About Rajakumara School Medal
Compiled from partner sources; under review and editing by our team.
Translated from Thai by AI and not yet reviewed by our team. Names and royal titles may need correction.
History
The Rajakumara School was established at the royal wish of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) as a special school where the Crown Prince, the royal sons, the royal children and certain Mom Chao could study various subjects, including Thai and foreign languages, arithmetic and geography, as befitted the royal lineage. His Majesty graciously commanded Mr. Morant (Robert L. Morant), tutor to the Crown Prince (Prince Maha Vajirunhis), to manage the school. It had the status of a special school and, unlike other schools, was not connected with the Ministry of Education (Ministry of Dhammakarn). The school was located behind the residence of the Crown Prince within the Grand Palace.
The Rajakumara School was opened on 7 January, Rattanakosin Era 111 (R.S. 111), at 9 a.m. His Majesty the King came out through the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall and walked up to the Crown Prince's residence, ascending by the grand staircase and passing through the doorway to the pavilion (the royal ceremonial pavilion). The students, who had lined up and were standing in attendance there, paid obeisance and then chanted a eulogy of the King's majesty and benevolence. His Majesty then proceeded to the school entrance and pulled away the cloth covering a board bearing the name of the school, bestowing the name "โรงเรียนราชกุมาร" (Rajakumara School). Afterwards, he watched the students perform physical exercises, delivered a royal address to the students and tutors, and graciously bestowed on Mr. Morant a large royal portrait and a pocket watch as a reward. In the evening there was also a banquet, including fancy-dress attire. (The above information is drawn from the Royal Gazette of the Fifth Reign, vol. 9, pp. 381–382.)
"Source: Samut Phap Chotmaihet Phra Ratchaorot lae Phra Ratchathida nai Phrabat Somdet Phra Chulachomklao Chaoyuhua (Illustrated Record of the Sons and Daughters of King Chulalongkorn), published by the Fine Arts Department, B.E. 2552 (2009)"
Further research also found that the sons of King Chulalongkorn all received their education at this Rajakumara School before going abroad for further study at about 14 to 15 years of age. The Rajakumara School was thus, in effect, a preparatory school for study abroad.
The Rajakumara School medal has the appearance shown in the illustration. Research has so far found no evidence that it was announced in the Royal Gazette. It is presumed to have been a medal presented to students on completing their studies at this school, or it may have been an award medal for good academic performance (this cannot yet be confirmed by available information).
Design
- Obverse
- Shield-shaped, surmounted by the Phra Kiao (royal hair-topknot crown) and surrounded by a victory laurel wreath. At the bottom is a ribbon scroll with the text "ราชกุมาร" (Rajakumara) in the center. Within the shield, the Phra Kiao emblem is at upper right, the Chakri emblem at upper left, and a book at the bottom of the shield. The medal is suspended from a green ribbon.
- Reverse
- Plain, with no designs or inscriptions.
