Vivadhanajaya

Vivadhanajaya
Born	1899-04-29
Died	1960-08-22
Occupation(s)	Royal, public servant, governor of the Bank of Thailand, Minister of Finance, chairman of the Crown Property Bureau
Known for	First governor of the Bank of Thailand, Minister of Finance, first chairman of the Crown Property Bureau

Vivadhanajaya (; ; 29 April 1899 – 22 August 1960) was a Thai royal and public servant, a grandson of King Mongkut (Rama IV). He held the distinction of being the inaugural governor of the Bank of Thailand, subsequently taking on the role of Minister of Finance and becoming the first chairman of the Crown Property Bureau.

Early life and education

Born as Mom Chao Vivadhanajaya Jayanta, he was the offspring of Prince Jayanta Mongkol, Prince Mahisara Rajaharudaya, and Mom Suan Jayanta na Ayudhaya. Losing his parents early, he enrolled at the Royal Pages College at age six and completed Grade 6 by 1911. Following the passing of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), Queen Saovabha Phongsri sponsored his education abroad in England. He attended Torquay Preparatory School for two years before progressing to secondary studies at Cheltenham College starting in 1913. In 1916, he matriculated at Magdalen College, University of Cambridge, where he earned a second-class honours Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1919. Subsequently, he pursued advanced studies at Paris's École Libre des Sciences Politiques prior to returning to Siam in 1920.

Government service

After returning to Siam, he entered King Vajiravudh (Rama VI)'s government as Secretary to the Minister within the Ministry of the Treasury. By 1927, King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) appointed him Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of the Treasury at only 28 years old, making him the youngest individual to assume this office.

His responsibilities extended to membership on the West Coast Seaboard Council, which aimed to enhance economic development along the western coastline, and he was also named to the king's Privy Council.

In 1930, he advanced to Director-General of the Revenue Department, where he spearheaded significant reforms including a comprehensive modernization of tax legislation. This reform transitioned tax collection from traditional tax farming systems to direct governmental administration.

Despite the upheaval caused by the 1932 revolution, which displaced many royals from official positions, he maintained his role due to his acknowledged expertise. Additionally, he briefly served as Director-General of the Excise Department between 1932 and 1933 while continuing as head of the Revenue Department until 1935.

With the establishment of the Bank of Thailand through the Bank of Thailand Act in 1942, he was appointed its first governor on 27 November that year. He guided the central bank through World War II's difficulties, completing a full five-year tenure concluding in 1946.

Post-war service

Following Thailand's capitulation to Allied forces in 1945, Prince Vivadhanajaya led negotiations with the United Kingdom on behalf of Thailand. Initial discussions began on 21 September 1945 in Kandy, Sri Lanka, later relocating to Singapore, culminating in signing the Anglo-Thai Peace Treaty on 1 January 1946. He also negotiated and ratified a separate agreement with Australia known as the Australian–Thai Peace Treaty on 3 April 1946.

On 11 November 1947, Vivadhanajaya assumed office as Minister of Finance under Prime Minister Khuang Aphaiwong. When Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram took office as prime minister in April 1948, Vivadhanajaya was dismissed from this ministerial post but was concurrently reappointed as governor of the Bank of Thailand on 3 September 1948 for a second term. After three months, he returned to serve as finance minister starting on 30 November 1948 until being succeeded by Phibunsongkhram on 13 October 1949. Subsequently, he retired after nearly three decades in public service.

During King Bhumibol Adulyadej's (Rama IX) coronation honors on 8 May 1950, Vivadhanajaya was elevated to princely status with the title Phra Ong Chao, becoming Phra Worawong There Phra Ong Chao Vivadhanajaya. Later, on 8 April 1952, he was appointed to King Bhumibol’s newly established privy council.

From his time as finance minister onward, Vivadhanajaya participated on the board managing crown property beginning in 1948. After retiring from governmental duties, he played a pivotal role in restructuring the Crown Property Bureau, transforming it from a government department into an autonomous legal entity and serving as its first chairman.

Family

Prince Vivadhanajaya entered into two marriages, both with women of noble status within the Chakri dynasty. His first union, established in 1921 with Mom Rajawongse Chaovarit Snidvongs, resulted in two offspring; she passed away in 1929. His second spouse, Mom Chao Patkanana Kitiyakara—daughter of Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana—had one child with him. She was also the half-sister of Prince Nakkhatra Mangala, who was the father of Queen Sirikit.

Death

Prince Vivadhanajaya passed away at 61 years old on 22 August 1960 due to heart disease while composing a letter. The news reached King Bhumibol during his official visit to Portugal, after which he assigned Princess Srinagarindra, serving as regent at the time, to manage the funeral arrangements.