Pattaya - Navy ceremony honors HRH Prince Chumporn
Navy ceremony honors HRH Prince Chumporn
Narisa Nitikarn
Rear Admiral Chumnum Ardwong, director general of the Naval Communications Department, presided over a ceremony in memory of the Father of the Royal Thai Navy, HRH Prince Chumporn Khet Udomsak, on December 19.
Navy officers and other participants gathered at Pratamnak Hill, where they were welcomed by Commander Somboon Wirawannawin, head of the Sor Thor Ror 5 Radio Station in Pattaya.
HRH Prince Chumporn was born on December 19, 1880, the 28th son of King Rama V and the first son of the King’s concubine Moad.
Moad was a daughter of Chao Phraya Surawongwaiwat, who was in charge of the Defense Ministry at that time.
HRH Prince Chumporn was the first Thai prince to graduate in naval studies in the United Kingdom. He came back to Thailand determined to build a navy that was as strong as those found in Western countries, and he was also determined the navy should be led by Thais, rather than by foreign mariners as before.
HRH the Prince restructured the Royal Thai Naval Academy, adding courses that would allow the cadets to learn skills compatible with foreign navies.
HRH Prince Chumporn became known to generations of Thai sailors as the Father of the Royal Navy, and a ceremony is held each year on the anniversary of his passing away, on December 19.
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