Suddha Dibyaratana


Suddha Dibyaratana, Princess of Rattanakosin, was the Princess of Siam. She was a member of the Siamese royal family. She was given the highest rank of any daughter of Chulalongkorn, King Rama V of Siam.
Her mother was Queen Sukhumala Marasri, fourth Queen Consort and half-sister of King Chulalongkorn. She had a younger brother, Paribatra Sukhumbandhu, the Prince of Nakhon Sawan. Her full given name was Suddha Dibyaratana Sukhumkhattiya Galyavadi. She was the only daughter given the rank of Krommaluang, the 3rd level of the Krom ranks.

Royal duties

She was one of the executive vice-presidents of the Red Unalom Society, the major humanitarian organization, founded by Queen Savang Vadhana as a maternal patron. Queen Saovabha Phongsri was appointed the first president, and Than Pu Ying Plien Phasakoravongs acted as the society secretary. Suddha Dibyaratana worked as the executive vice president with the other princesses;
When she turned 40 years old in 1917, Suddha Dibyaratana gave 200,000 bahts to the Thai Red Cross Society, to build Chulalongkorn Hospital, to honor her father. When the hospital was completed, she named the building Suddhathip 2463. At present, the Chulalongkorn Hospital uses this building as the Nursing College.

Later life

After her father's death in 1910, she moved from her own residence in the Grand Palace to live with her mother, Queen Sukhumala Marasri and her younger brother, Paribatra Sukhumbandhu, the Prince of Nakhon Sawan. In later life, Princess Suddha Dibyaratana suffered from many ailments, including asthma. She died of pulmonary tuberculosis on 2 January 1922 at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok.

Royal decorations