Biography
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

   Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was born on 2nd April 1955, the third child of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand.

Education and Training

  Her Royal Highness studied from kindergarten to high school at Chitralada School in Bangkok. She ranked first in the National School Examinations in the primary level (grade 7) in 1967 and in upper secondary level (grade 12) in 1972.

Ranked fourth in the National University Entrance Examination, Her Royal Highness enrolled in the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, first class honor, gold medal in History in 1976. She continued her studies in two graduate programs concurrently, obtaining an M.A. in Oriental Epigraphy (Sanskrit and Cambodian) from Silpakorn University in 1978, and an M.A. in Pali and Sanskrit from Chulalongkorn University in 1980. She enrolled in a doctoral program at Srinakharinwirot University (former College of Education) in 1981, and was awarded a doctoral degree in Development Education in 1987.

The principle of using education as a means for community and social development which Her Royal Highness has acquired during her doctoral studies, together with her former experiences in the field, has served as a solid base for her subsequent involvement in community development activities.

In addition to her formal degree programs, Her Royal Highness has attended several training courses and workshops to enhance her knowledge and skills in effective integrated development. These subjects include computer, cartography, meteorology, survey and photogrammetry, remote sensing and geographic information system and nutrition.

Hobbies and recreations

  Her Royal Highness likes to travel in the country and abroad to obtain knowledge of physical geography and people ways of living. One of her favorite pasttimes is writing articles, poetry and short stories. Proceeds from her written accounts of her overseas travels are the main source of income of the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Foundation which was set up in 1979 to support needy students in schools, vocational colleges and universities. In 1997 the number of students receiving grants from the Foundation is approximately 1,500.

Her Royal Highness loves Thai literature and studies literature of other countries. She enjoys playing classical Thai instruments and practicing Thai classical dancing. She sometimes paints. She is also keen on sports: jogging, swimming, biking and trekking, which gives her an opportunity to learn about plants, trees and geographical features of the areas.

Honorary Membership and Awards

1991

Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service

1992

Honouring Outstanding Nutritionists Award from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for the Agriculture for School Lunch Project and its outstanding contribution to nutritional well-being in Thailand

2004

Honorable Plaque for Her Dedication and Outstanding Leadership in the Program of Sustainable Elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Thailand (from the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD))

2004

Special Ambassador of the United Nations World Food Program for School Feeding

2005

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the Empowerment of Minority Children through Education and through the Preservation of Their Intangible Cultural Heritage

2005

Doctor of Humane Letters, Johns Hopkins University

2005

Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development

2009

The International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) Special Award in Recognition of Her Exceptional Contributions through Nutrition Improvement to Development of the Disadvantaged Population

2016

FAO Special Goodwill Ambassador for Zero Hunger

2018

Life-Time Achievement Award

2019

เครื่องอิสริยาภรณ์รัฐมิตราภรณ์ให้แก่บุคคลสำคัญระดับโลก ในโอกาสเฉลิมฉลองครบรอบ 70 ปี ของการสถาปนาสาธารณรัฐประชาชนจีน

2022

FAO Special Goodwill Ambassador for Zero Hunger for Asia and the Pacific

Source : http://sirindhorn.net