Born as Phra Ong Chao Tisavarakumarn (Prince Tisavarakumarn), Tisavarakumarn Damrong Rajanubhab was the son of King Mongkut with Consort Chum, a lesser royal wife. At the age of 14, he received his formal education in a palace school created by his half-brother, King Chulalongkorn. At age 18 he become the commander of the Royal Guards Regiment, and after seven years working in modernizing the army he was appointed as Grand-officer (commander-in-chief).
At the same time he was chosen to become the Minister of Education, but when King Chulalongkorn began his administrative reform in 1892, was chosen to lead the Ministry of the North, which was converted into the Ministry of the Interior in 1894. In his time as minister, he completely overhauled the provincial administration. After the death of King Chulalongkorn in 1910, the relationship with his successor King Vajiravudh was less smooth, finally the prince resigning in 1915.
During the reign of King Prajadhipok, the prince proposed that the king founded the Royal Institute, and he became its first President. In recognition to his works,.he received the title Somdet Phra Chao Borommawong Thoe Krom Phraya Damrong Rajanubhab,the name by which he is generally known. In the following years he worked as a self-educated historian, as well as writing books on Thai literature, culture and arts.
Being one of the main apologists of absolute monarchy, after the Siamese revolution of 1932 which introduced Constitutional monarchy Damrong was exiled to Penang in British Malaysia. He was allowed to return to Bangkok in 1942, where he died one year later. Prince Damrong is credited as the father of Thai history, the education system, the health system and the provincial administration. On the centenary of his birth in 1962, he became the first Thai to be included in the UNESCO list of the world's most distinguished persons.
About the stamps
The first stamp is part of the series Centenary of the Ministry of Interior, issued on April 1st, 1992:
• Prince Damrong Rachanuphaap (2 THB) - It's on the postcard 2124
• People voting (2 THB)
• Organizations attached to the Ministry of Interior (2 THB)
• Decentralization of public utilities (2 THB)
The first stamp is part of the series H.R.H. Prince Damrong Rajanubhab 150th Birthday Anniversary, issued on December 1st, 2012. The stamps depicts portraits of Prince Damrong Rachanuphaap at different stages of his life, with in the background:
• A military parade held in front of the Ministry of Defence (2 THB)
• Sala Look Khun, a building in the Grand Palace (2 THB) - It's on the postcard 2124
• Books written by the Prince and his signature (2 THB)
• Wang Woradit, his former residence (2 THB)
The last stamp is part of the series Yak (Demons), issued on June 13, 2001:
• Yak at Wat Phra Kaew - Maiyarahp (2 THB)
• Yak at Wat Phra Kaew - Virunchambang (5 THB)
• Yak at Wat Arun - Totsakan (10 THB) - It's on the postcard 2124
• Yak at Wat Arun - Sahatsadecha (12 THB)
References
Damrong Rajanubhab - Wikipedia
Sender: Pumipat
Sent from Bangkok (Bangkok / Thailand), on 03.12.2015
Limited edition: 500 rare cards; The 7th set of 42 rare cards issued on the 28th february 2005
Breathtaking! What an amazing card!
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