Lakshamilavan, also spelled Lakshami Lavan ( th, ลักษมีลาวัณ; ; 3 July 1899 – 29 August 1961), née Princess Wanphimon Worawan ( th, วรรณพิมล วรวรรณ), was a Thai writer and a member of the

Thai royal family The Chakri dynasty ( th, ราชวงศ์ จักรี, , , ) is the current reigning dynasty of the Kingdom of Thailand, the head of the house is the king, who is head of state. The family has ruled Thailand since the founding of the ...

. She was a royal consort of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) of

Siam Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...

. Her father was Worawannakon, Prince Narathip Praphanphong, a well-accepted poet and artist of the day.

Early life and marriage

Princess Lakshamilavan was born at the Worawan Palace, on 3 July 1899, the only daughter of Worawannakon, Prince Narathip Praphanphong and ''Mom Luang'' (The Honourable) Tat Montrikul, and best known in the palace by her nickname of "Tew" ( th, ติ๋ว; ). Her elder half-sister, Princess Vallabha Devi (also spelled Warnrabhathewee), ex-fiancée of

King Vajiravudh Vajiravudh ( th, วชิราวุธ, , 1 January 188126 November 1925) was the sixth monarch of Siam under the Chakri dynasty as Rama VI. He ruled from 23 October 1910 until his death in 1925. King Vajiravudh is best known for his effort ...

. She was initially named ''Wanphimon'' (), and changed to ''Lakshamilavan'' (), in 1920 by upon order of King Vajiravudh. and the same year, Princess Vallabha Devi, her half-sister engaged to King Vajiravudh. However, four months later in 1921, Vajiravudh nullified the engagement and pursued Princess Vallabha's sister, Princess Lakshamilavan, whom he engaged, but the marriage was never held and the couple then separated, because King Vajiravudh married Prueng Sucharitakul on 27 October 1921. On 27 August 1922, the king elevated her to ''Princess Consort'' (), to console her. Later Lakshamilavan separated her residence from her husband and her family,Phlainoi, Sombat. ''Phraborommarachini lae chaochommanda haeng ratchasamnaksayam'' ueen and royal concubines of Siamese court Bangkok : Than Books, 2011, p. 194 she always said "I don't care".

Life after the king's death

After the king's death in 1925, she received an inheritance. She began writing novels under pen name, ''Patthama'' (), ''Wanphimon'' () and ''Phra Nang Thoe Lakshamilavan'' (). After

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, she moved to Lakshami Vilas Villa to spend time writing novels.

Assassination

On the evening of 29 August 1961, Lakshamilavan was struck murdered by two men. Sa-ngiam "Saeng" Homchan and Charoen Kanchanaphai, were former Lakshami's gardeners, endeavoring to steal the wealth left to her by the king, repeatedly struck her across the head using a crowbar, while she was gardening. Lakshami's dead body was found near a garage at the villa five days after the attack. The murderer attempted to pawn the decorations he had stolen from the princess, unaware of the items' special value. The pawnshop owner, having recognized the valuables as royal property, informed the police.

Writings

* ''Yua Rak'' (ยั่วรัก) * ''Chiwit Wam'' (ชีวิตหวาม) * ''Sueam Siang Sap'' (เสื่อมเสียงสาป) * ''Rak Rangkae'' (รักรังแก) * ''Sonthe Saneha'' (สนเท่ห์สเน่หา) * ''Chok Chueam Chiwit'' (โชคเชื่อมชีวิต) * ''Ruean Chai Thi Rai Kha'' (เรือนใจที่ไร้ค่า) * ''Phai Rak Khong Chanchala'' (ภัยรักของจันจลา)

Ancestry

References

* {{Authority control 1899 births 1961 deaths 19th-century Thai women 19th-century Chakri dynasty 20th-century Thai women 20th-century Chakri dynasty Thai princesses consort Thai female Mom Chao Thai translators Murdered royalty Assassinated Thai people Dames Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao Deaths by blade weapons Vorawan family Thai female Phra Ong Chao 20th-century translators