HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS GALYANI VADHANA KROM LUANG NARADHIWAS RAJANAGARINDRA 1923-2008

 
Members of the Siam Society under Royal Patronage will have learnt with great sadness of the passing on 2 January 2008 of the Society’s Vice-Patron and Honorary President since 1985. Her Royal Highness succumbed after a long battle against cancer at Siriraj Hospital, to which she was admitted in June 2007.
 
Her Royal Highness was unfailing in her support of the Society and its activities. She graciously accepted every invitation to its functions, and showed a sincere and lively concern with regards to its activities. Her counsel will be sorely missed.  Whether it was to preside over a formal re-dedication, to which Her Royal Highness travelled by helicopter, of Wat Sra Bua Kaew in Amphur Nong Song Hong, Khon Kaen province, which had been restored by the Siam Society, or to examine an exhibition in the Society’s home of old books on Siam from M. L. Manich Jumsai’s collection, she showed a keen interest in everything, and, good educator that she was, a constant readiness to learn more. 
 
Her Royal Highness presided in person at the Siam Society debate in 1988 on the controversy about the Ramkhamhaeng inscription, defending, as the then president of the Society noted, “the spirit of intellectual freedom so crucial to true scholarship.”
 
Her Royal Highness had an amazing memory for names, and carefully read everything sent to her from the Society. She combined simplicity with a royal touch, and had a keen sense of humour. The preface to the volume of articles dedicated to Her Royal Highness, published by the Society on the occasion of her 80th birthday in 2003, rightly noted, “she is indeed an exemplar of the Siam Society ideal ‘Knowledge Gives Rise to Friendship’.”
 
Many members, and particularly many presidents of the Society, will have fond memories of Her Royal Highness, and will recall occasions with her with affection. She will be greatly missed.