Paribatra Sukhumbandhu

Marshal-Admiral Paribatra Sukhumbandhu, Prince of Nakhon Sawan (RTGSBoriphat Sukhumphan; Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าบรมวงศ์เธอ เจ้าฟ้าบริพัตรสุขุมพันธุ์ กรมพระนครสวรรค์วรพินิต) (1881–1944), was a highly influential Thai military officer and government minister in the early 20th century during the last years of the absolute monarchy. He served as Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Army, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy, Naval Minister, Army Minister, Defense Minister, Interior Minister, and as a Privy Counsellor to both King Vajiravudh and King Prajadhipok.

Paribatra Sukhumbandhu
Prince of Nakhon Sawan
Prince Paribatra, c. 1900s
Commander of the Navy Department
In office
24 February 1903 – 10 December 1910
Preceded byBhanurangsi Savangwongse
Succeeded byHimself as Minister
Minister of the Royal Siamese Navy
In office
11 December 1910 – 18 June 1920
Preceded byHimself as Commander
Succeeded byBhanurangsi Savangwongse (as Director-General)
Minister of Defence
In office
24 August 1926 – 31 March 1928
Preceded byYaem na Nakhon
Succeeded byBoworadet Kridakorn
Minister of Interior
In office
1 April 1928 – 24 June 1932
Preceded byYugala Dighambara
Succeeded byChit Sunthornvon [th]
Born(1881-06-29)29 June 1881
Bangkok, Siam
Died18 January 1944(1944-01-18) (aged 62)
Bandung, Japanese-occupied Dutch East Indies
Spouse
  • Prasongsom Jayanta
  • Sombandh Palakawong
Issue10 sons and daughters, including:
HouseParibatra (Chakri dynasty)
FatherChulalongkorn (Rama V)
MotherSukhumala Marasri
SignatureParibatra Sukhumbandhu's signature
Military career
AllegianceKingdom of Siam
Service / branch
Rank

Biography

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Prince Paribatra was the 33rd child (and 13th son) of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) by Queen Sukhumala Marasri. He joined his father for a journey to Europe in 1897, following which he entered the Prussian Cadet Corps to study at the Prussian Military academy at Groß-Lichterfelde.

Following his return to Siam, his half brother King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) appointed him Commander of the Royal Thai Navy, Minister of Marine and Minister of the Army. During the reign of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), he was appointed Minister of Interior and was made member of the Supreme Council of the State of Siam, responsible for state affairs.

Prince Paribatra's considerable influence in the Siamese government was deemed as a threat by the Khana Ratsadon which organized the 1932 coup that ended the absolute monarchy in Siam. As a consequence, he was exiled from the kingdom to Bandung, Dutch East Indies, which was then under the Dutch administration. He died in 1944 while in exile, in Japanese-controlled Indonesia. His remains were repatriated by a Royal commission (a member of which was Prince Arjuna Suasti) in 1948.

A half-brother to two Thai kings, Prince Paribatra fathered eight children by his royal wife, Mom Chao (HSH Princess) Prasongsom Paribatra (Chaiyan). Two were sons, but only one, Chumbhotbongs Paribatra, lived to adulthood. Prince Paribatra also had a son with a commoner wife, Mom Somphan Paribatra na Ayudhaya (Palakawong), Prince Sukhumabhinanda - father of Mom Ratchawong Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the former governor of Bangkok.

Prince Paribatra's principal Bangkok residence until his forced exile in 1932 was the neo-baroque styled Bang Khun Prom Palace, constructed by architects Mario Tamagno and Karl Döhring. It later became the headquarters and subsequently museum of the Bank of Thailand.

Ancestry

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See also

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References

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  • Paul M. Handley, "The King Never Smiles" Yale University Press: 2006, ISBN 0-300-10682-3
  • http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~royalty/thailand/i535.htm
Paribatra Sukhumbandhu
House of Paribatra
Cadet branch of the House of Chakri
Born: 29 June 1881 Died: 18 January 1944
Regnal titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Prajadhipok
Regent of Siam
1932
Vacant
Title next held by
Narisara Nuwattiwong
Political offices
Vacant
Title last held by
Bodindechanuchit
Minister of Defence
1926–1928
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Interior
1928–1932
Vacant
Title next held by
Jaseanyabodi Sriboridan
Assembly seats
Preceded by President of the Supreme Council of State
acting
1928–1932
Dissolved the Council
Military offices
Preceded by Commander of the Royal Siamese Navy Department
1903–1910
Succeeded by
Himself
as Minister of the Royal Siamese Navy
Preceded by
Himself
as Commander of the Royal Siamese Navy Department
Minister of the Royal Siamese Navy
1910–1920
Vacant
Title next held by
Abhakara Kiartivongse
Vacant
Title last held by
Bodindechanuchit
Minister of War
1926–1928
Succeeded by
Non-profit organization positions
Vacant
Title last held by
Chakrabongse Bhuvanath
Vice President of the Siamese Red Cross Society
1920–1932
Succeeded by
Chaophraya Phichaiyat