King Mongkut Studies Project
Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet
Phra Chao Boromwongse Ther Phra Ong Chao Somawadi Srirattanaratchathida, Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet
Phra Chao Luk Thoe Phra Ong Chao Somawadi Srirattanaratchathida
Image from: National Archives of Thailand
Chao Chom Manda Thien, Principal Royal Consort
Image from: Collection of Historical Images of the Reign of King Mongkut.
Bangkok: Fine Arts Department, 2005. p. 39.
Phra Chao Boromwongse Ther Phra Ong Chao Somawadi Srirattanaratchathida, Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet, was a royal daughter born at the beginning of the reign of King Mongkut to Chao Chom Manda Thien. She was born on Friday, the 8th waxing day of the first lunar month, the Year of the Rat, Chatwa Saka, Chulasakarat 1214, corresponding to 19 November B.E. 2395. People within the royal court commonly referred to her as “Phra Ong Yai Soma” or simply “Phra Ong Yai,” according to preference. She had nine younger brothers and sisters of the same mother.
Phra Chao Luk Thoe Phra Ong Ying Chao Somawadi
Image from: National Archives of Thailand
Krom Phra Sommarat Sirichet (seated in the right row)
Image from: National Archives of Thailand
The Royal Coronation Ceremony of the year B.E. 2446 coincided with the year in which King Chulalongkorn had reigned for twice the length of the reign of King Mongkut. He therefore conceived the royal intention that Her Royal Highness Princess Somawadi Srirattanaratchathida, his elder sister, was a royal daughter who had received great royal affection from King Mongkut and had been especially favored more than others due to her quick intelligence in all royal affairs, her generous and broad-minded disposition among members of the royal family, and her diligence in supervising and directing the Inner Court so that all matters were accomplished in accordance with royal wishes and royal tradition. She was proficient in both old and new royal duties and devoted herself with great loyalty. A royal command was therefore issued to elevate Her Royal Highness Princess Somawadi Srirattanaratchathida to the rank of a Princess of a separate department of the Inner Court, with the title inscribed on the golden plaque as “Her Royal Highness Princess Somawadi Srirattanaratchathida, Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet,” granted a sakdina of 1,500 in accordance with the royal regulations for princesses of separate departments within the Grand Palace.
Image from: National Archives of Thailand
Phra Chao Boromwongse Ther Phra Ong Chao Somawadi Srirattanaratchathida, Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet, was one of the long-lived senior members of the Chakri Royal House. Throughout the reign of King Vajiravudh, she served as the custodian of the keys to the Inner Royal Residence, a duty she continued throughout that reign. She may thus truly be regarded as a royal figure of four reigns, having been born in the reign of King Mongkut and having lived on until nearly the end of the reign of King Prajadhipok. She witnessed many hardships and joys over the course of her life and upheld with complete dignity and grace the honor of her position as “Sirichet” under King Chulalongkorn.
King Chulalongkorn graciously bestowed exceptional honor upon her above his other elder sisters. She was granted a large royal residence, a two-story brick-and-mortar building in European architectural style. On occasions of royal ceremonies, Phra Ong Yai Soma held the position of leader among the royal children of King Mongkut.
Phra Chao Boromwongse Ther Phra Ong Chao Somawadi Srirattanaratchathida, Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet, suffered from illness due to old age and passed away on 5 May B.E. 2474 at 9:05 a.m. at Wang Woradis, at the age of 79. Her royal cremation was held at the Royal Crematorium of Wat Thepsirintrawat in B.E. 2475.
Krom Phra Sommarat Sirichet (seated in the left row)
Image from: National Archives of Thailand
To receive exceptional royal favor from King Mongkut
The reign of King Mongkut was a period in which Western culture was being introduced and integrated in order to improve Thai culture and bring it to an international standard comparable to other civilized nations. He therefore graciously encouraged his royal daughters to study modern subjects and the English language. In addition, he provided opportunities for his royal daughters to associate with foreigners, both women and men. In particular, the elder royal daughters were often graciously permitted to accompany him in social engagements, such as receiving foreign guests. An example is Sir Harry St. George Ord, the British Governor of the Straits Settlements in Singapore, who had the opportunity to have an audience with King Mongkut when the King traveled to observe a solar eclipse at Wa Ko Subdistrict, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, in B.E. 2411. He recorded the social appearances of the elder royal daughters as follows.
“The King graciously came out to receive us and introduced us to the ladies of the Inner Court, as well as three princesses of about sixteen years of age: Phra Chao Luk Phra Ong Chao Ying Yaowalak, Phra Chao Luk Thoe Phra Ong Chao Thaksina, and Phra Chao Luk Thoe Phra Ong Chao Somawadi. All of them were of beautiful appearance, though they chewed betel nut; if they had not blackened their teeth according to Siamese custom, they would certainly have been praised as exceptionally beautiful women. Their manners were admirable, and all of them spoke English.” This corresponds with a passage recorded by Mom Chao Ying Poonpisamai Diskul in the book Sing Thi Khaphachao Phop Hen, in which she wrote that Princess Aunt Krom Luang Sommarat once said to her, “I once poured tea to entertain foreigners at Wa Ko,” and then laughed when she saw me laugh, before continuing, “According to Western custom, women must pour the tea, so His Majesty had me go out to receive the foreign guests.”
King Mongkut photographed with Sir Harry Ord
Image from: Collection of Historical Images of the Reign of King Mongkut. Bangkok: Fine Arts Department, 2005. p. 106.
Krom Phra Sommarat Sirichet (middle row, third from the left)
Image from: National Archives of Thailand
Prince Damrong Rajanubhab recounted in his book Khwam Songcham that “There were certain royal children whom King Mongkut selected for personal service as attendants close to His Majesty, all of whom were senior figures, such as King Chulalongkorn and Krom Phra Sommarat Sirichet (Princess Somawadi Srirattanaratchathida), among others.”
An excerpt from the “Chronicle of the Illness and Passing of King Mongkut by Phraya Burusratanaratchaphanlop” records that Princess Somawadi Srirattanaratchathida remained in attendance at His Majesty’s side until the moment of his passing.
- On 23 September B.E. 2411, a royal handwritten letter was bestowed upon Phra Chao Luk Thoe Phra Ong Chao Somawadi Srirattanaratchathida, instructing her to invite senior princes to assemble at the Anantasamakhom Throne Hall: “It is the royal thought that the princes who shall succeed the dynasty in the future should be consulted together by the senior members; whoever among them is deemed capable of safeguarding the kingdom should be chosen as appropriate.”
- On 29 September B.E. 2411, at dusk, a royal command was given for Phra Ong Chao Ying Yaowalak and Phra Ong Chao Somawadi to retrieve the royal sword from the rack beside the royal couch and deliver it to the officials for safekeeping at the Chanthathipphayophas Throne Hall.
- On 30 September B.E. 2411, a royal command was given for Phra Ong Chao Somawadi, together with the officials of the Royal Wardrobe Department, to bring the casket of royal regalia to prepare a large diamond ring valued at 100 chang and a gold rosary set dating back to the reign of King Rama I, to be delivered to Chao Phraya Si Suriyawongse for presentation to Somdet Chao Fa Chulalongkorn at the Suan Kulap Palace.
Thereafter, a royal command was given to Phra Ong Chao Ying Yaowalak and Phra Ong Chao Somawadi to bring the casket of royal rings for the bestowal of diamond and ruby rings upon certain royal sons and daughters.
When His Majesty observed many royal children in attendance, he said, “Mae Nu Yai, Mae Nu Soma, go and search for my rings that are meant for distribution and give them to your younger siblings as appropriate.” The two princesses then searched and obtained diamond, ruby, and emerald rings, distributing one ring to each royal child.
At approximately two watches past midnight (24:00), a royal command was given for Phra Ong Chao Somawadi to present two large diamond rings valued at 100 chang. Upon receiving the rings, His Majesty raised his hands clasped above his forehead and made a solemn dedication as an offering to the Phra Phuttha Butsayarat Chakkraphat Phimon Mani.
From the foregoing, it is evident that Phra Chao Luk Thoe Phra Ong Chao Somawadi Srirattanaratchathida was a royal daughter who received exceptional royal favor from King Mongkut and served him throughout his reign. During the period of His Majesty’s illness until his passing, the royal figure who acted as the intermediary between members of the royal family, ministers, and senior officials awaiting news of His condition was Phra Ong Chao Somawadi Srirattanaratchathida, who devotedly attended and cared for the King at his side until the moment of his passing.
After the end of the reign of King Mongkut, the status of Phra Ong Yai Soma in the new reign changed, as she then held the rank of royal elder aunt, or “aunt,” to all royal children of King Chulalongkorn. She rendered assistance in various affairs, being regarded as a senior figure within the royal family, overseeing and directing the Inner Court in accordance with royal wishes and tradition, and demonstrating great capability in both traditional and new royal duties.
She served as guardian to the royal sons in the reign of King Chulalongkorn
Somdet Phra Borommarachapitulatthibodi Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis
Image from: Illustrated Chronicle of the Royal Sons and Daughters of King Chulalongkorn: Yuwaratchasakulawong. Bangkok: Fine Arts Department, 2009. pp. 44 and 50.
Somdet Phra Mahitalathibet Adulyadej Vikrom, the Prince Father
Image from: Illustrated Chronicle of the Royal Sons and Daughters of King Chulalongkorn: Yuwaratchasakulawong. Bangkok: Fine Arts Department, 2009. pp. 64–65.
From left: Somdet Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis; Somdet Chao Fa Mahidol Adulyadej
Image from: Faces of History, Siamese Royal Court Series. Bangkok: Siam Publishing, 1973. No page number.
Krom Phra Sommarat Sirichet provided guardianship and care to Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis, the first royal son of King Chulalongkorn and Somdet Phra Si Savarindira Borommarachatewi, the Queen Grandmother.
Somdet Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis frequently mentioned “Pa Soma” in the daily journals that he composed. Some excerpts are cited as follows.
On Wednesday, 29 October B.E. 2427, on one occasion Somdet Phra Borommaorassathirat Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis went to play at Ang Kaew, a large basin less than one meter high, constructed of cement with a fountain in the center, located on the lower level between the verandah of the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall and the Sommutidevaraj Upabat Throne Hall. He floated a small boat and played in the basin. Phra Ong Yai Soma, who was serving as his guardian, accompanied him in play. As they played, Somdet Phra Borommaorassathirat recorded in his daily journal: “Pa Soma fell into the Ang Kaew basin. I laughed loudly…” creating great merriment between the royal aunt and her nephew.
On Monday, 10 November B.E. 2427, “I dressed and waited to accompany the royal procession to Saranrom Garden. Their Majesties proceeded to view Saranrom Palace first. It was enjoyable and very beautiful, arranged to receive foreign guests. After viewing everything, we proceeded to the garden. Today many red roses were in bloom and we eagerly picked them. Then we followed the procession to the croquet lawn. My elder brother and younger brother and I played in the fountain; my elder brother sank into the water, and Pa Soma jumped in after him and was completely soaked.”
In addition, according to the royal biography of Somdet Phra Mahitalathibet Adulyadej Vikrom, the Prince Father, who was the seventh royal son of King Chulalongkorn and Somdet Phra Si Savarindira Borommarachatewi, the Queen Grandmother, when he was young he resided with his royal mother within the Grand Palace, with Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet, whom he affectionately addressed as “Pa Soma,” providing close personal care.
Director-General of the Department of the Royal Women Guards
During the reign of King Chulalongkorn, Queen Saovabha Phongsri established the “Department of the Royal Women Guards” to maintain order within the Inner Royal Residence. Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet was appointed as Director-General of the Department of the Royal Women Guards. The department consisted entirely of female officials and had duties similar to those of the metropolitan police, maintaining peace and order. Guard units were stationed at a pavilion located at the Suthathasri Aphirom Throne Hall within the Chakri Maha Prasat group of buildings, with guards posted at various points such as palace gates. These guards were known as “Cha Khon,” and the department also carried out other related duties.
Uniforms of the Royal Women Guards of the Department of the Royal Women Guards
Image from: Collection of Historical Images of the Reign of King Mongkut. Bangkok: Fine Arts Department, 2005. p. 134.
Director-General of the Inner Court
During the reign of King Chulalongkorn, there was a strong royal preference for traditional Thai floral arrangements. At every royal ceremony, ladies of the Inner Court were required to compete in creating floral decorations to be presented for use in the ceremonies. The senior elder sister, Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet, who held the position of Director-General of the Inner Court, was exceptionally skilled in the art of floral arrangement. Her name as a master artisan of floral work has remained renowned to this day. She often directed all members of the Inner Court to create floral decorations for the ceremonial platforms used in royal rites, as well as floral adornments for doors and windows of various throne halls. In addition to requiring the use of traditional styles, she also devised and adapted new forms of floral arrangement. Traditionally, there were designs such as netted garlands and various hanging floral forms attached to wooden frames covered with white cloth, with repetitive patterns following established models, such as Ban Dai Kaew, Phu Klin, Klin Kwam, Klin Takhaeng, and Klin Chin. Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet introduced the use of white wire frames and created floral designs of more elaborate and distinctive forms, such as Raya Plaeng and Phuang Kaew, and transformed the Ban Dai Kaew design into forms resembling the celestial mansion of Phra In and tiered pavilion structures. It can be said that the art of floral craftsmanship advanced significantly as a result.
Raya Plaeng and Phuang Kaew
Image from: Maneerat Chanthanaphalin. Thai Hanging Ornaments: Fresh Flowers. Bangkok: Amarin Printing, 1985. p. 25.
Phra Chao Boromwongse Ther Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet was granted land at Ratchaburana Subdistrict on 6 December R.S. 123, corresponding to B.E. 2447. The land was plot number 108, title deed number 1286, with an area of 256 rai, 1 ngan, and 96 square wah.
In November B.E. 2502, a project to establish a new technical college to meet the state’s demand for technical personnel was approved. During the survey to find a suitable site for the college, the Director-General (Sanun Sumitr) found that land belonging to the Crown Property Bureau at Bang Mod Subdistrict, of which the Department of Vocational Education had leased 32 rai, had already been developed with standard two-story wooden buildings comprising 14 classrooms, completed since B.E. 2501, together with a headmaster’s residence and half of a cafeteria building. Although there were as yet no roads, electricity, water supply, or telephone services, the buildings were ready for immediate use. He therefore proposed this site as the location of the new college, to be named “Thonburi Technical College.” The Ministry of Education officially announced the establishment of Thonburi Technical College on 4 February B.E. 2503 under the Department of Vocational Education. During the preparations to open in time for the academic term, Ajarn Prapha Prajaksubhaniti, Director of Thonburi Technical College, recognized that an area of only 32 rai would be insufficient for future development and therefore proposed to the Department of Vocational Education an expansion of the campus by an additional 99 rai, 2 ngan, and 79 square wah. This parcel of land had originally belonged to Phra Chao Boromwongse Ther Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet.
Copy of land title deed no. 108, title deed no. 1286, Ratchaburana Subdistrict
Source: Crown Property Bureau
The area recorded in the title deed currently occupied and utilized by King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi is 134 rai, 2 ngan, and 36 square wah
Source: King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Thonburi. King Mongkut. Bangkok: The Institute, 1994. p. 211.
King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi was established from Thonburi Technical College and is located on land plot no. 108, title deed no. 1286, with an area of 134 rai, 2 ngan, and 36 square wah, belonging to the Crown Property Bureau, which received the transfer and change of ownership name from the original landowner, Krom Luang Sommarat Sirichet. She passed away on 5 May B.E. 2474 without descendants. Subsequently, the Crown Property Bureau officially received the transfer and change of ownership of the land on 17 October B.E. 2523. The remaining portion of the land outside the university area is used as the site of the Chaloem Phra Kiat Youth Center and the Bangkok Metropolitan Vocational Training School (Athon Sangkawattana).
Yesterday… Thonburi Technical College
Image from: Information Resource Center
