there, they got married with the blessing of King Vajiravudh. Then, they went back to Harvard. Prince Mahidol received his Certificate in Public Health in 1921.
After his studies, he visited Edinburgh for a break. He also worked with the Rockefeller Foundation, which offered money and help to improve medical education in Thailand. His first child, Princess Galyani Vadhana, was born in London in 1923. He returned to Thailand that same year. He became the Director-General of the University Department in the Ministry of Education. Besides his administrative work, he also taught medical students at the Royal Medical College.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1925, Prince Mahidol went to Heidelberg, Germany, for kidney treatment. While there, his first son, Prince Ananda Mahidol, was born. Later, he returned to Harvard University to study medicine. His youngest son, Prince Bhumibol, was born in Massachusetts in 1927. Six months later, he earned his medical degree with honors. He came back to Thailand in December 1928.
One of the first things he did was set up scholarships for students studying medicine, nursing, and public health. He planned to work as a doctor at Siriraj Hospital. However, his royal status made it difficult because people felt he was too important for an internship. So, Mahidol chose another hospital, the missionary-run McCormick Hospital in Chiang Mai. He worked there day and night as a resident doctor. His patients lovingly called him "Mho Chao Fa," which means 'Doctor Prince.'
Soon, his kidney problems returned. Three weeks after starting work, he went to Bangkok for his uncle's funeral. He was never able to return to Chiang Mai. He also developed a liver problem, and his health got worse. Prince Mahidol passed away on September 24, 1929, at Sapathum Palace.
After his death, he was given the special title of the Prince Father (Somdej Phra Mahittalathibet Adulyadejvikrom Phra Borommarajachanok).
Lasting Contributions
Prince Mahidol taught at Chulalongkorn University. He was not only a teacher and administrator but also a great supporter. He used a lot of his own money to create scholarships. These scholarships helped university teachers in science and medicine study further. He also worked with the Rockefeller Foundation to help the university improve its academic programs.
His work still helps Thailand today. The students he sent abroad for scholarships became very important in modern Thai medicine. Many became great teachers, and some helped start new medical schools and universities. The Royal Medical School later became the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Chulalongkorn University. This school was a key part of the Medical University when it was founded in 1943. In 1969, the Medical University was renamed Mahidol University in his honor. The "Prince of Songkla" title also became the name of Prince of Songkla University in 1967.
To celebrate 100 years since his birth, the Prince Mahidol Award was created in 1992. This is an international award given for achievements in medicine, public health, and social services. The day he passed away, September 24, is now observed as Mahidol Day.
Many places are named after him:
- Public Health Institutes:
- Praboromarajchanok Institute, Ministry of Public Health (Thailand)
- Collaborative Project to Increase Production of Rural Doctor, Mahidol University
- Academies:
- Mahidol University
- Mahidol University International Demonstration School
- Prince Mahidol Hall, Mahidol University
- Prince of Songkla University
- Mahidol Wittayanusorn School
- PSU Wittayanusorn School
- Prince of Songkla University Demonstration School
- Mahittalathibet Building, Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Chulalongkorn University
- Mahittalathibet Building, Faculty of Public Health, Burapha University
- Species:
- Mahidolia mystacina (Valenciennes, 1837)
- Other:
- Prince Mahidol Award
- Mahidol Road, Chiang Mai Province
- Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Base
- Krommaluang Songkhla Nakharin Army Camp
Family and Children
Prince Mahidol Adulyadej had three children with his wife, Sangwan Talabhat:
| Name | Birth | Death | Marriage | Their children | |
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| Date | Spouse | ||||
| Galyani Vadhana, Princess of Naradhiwas | 6 May 1923 | 2 January 2008 (aged 84) | 11 July 1944 Divorced 1950 |
Aram Rattanakul Serireongrit | Dhasanawalaya Ratanakul Serireongrit |
| 24 September 1969 | Peince Varananda Dhavaj | None | |||
| Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) | 20 September 1925 | 9 June 1946 (aged 20) | None | None | |
| Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) | 5 December 1927 | 13 October 2016 (aged 88) | 28 April 1950 | Sirikit Kitiyakara | Princess Ubolratana |
| Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) | |||||
| Sirindhorn, Princess Royal | |||||
| Chulabhorn, Princess Srisavangavadhana | |||||
See also
- Srinagarindra
- Galyani Vadhana
- Ananda Mahidol
- Bhumibol Adulyadej
- Chulalongkorn University
- Mahidol University
- Prince of Songkla University
- Mahidolia mystacina
