| Sithiporn Kridakara | |||||
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| Born | (1883-04-11)11 April 1883 Bangkok,Siam | ||||
| Died | 22 June 1971(1971-06-22) (aged 88) Bangkok, Thailand | ||||
| Spouse | Thip Kridakorn na Ayudhya Sriphromma Kridakorn na Ayudhya | ||||
| Issue | Amnuyporn Kridakorn Pensri Kridakorn Anuporn Kridakorn | ||||
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| House | Kritakara family(Chakri Dynasty) | ||||
| Father | Krida Bhinihan, the Prince Naretraworit | ||||
| Mother | Suphab Kridakorn | ||||
| Occupation | Public servant, agriculturist | ||||
| Alma mater | Harrow and the City and Guild's Technical College (now part ofUniversity of London | ||||
Prince Sithiporn Kridakara (Thai: หม่อมเจ้าสิทธิพร กฤดากร; April 11, 1883 – June 22, 1971) is known asThailand'sFarmer Prince[1] who was awarded the 1967Ramon Magsaysay Award forPublic service for his efforts in the development of Thaiagriculture. While serving as chairman of theInternational Rice Commission, he was instrumental for the establishment of theInternational Rice Research Institute inLos Baños, Laguna in thePhilippines.
Sithiporn was born on April 11, 1883, and studied inEngland for most of his early years. At 18, while studyingmechanical engineering at City and Guild's Technical College, he was summoned back to his home country to help manage the family's lime-burning business.
At 21, he married a woman who soon died but not without bearing a son. His second wife was Mom Sriphromma, daughter of the last hereditary chief of Nan. Despite his royal blood as fourth son of His Royal Highness Krida Bhinihan, the Prince Naretraworit, grandson of King Mongkut, and nephew of King Chulalongkorn, he developed a profound interest in agriculture.[1][2] This interest came about due to his wife's fragile health which required the fresh air and open spaces of the countryside.[1]
Sithiporn successfully propagated theNicholson Yellow Dent variety ofcorn which he encouraged other farmers to plant for animal feed. Starting 1950 when rice was not favorable to land conditions, corn was planted instead. By the 1980s, corn became one of Thailand's major exports.[3] He was also instrumental in the establishment of an egg producers' association which made Thailand an exporter of eggs.[1]
When theUnited Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) established theInternational Rice Commission in 1949, Sithiporn was elected as chairman. His suggestion for a research center for rice production during one of the meetings with theRockefeller Foundation resulted in the establishment of theInternational Rice Research Institute inLos Baños, Laguna in thePhilippines.
The generations are numbered from the establishment of theChakri dynasty from 1782 | ||||||||||
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| Rama II |
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| Rama III |
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| Rama IV |
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| Rama V | ||||||||||
| Rama VI |
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| Rama VII |
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| Rama VIII |
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| Rama IX |
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| Rama X |
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(  )*Became king**Appointed Viceroy ***Appointed Deputy Viceroy (  )^Appointed Crown PrinceX was degraded from royalty | ||||||||||
