
The significant
contributions of Her Royal Highness
Princess Sai Savali Bhirom, Krom Phra
Sutthasininat Piyamaharajpadiwarada, to
Thai society, particularly for homeless
and orphaned children, included her
pioneering establishment of the first
children's home in Thailand in 1890.
Located in Suan Mali, it was named
"Princess Sai Savali Bhirom's
Children's Home" by King
Chulalongkorn. The home provided
assistance to orphaned and impoverished
children, equipping them with good
conduct and skills for future
employment. She cared for boys and girls
from birth until the age of 11 for girls
and 13 for boys. These children received
excellent care, including food,
clothing, medical care, and lodging,
free of charge for their guardians. Once
they reached a suitable age for
employment, the children were returned
to their guardians. This undertaking
forms the foundation of the modern-day
Department of Public
Welfare.
Regarding the training
in manners and the qualities of a
refined lady, Her Royal Highness
Princess Sai Savali Bhirom taught and
encouraged others to take an interest in
these aspects. And she diligently
trained them in the skills and qualities
of a lady, strictly adhering to rules
and regulations and meticulous in
etiquette. She provided them with
education in various subjects and
crafts, along with moral training
befitting a true lady.
It became
renowned in that era that daughters who
entered the household of Princess Vimada
were trained to be fully equipped with
the qualities of a lady. For this
reason, many members of the royal
family, high-ranking officials, and
those of noble birth at that time
preferred to send their daughters to be
nurtured and supported by her. Even
high-ranking members of the royal
family, such as His Royal Highness
Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, sent two of
his daughters to be cared for and
educated by Princess Vimada.
As
for Princess Uthongkhetkhatiya Nari,
although she did not attend school...
Although the King did not favor his
daughters studying outside the Grand
Palace, he sought out both Thai and
foreign tutors to educate all of them.
Each of them was familiar with foreign
languages and possessed a high level of
proficiency in the Thai language.
Several princesses served as royal
secretaries to King Chulalongkorn.
During his last trip to Europe, he
consistently sent letters to Princess
Uthong, which were compiled into two
large books titled "Far from
Home," a valuable work of study.
Princess Uthong was very diligent and
encouraged her children to read and
engage in handicrafts, keeping them
engaged. She also taught them to read
Pali correctly. She was deeply
interested in education; some of her
ladies-in-waiting were sent to study
nursing.
Furthermore, she
established a primary school within the
grounds of Princess Malinee
Nopadara's residence. This school,
named "Niphakar School,"
provided education to her
ladies-in-waiting, following the same
principles as a children's home.
Parents did not have to pay for tuition,
food, school supplies, etc. She taught
until the first graduating class of
secondary school. She was also very
strict about Thai language studies,
especially the pronunciation of the
letters “r” and
“l,” consonant clusters, and
the correct use of conjunctions and
prepositions. For English, she hired a
half-Western woman named Miss Archer.
After Miss Archer married and went
abroad, she hired a native English
speaker, Miss Pope. Upon reaching the
sixth grade, she selected bright
students to take an entrance exam at
Saipanya School. If they passed, she
would give them pins as
prizes.
In the evening, she would
have all the young ladies-in-waiting
line up in front of her to chant
Sarabhanja prayers. She would sit on a
stool while the ladies-in-waiting stood
in orderly lines facing her. This was a
method of nurturing their minds by
introducing them to Buddhism and
teaching them correct Thai
pronunciation.
Her Royal Highness
was very strict about verbal discipline.
As for himself, there is no record of
him ever mocking or deceiving anyone,
never being sarcastic, never spouting
nonsensical or vulgar language. He
firmly adhered to the Ten Precepts of
Conduct. He was also very strict about
the use of language by others. For
example, speaking about things that were
numerous or countless, or talking
excessively, was forbidden. At that
time, Chulalongkorn Hospital had already
been established. If he heard anyone
simply refer to it as
"Chulalongkorn Hospital," he
would be immediately indignant. Everyone
had to say "Chulalongkorn
Hospital." When asked about any
place, the full name of the location had
to be given.