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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

away one year before the announcement of the royal appointment as a fellow of the Royal

Institute of Thailand in 1942. (Sukpanichnant and Issaragrisil, 2024)
Apart from Dr. Toa Laphanukrom, there are other recipients who received grants to study

science from Prince Mahidol (scholarships for premedical science at the Faculty of Arts and
Science, Chulalongkorn University in 1920). They were 1) Professor Mom Chao Ratchadaphisek

Sonakul, master degree in physics, 2) Professor Peng Sommanapan, bachelor degree in physics,
3) Professor Dr. Klum Watcharobol, Ph.D. in biology, 4) Professor Dr. Thongsuk Phongsatat, Ph.D.

in chemistry, 5) Professor Dr. Buaret Khamthong, Ph.D. in chemistry, and 6) Professor Dr. Kan
Israsena Na Ayudhaya, Ph.D. in chemistry. (Sangvichien, 2012; Chula’s man, 1987) Moreover,

Prince Mahidol also donated 100,000 Bahts to Department of Fisheries for aquatic animal
conservation by supporting personnel to study fishery abroad (foreign fishery fellowship).

There were three recipients receiving this Mahidol scholarship. First was Luang Chula Jeebijjadhara
(Chule Vachanagupta) who had a bachelor degree in biology. Subsequently, he was the director

of Department of Fisheries in 1942 as well as a fellow of the Royal Institute of Thailand.
(Sukpanichnant and Issaragrisil, 2024) The other 2 recipients were Professor Boon Intaramphan

and Professor Chote Suvatti; both were fellows of the Royal Institute of Thailand in 1976.
(Sangvichien, 2012; Department of Fisheries, 1974)

Even though King Rama VIII’s reign was a brief one, he made known his wish to see more
doctors to serve his people and connected this message to Professor Dr. Chalerm Prommas,

the Director of the Department of Medical Universities, at Siriraj Hospital on commencement day
in 1946. The second medical school was consequently established at Chulalongkorn Hospital

and started operating the following year. In order to prepare students, a school for premedical
science was founded in addition to the Faculty of Science. This school was later elevated to

Faculty of Medical Science, University of Medical Sciences (Faculty of Science, Mahidol University
at present), allowing production of more scientists. (Sukpanichnant, 2016)

When King Rama IX was still a prince, a younger brother to then King Rama VIII,
he was studying science at Lausanne University with an interest in engineering. However,

after the passing of King Rama VIII, he changed his studies to political science, laws,
and government study. (Thai Junior Encyclopedia, Golden Jubilee issue, 1999); nevertheless,

he always kept his interest in science by applying the knowledge for the benefit of his people.
He invented a number of useful instruments that were patented; the first one was in 1993

for the Chai Pattana Aerator Model RX-2, a mechanical water mill capable of adding air through
the water surface to solve water pollution. The king received patents for nine other inventions

as follows: 1) the Chaipattana Aerator Model RX 5C in 2001; 2) the use of biodiesel by purified

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