Devan Udayawongse, the Prince Devawongse Varoprakar (; 27 November 1858 – 28 June 1923) was a Siamese prince and diplomat during the reigns of

Rama V Chulalongkorn (20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910), posthumously honoured as King Chulalongkorn the Great, was the fifth Monarchy of Thailand, king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama V. Chulalongkorn's reign from 1868 until his ...

and Rama VI. Born as son of King

Mongkut Mongkut (18 October 18041 October 1868) was the fourth Monarchy of Thailand, king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama IV. He reigned from 1851 until his death in 1868. The reign of Mongkut was marked by significant modernization ini ...

and Princess Consort Piam with the given name Prince Devan Udayawongse (เทวัญอุไทยวงศ์; ), he had the same parents as the three queens of King

Chulalongkorn Chulalongkorn (20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910), posthumously honoured as King Chulalongkorn the Great, was the fifth king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama V. Chulalongkorn's reign from 1868 until his death in 1910 was cha ...

, Queen Sunandha Kumariratana, Queen

Savang Vadhana Sri Savarindira (; , 10 September 1862 – 17 December 1955), also known as Savang Vadhana (; ). She was a half-sister and queen of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). After her first grandson's accession to power in 1935, she became known as Her Ma ...

and Queen Saovabha Bhongsi. Prince Devawongse Varoprakar was the 42nd child of King Mongkut's 82 children. He is the founder of the House of Devakula (ราชสกุลเทวกุล) and was also known for naming the

solar calendar A solar calendar is a calendar whose dates indicates the season or almost equivalently the apparent position of the Sun relative to the stars. The Gregorian calendar, widely accepted as a standard in the world, is an example of a solar calendar ...

months after the zodiac signs.

Life

Prince Devavongse Varoprakar was born in Bangkok's Grand Palace on 27 November 1858 to King

, Rama IV of Siam and Princess Consort Piyamavadi (Piam Sucharitakul). He was their second child and their second son of the total 6 children which were # Prince Unakan Ananta Norajaya # Prince Devan Udayawongse (Later Prince Devawongse Varoprakar) # Princess Sunandha Kumariratana (Later Queen Sunandha Kumariratana) # Princess Savang Vadhana (Later Queen Sri Savarindira, the Queen Grandmother) # Princess Saovabha Bongsi (Later Queen Sri Bajarindra, the Queen Mother) # Prince Svasti Sobhana (Later Prince Svastivatana Visishta). As a child, he had studied both Thai literature then ordained, and later studied English course in the Grand Palace. He first worked in the royal court of King

, Rama V of Siam as an officer in the royal audit office, at the age of 17. He was promoted to be the King's private secretary in the foreign affairs, then be the King's Principal Secretary, as well the director of the comptroller general. Moreover, he was bestowed the royal nobility title of Krom Muean Devawongse Varoprakar in 1881. At the age of 27, when Chao Phraya Phanuwongse Mahakosa Thobodi (Tuam Bunnag) had resigned, he was promoted to be the Minister of Foreign Affairs in which role he started to establish modern diplomatic methods and policies. He was known by foreign diplomats and officials as "Prince Dewan of Siam". As the Siamese King's delegate to the

Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria The Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria was celebrated on 20 and 21 June 1887 to mark the Golden jubilee, 50th anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession on 20 June 1837. It was celebrated with a National service of thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Serv ...

, he had visited many countries and observed the administrative patterns and methods of each country. As a result, the Siamese royal court was evolved since then as the modern royal administrative system was set with 12 formal ministries in 1892. In the international relation and politics, he had played the major role in several incidents during that time including all the treaties with many countries and the French Indochina-Siamese conflict; as well the domestic issues and issues involving the royal court. He had asked the King's permission to settle the permanent office of the ministry outside his residence, and the permanent embassies abroad, first in London then Paris and more. Later, he was bestowed the royal title of Krom Luang Devawongse Varoprakar in 1886. King Rama V informally called Prince Devan as his "right hand". During the reign of King

Vajiravudh Vajiravudh (1 January 188126 November 1925) was the sixth Monarchy of Thailand, king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama VI. He reigned from 1910 until his death in 1925. King Vajiravudh is best known for his efforts to create and pro ...

, Rama VI of Siam, who was the child of his maternal younger sister, Queen Sri Bajarindra, the Queen Mother, he was delegated to work as the Head of the King's administration (

Prime Minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...

) and was awarded the title of Krom Phra Devawongse Varoprakar, in 1911. He was also delegated many positions of the royal court of King Rama VI such as the chairman of the minister council. Later in 1916 he was one of few princes of Siam who was not born to the Queen but bestowed the royal title of Somdet Krom Phraya Devawongse Varoprakar, of which the rank of Somdet Krom Phraya is the highest rank for the prince who works in the Siamese royal court and normally preserved for Chao Fa (children born to the Queen) or Prince Supreme Patriarch only. At the age of 64 Prince Devawongse died due to

sepsis Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. This initial stage of sepsis is followed by suppression of the immune system. Common signs and s ...

from a carbuncle (abscess), complicated by his diabetes, at Devavesma palace, his residence, on 28 June 1923. His funeral was held in his residence, and the royal cremation ceremony, presided over by King Rama VI, who mourned him with traditional all-white dress, was held at Sanam Luang .

Institute of Foreign Affairs

The Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) named after the former minister Devawongse Varoprakar and is supervised by the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the ministry of foreign affairs (abbreviated as MFA or MOFA) is the highest government department exclusively or primarily responsible for the state's foreign policy and relations, diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral r ...

Ancestors

External links

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand

Thammasat University Digital Collection
{{DEFAULTSORT:Devawongse Varoprakar Thai male Phra Ong Chao Children of Mongkut Ministers of foreign affairs of Thailand 19th-century Chakri dynasty 20th-century Chakri dynasty Knights Grand Cordon of the Order of Chula Chom Klao Knights of the Ratana Varabhorn Order of Merit Vajira Mala Order Recipients of the Dushdi Mala Medal, Pin of Arts and Science Commanders Grand Cross of the Order of Vasa Members of the Privy Council of Thailand 1858 births 1923 deaths Sons of kings