Dhani Nivat พระองค์เจ้าธานีนิวัต |
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Prince Bidyalabh Bridhyakon | |
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Regent of Thailand | |
In office | 12 March 1951 - 19 December 1952 27 May - 6 June 1963 9 July - 14 July 1963 |
Appointed | King Bhumibol Adulyadej |
President of the Privy Council | |
In office | 12 March 1951 - 8 September 1974 |
Appointed | King Bhumibol Adulyadej |
Predecessor | Prince Rangsit Prayurasakdi |
Successor | Mom Lunag Dej Snidvongs |
Minister of Education | |
In office | 3 August 1926 - 10 December 1932 |
Appointed | King Prajadhipok |
Predecessor | Thammasakmontri |
Successor | Thammasakmontri |
Born |
Bangkok, Siam |
7 November 1885
Died | 8 September 1974 Bangkok, Thailand |
(aged 88)
Spouse | Prayoon Sonakul na Ayutthaya (née Sukhum) |
Issue | 3 Children
See list
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House | Chakri Dynasty |
Father | Pitayalarb Pruethidhada |
Mother | Am Sonakul Na Ayutthaya |
Dhani Nivat, Prince Bidyalabh Bridhyakon (Thai: พระวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้าธานีนิวัต กรมหมื่นพิทยลาภพฤฒิยากร) is a member of the Chakri dynasty and Thai courtier. Previously known as Mom Chao Dhaninivat Sonakul (หม่อมเจ้าธานีนิวัต โสณกุล), he received princely rank in 1922. Prince Dhani served many Thai monarchs as Minister of Education and as President of the Privy Council, in the latter capacity he acted as regent for King Bhumibol Adulyadej on three separate occasions. The prince was also known for his academic writings on Thai history and culture. He served as president of the Siam Society for over 20 years.
Mom Chao Dhaninivat Sonakul was born on 7 November 1885, the eldest son of Prince Sonabandhit, the Prince Bidyalabh Pruethidhada and Am Sonakul Na Ayutthaya (née Kuntholchinda). Prince Sonabandhit was the 62nd son of King Mongkut and Consort Vad. His father was the first Siamese military attaché in London. As Prince Dhaninivat was born right after the end of his father's posting abroad his name meant "Returning to the City" (of Bangkok).
The prince was raised in the Inner Court of the Grand Palace, where his grandmother was Mistress of the Robes. In 1898 at the age of 13, Prince Dhaninivat was ordained as a Samanera or novice monk in the Buddhist Sangha, as was customary for all Thai males. However as a royal prince his ordination service was carried out at the chapel royal (Wat Phra Kaew). In 1909 he became a full fledge Bhikkhu monk under Vajirananavarorasa and resided with him at Wat Bowonniwet.
His father insisted he continued his studies abroad. After leaving the monkhood he went to England and under King Chulalongkorn's sponsorship studied at Rugby School. He then went on to study Oriental Languages at Oxford University (namely Pali and Sanskrit) and graduated with second-class honours.