Benbadhanabongse
Benbadhanabongse, Prince of Phichai (; ; 13 September 1884 – 11 November 1909) was a Prince of Siam, a member of the Siamese (later Thailand) royal family. He originated the House of Benbadhana (). He was a son of Chulalongkorn, King Rama V of Siam. Early life and work. Prince Benbadhanabongse was born on 13 September 1882, in the compound of the Grand Palace, Bangkok. He was the 38th child of King Chulalongkorn, and his mother was , daughter of and Dame (Thanpuying) Hunn Phenkul. He had an elder sister, Princess Chudharatana Rajakumari. He studied agricultural studies in the United Kingdom in 1903, while  he was only 19 years old. After graduating, he began working as the secretary officer in the Ministry of Education. In 1902, King Chulalongkorn promoted the country's silk-silverware and weaving industry. He hired Dr. Kametaro Toyama from the University of Tokyo to teach the Japanese practice of silk and weaving to Siamese students. King Chulalongkorn established a silk-weaving factory in the sub-district of Sala-Daeng, under the control of the Ministry of Education. Later on 30 September 1903, the ministry included the productive division, the division of animal husbandry, and the silk-weaving pillow station, created  as the "Department of Silk Technicians". Prince Benbadhanabongse became the first director of the department. The main responsibility of the Department of Silk Technicians the School of Sericulture, which was established in November 1903 at Dusit Palace. On 16 January 1904, there was another School of Sericulture in Pathum Wan, for the purpose of creating a specialist research and training of Thai employees. Later this school developed into the current Kasetsart University. Prince Benbadhanabongse was given the royal title from his father as "Kromma Muen Phichai Mahintharodom", or translated as "The Prince of Phichai" on 2 October 1904. He was  given the rank of "Kromma Meun", the fifth level of the "Krom" ranks. Personal life. Prince Benbadhanabopngse was interested in Thai music instruments, being able to play almost every type of instrument. He created the Thai classical music band "Prince Ben's band". After returning from the United Kingdom, he visited Chiang Mai. He met the Chiang Mai princess , daughter of Prince Sambandhavongse Dharmalanka of Chiang Mai and Princess Ghamyon of Lamphun, and they began a relationship. Prince Benbadhanabopngse requested the governor of Chiang Mai to negotiate with Prince Sambandhavongse about a marriage, but the proposal was rejected by Prince  Sambandhavongse. He began composing the song called "" in loving memory to his loved one. He performed this song whenever he missed the Princess of Chiang Mai. Later King Chulalongkorn prepared the marriage between the Prince and Princess Vanna Vilaya Kritakara, daughter of on 30 June 1903. The couple had two children; Prince Benbadhanabongse died on 11 November 1909, at the age of 27.