Thailand: Princess Consort Dara Rasmi (1873 – 1933), official portrait as consort of King Chulalongkorn, early 20th century when she lived at Suan Farang Kangsai in Dusit Park

Princess Dara Rasmi (August 26, 1873 – December 9, 1933), was the Princess of Chiang Mai and Siam (later Thailand) and the daughter of King Inthawichayanon and Queen Thipkraisorn Rajadewi of Chang Mai, a scion of the Chao Chet Ton Dynasty. She was one of the princess consorts of Chulalongkorn, King Rama V of Siam and gave birth to one daughter by King Chulalongkorn, Princess Vimolnaka Nabisi.

In 1886, she left Chiang Mai to enter the Grand Palace in Bangkok, where she was given the title Chao Chom Dara Rasami of the Chakri Dynasty. While she lived in the Grand Palace, Dara Rasami and the ladies in her entourage were ribbed and called 'Lao ladies', as well as teased that they smelled of fermented fish. Despite these difficulties, Dara Rasami and her entourage always wore Chiang Mai style textiles for their skirts (known as pha sin) with their long hair pulled up into a bun on the back of the head, in contrast to the clothing and hairstyles of the Siamese women.

After King Chulalongkorn died in 1910, Dara Rasmi continued to live in Dusit Palace until 1914, when she asked for permission from King Vajiravudh to return to Chiang Mai to retire. The King granted her permission, and she returned to Chiang Mai on 22 January 1914.

Princess Dara Rasmi continued with her royal duties for the people of Lanna. In later life, she lived in the Darabhirom Palace that King Vajiravudh built for her and her official attendants. On 30 June 1933, an old lung ailment recurred. Both Western and Thai doctors tried to cure her, but no one succeeded. Her half brother, King Chao Keo Naowarat moved her into his palace at Khum Rin Keaw for treatment, but on 9 December 1933, she died there peacefully at the age of 60.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Credit:

Pictures From History

Theme:

SIAMESE MONARCHS