HRH Prince Damrong Rajanubhab (Thai including his full title: สมเด็จพระเจ้าบรมวงศ์เธอ กรมพระยาดำรงราชานุภาพ) (June 21, 1862 – December 1, 1943) was the founder of the modern Thai education system as well as the modern provincial administration. He was also a self-taught historian, and one of the most influential intellectuals of his time. June 21 is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 193 days remaining. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1943 is a common year starting on Friday. ...

Born as Phra Ong Chao Disuankumaan (พระองค์เจ้าดิศวรกุมาร - Prince Disuankumaan) a son of King Mongkut with a lesser wife Choom, he initially learned Thai and Pali from private tutors, and English at the Royal School with Mr. Francis George Patterson. At the age of 14, he received his formal education in a special palace school created by his half-brother, king Chulalongkorn. He was given posts in the royal administration at an early age, becoming the commander of the Royal Pages' Bodyguard Regiment in 1880 at age 18, and after several years working in building army-schools as well as modernizing the army in general he became the deputy commander-in-chief of the army in 1887. At the same time he was chosen by the king to become the minister of education in his provisional cabinet. However when king Chulalongkorn began his administrative reform programme in 1892, Prince Damrong was chosen to lead the Ministry of the North (Mahatthai), which was converted into the ministry of the interior in 1894. King Mongkut (Rama IV), (October 18, 1804 – October 18, 1868) was king of Thailand from 1851 to 1868. ... . Pāli (ISO 639-1: pi; ISO 639-2: pli) is a Middle Indo-Aryan dialect or prakrit. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... His Majesty King Rama V of Siam, with his son, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajirunnahis (portrait in National History Museum, Bangkok) King Chulalongkorn the Great or Rama V (royal name: Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua; Thai script: พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) (September 20, 1853 - October 23, 1910) was the fifth king of the Chakri dynasty... 1892 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1894 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

In his time as minister he completed overhauled the provincial administration. Many minor provinces were merged into larger ones, the provincial governor lost most of its autonomy when it was converted into a post appointed and paid by the ministry, and a new administrative division, the monthon (circle) covering several provinces, was created. Also the formal education of administrative staff was introduced. Prince Damrong was among the most important advisors of the king, and considered second only to him in power. Thailand is divided into 76 provinces (Thai: จังหวัด, changwat, singular and plural), which are grouped into 5 groups of provinces - sometimes the East and Central are grouped together. ... A monthon (English circle, Thai มณฑล) was a subdivision of Thailand in the beginning of the 20th century. ...

After the death of king Chulalongkorn in 1910, the relationship with his successor Vajiravudh was less smooth. Damrong finally resigned in 1915 from his post at the ministry, officially due to health problems, as otherwise the resignation would have looked like an affront against the absolute monarch. 1910 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Statue of His Majesty King Rama VI of Siam in Lumphini Park, central Bangkok Vajiravudh (January 1, 1880 – November 25, 1925) (also known as Rama VI, reigning title Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua; Thai-script พระบาทสมเด็จพระมงกุฎเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) was King of Siam (now Thailand) from 1910 until his death. ... 1915 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Absolute monarchy is an idealized form of government, a monarchy where the ruler has the power to rule his or her country and citizens freely with no laws or legally-organized direct opposition telling him or her what to do, although some religious authority may be able to discourage the...

During the brief reign of King Prajadhipok, the prince proposed that the King founded the Royal Institute, mainly to look after the National Library and the museums. He became the first President of the Royal Institute. He was given the title Somdej Phrachao Boromawongse Ther Kromaphraya Damrong Rajanubhab by King Prajadhipok in recognition to his works. This became the name by which he was better known. His Majesty King Rama VII of Thailand His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII, royal name พระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua) (November 8, 1893 - May 30, 1941) was the seventh king of the Chakri dynasty. ...

In the following years Damrong worked as a self-educated historian, as well as writing books on Thai literature, culture and arts. Out of his works grew the National Library as well as the National Museum. The National Museum in Thailand is the main museum on the history of the Thai culture. ...

During the coup d'etat of 1932 which ended the absolute monarchy in Thailand he fled to Penang (Malaysia). 1942 he returned to Bangkok, where he died one year later. A coup détat, or simply a coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, usually done by a small group that just replaces the top power figures. ... 1932 is a leap year starting on a Friday. ... State motto: Penang Leads Capital George Town Governor Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon Area 1,056 km2 Population  - Est year 2000 1,225,501 State anthem Pulau Pinang State Anthem Penang (Malay: Pulau Pinang, Simplified Chinese: 槟城, Malay (Jawi script): بينانج) is a Malaysian state located...

Prince Damrong is credited as the father of Thai history, education system, health system (the ministry of health was originally a department of the ministry of interior) and provincial administration. On his 100th birthday in 1962 he became the first Thai to be included in the UNESCO list of the world's most distinguished persons. 1962 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... UNESCO logo The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, commonly known as UNESCO, is a specialized agency of the United Nations system established in 1946. ...

His descendants use the surname Disakul.

Writings

Prince Damrong wrote countless books and articles, of which only a few are available in English translation.

• Our Wars with the Burmese: Thai-Burmese Conflict 1539-1767, ISBN 9747534584
• Journey through Burma in 1936: A View of the Culture, History and Institutions, ISBN 9748358852

References

• Biography from the Encyclopedia of Asian History
• Tej Bunnag, The Provincial Administration of Siam 1892-1915, ISBN 0195803434