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{{Short description|Thai princess (1920–2077)}}
{{about|the Thai princess|the road|Vibhavadi Rangsit Road}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Vibhavadi Rangsit
| image        = Princess Vibhavadi Rangsit.jpg
| caption      = Princess Vibhavadi Rangsit
| birth_name   = Vibhavadi Rajani
| birth_date   = {{Birth date|1920|11|20|df=y}}
| birth_place  = [[Bangkok]], [[Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)|Siam]]
| death_date   = {{Death date and age|1977|02|16|1920|11|20|df=y}}
| death_place  = [[Surat Thani Province|Surat Thani]], Thailand
| spouse       = {{marriage|Piyarangsit Rangsit|6 May 1946|1977|reason=died}}
| issue        = {{ubl|Vibhananda Rangsit|Priyanandana Rangsit}}
| house        = {{ubl|{{c|Rajani family|Rajani}} (by birth)|{{c|Rangsit family|Rangsit}} (by marriage) ([[Chakri&nbsp;dynasty]])}}
| father       = [[Bidyalongkorn|Rajani Chamcharas]]
| mother       = [[Barabimalabanna Voravan]]
| signature    = Signature of Princess Vibhavadi Rangsit.png
}}

'''Princess Vibhavadi Rangsit''' ({{langx|th|วิภาวดีรังสิต}}; {{RTGS|''Wiphawadi Rangsit''}}; 20 November 1920 – 16 February 1977), née '''Princess Vibhavadi Rajani''' ({{langx|th|วิภาวดี รัชนี}}; {{RTGS|''Wiphawadi Ratchani''}}) was a Thai writer and a member of the [[Thailand|Thai]] [[royal family]] well known for her fiction writing and her developmental work in rural Thailand.

Princess Vibavadi was killed by the [[Communist insurgency in Thailand|communist insurgent]] whilst helping the [[Border Patrol Police]] in [[Wiang Sa District, Surat Thani]]. In her honour, [[Vibhavadi Rangsit Road]], which runs from the border between [[Phaya Thai district|Phaya Thai]] and [[Din Daeng district]]s in [[Bangkok]] to [[Lam Luk Ka District]] in [[Pathum Thani Province]] was named after her.

==Early life==
'''Her royal highness Princess Vibhavadi Rangsit was''' born on 20 November 1920. her birth name is '''Her serene highness Princess Vibhavadi Rajini'''. She was the eldest daughter of Prince [[Bidyalongkorn|Rajani Chamcharas, Prince Bidyalongkorn]] and Princess [[Barabimalabanna  Voravan]] (''née'' Princess Phimonphan Voravan). She had a sibling, [[Bhisadej Rajani|Prince Bhisadej Rajani]].

The princess was educated at the [[Mater Dei School (Thailand)|Mater Dei School]], Bangkok. After completing her secondary education, she worked as a secretary for her father, who at the time was one of the most respected poets of the [[Rattanakosin era]] and wrote under the pseudonym '''No. Mo. So.''' (NMS; {{lang|th|นมส.}}). Princess Vibhavadi inherited her father's gift for writing and displayed her ability as early as age of fourteen, when she began writing children's novels. She was well known by her pen-name '''V. na Pramuanmarg''' ({{lang|th|ว. ณ ประมวญมารค}} ''Wo Na Pramuanmak''). Her famous first novel, ''Prisana'' ({{lang|th|ปริศนา}} ''Pritsana''), was written when she was eighteen and was followed by two sequels and many other novels, some of them historical.

==Marriage==
HRH Princess Vibhavadi Rangsit married HSH Prince Piyarangsit Rangsit ({{lang|th|ปิยะรังสิต รังสิต}}), eldest son of [[Rangsit Prayurasakdi]], Prince of Chainat and Elisabeth Scharnberger, on 6 May 1946. They were the only couple married by King [[Ananda Mahidol]] (Rama VIII). She had two daughters:
# ''Mom Rajawongse'' Vibhananda Rangsit ({{lang|th|วิภานันท์ รังสิต}} ''Wiphanan Rangsit'')
# ''Mom Rajawongse'' Priyanandana Rangsit ({{lang|th|ปริยนันทนา รังสิต}} ''Priyananthana Rangsit'')

==Work==
[[File:Novels written by Vibhavadi Rangsit, National Memorial (Thailand).jpg|300px|thumb|Some novels written by Vibhavadi Rangsit in her pseudonyms '''V. na Pramuanmarg''': (from left) ''"Ratanavadi"'' (a sequel of her famous novel ''"Prisana"''), ''"Nick and Pim"'']]
In addition to a full writing career, the princess worked for her third cousin, King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] and his consort, Queen [[Sirikit]] of Thailand. In 1957, she began accompanying them when they toured the country and was appointed a [[lady-in-waiting]] to the queen when they went on their first [[state visit]] abroad in 1960. Princess Vibhavadi accompanied them on seven occasions, visiting twenty-five countries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mgronline.com/onlinesection/detail/9630000015972|title = ยิงจากพื้นดินสู่ ฮ.ปลิดชีพ ม.จ.วิภาวดีรังสิต! ขณะปฏิบัติหน้าที่ตามพระราชดำริ!!|date = 17 February 2020}}</ref>

The last ten years of her life were dedicated to rural development in [[southern Thailand]] under the direction and sponsorship of the king. Her involvement began when the monarch asked her to go to a remote area called [[Amphoe Phrasaeng|Phrasaeng]] in [[Surat Thani Province]]. From that initial visit in 1967, she was committed to the development of neglected areas and the improvement of the villagers' living standards. Sponsored by the king, she led a medical team on many missions to distribute medical supplies, schooling equipment, blankets, and other necessities to villagers in remote and almost inaccessible parts of the South.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304221550/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2520/A/030/298.PDF Hindi text]</ref>

==Death==
Princess Vibavadi often visited soldiers and [[Border Patrol Police]] stationed in areas where there was [[Communist insurgency in Thailand|communist insurgency]]. On the morning of 16 February 1977, she set off on what should have been a routine visit to villages and to boost the morale of troops at [[Wiang Sa District, Surat Thani]]. While flying to her destination in an army [[helicopter]], she heard a [[radio]] message saying two Border Patrol Policemen had been wounded by a [[landmine]]. She immediately ordered the flight diverted to pick up the wounded men and rush them to a hospital. As they flew at low altitude over Ban Nua Khlong, the helicopter was attacked from the ground by communist insurgents. A burst of heavy [[machine gun]] fire crippled the helicopter and seriously wounded the princess. She died one hour later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.naewna.com/lady/552656|title = ๑๖ กุมภาพันธ์'วันวิภาวดี' สดุดีวันคล้ายวันสิ้นพระชนม์ครบ ๔๔ ปี พระเจ้าวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้าวิภาวดีรังสิต|date = 15 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.komchadluek.net/news/today-in-history/313493|title = 16 ก.พ.2520 พระองค์เจ้าวิภาวดีรังสิต สิ้นชีพเพื่อชาติ!|date = 16 February 2018}}</ref>

Prior to her royally sponsored [[cremation]] at Ratchabophit Temple, on 4 April 1977, "in recognition of her services to the country and the people", the king elevated her to the higher royal rank of Phra Chao Worawongse Ther Phra Ong Chao (Her Royal Highness) and awarded her the highest level of the most Illustrious Order of the House of [[Chakri Dynasty|Chakri]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.praphansarn.com/home/detail_author_th/65|title=สำนักพิมพ์ประพันธ์สาส์น - ทำเนียบนักประพันธ์ -}}</ref>

==Legacy==
February 16 is now known in Surat Thani as Vibhavadi Day, and civil and religious ceremonies are held in her honour. 

Her husband, Prince Piya Rangsit, founded the Vibhavadi Rangsit Foundation to ensure the continuity of her charitable work in the southern provinces.

[[Vibhavadi Rangsit Road]], which runs from the boarder between [[Phaya Thai district|Phaya Thai]] and [[Din Daeng district]]s in [[Bangkok]] to [[Lam Luk Ka District]] in [[Pathum Thani Province]] was also named in her honour.

== Honours ==
=== Paramilitary rank ===
* 14 March 1977 : [[Volunteer Defense Corps (Thailand)|Volunteer Defense Corps]] Colonel (posthumous promoted)

=== Decorations ===
Vibhavadi received the following royal decorations in the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Thailand|Honours System]] of Thailand :
* 1977 - [[File:Order of the Royal House of Chakri (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80px]] Knight of the Most Illustrious [[Order of the Royal House of Chakri]] (posthumous awarded)<ref>ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304212534/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2520/D/030/1537.PDF แจ้งความสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องขัตติยราชอิสริยาภรณ์มหาจักรีบรมราชวงศ์], เล่ม ๙๔, ตอน ๓๐ ง, ๕ เมษายน พ.ศ. ๒๕๒๐, หน้า ๑๕๓๗</ref>
* 1968 - [[File:Order of Chula Chom Klao - 2nd Class upper (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80px]] Dame Grand Commander of the [[Order of Chula Chom Klao]]
* 1977 - [[File:Order of the White Elephant - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80px]] Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of the White Elephant]] 
* 1953 - [[File:King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80px]] King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, Third Class
* 1960 - [[File:King Rama IX Rajaruchi Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80x80px]] King Rama IX Rajaruchi Medal 

=== Foreign Honours ===
* {{Flag|Belgium}} :
** [[File:BEL Order of Leopold II - Grand Cross BAR.png|80x80px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of Leopold II]]
* {{Flag|Netherlands}} :
** [[File:Order of Orange-Nassau ribbon - Knight Grand Cross.svg|80x80px]] Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Orange-Nassau]]
* {{Flag|Portugal}} :
** [[File:PRT Order of Prince Henry - Grand Officer BAR.svg|80x80px]] Grand Officer of the [[Order of Prince Henry]]
* {{Flag|Japan}} :
** [[File:JPN Kyokujitsu-sho 2Class BAR.svg|80x80px]] Gold and Silver Star of the [[Order of the Rising Sun]]
*{{Flag|Italian Republic}} :
**[[File:Grande ufficiale OMRI BAR.svg|80x80px]] Grand Officer of the [[Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]]
* {{Flag|Kingdom of Greece}} :
** [[File:GRE Order of Honour Grand Commander BAR.svg|80x80px]] Grand Commander of the [[Order of Honour (Greece)|Order of Honour]]
* {{Flag|Spain}} :
** [[File:ESP Isabella Catholic Order COM.svg|80x80px]] Commander of the [[Order of Isabella the Catholic]]
* {{Flag|UK}} :
** [[File:UK Royal Victorian Order honorary member ribbon.svg|80x80px]] Knight Commander of the [[Royal Victorian Order]] (KCVO)
* {{Flag|Denmark}} :
** [[File:Order of the Dannebrog K1.svg|80x80px]] Commander 1st Class of the [[Order of the Dannebrog]]
* {{Flag|West Germany}} :
** [[File:GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 5 GrVK Stern.svg|80px]] Knight Commander of the [[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
* {{Flag|Sweden}} :
** [[File:Royal Order of the Polar Star (1748-1975) - Commander.svg|80x80px]] Knight 1st Class of the [[Order of the Polar Star]]
* {{Flag|Luxembourg}} :
** [[File:LUX Ordre de Mérite civil et militaire d'Adolphe de Nassau - Chevalier BAR.svg|80x80px]] Knight of the [[Order of Adolphe of Nassau]]

==Ancestors==
{{ahnentafel
|collapsed=yes |align=center
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|boxstyle_5=background-color: #9fe;
|1= 1. '''Princess Vibhavadi Rangsit'''
|2= 2. [[Bidyalongkorn|Rajani Chamcharas, Prince of Bidyalongkorn]]
|3= 3. Princess Phonphimonphan Rajani
|4= 4. [[Vichaichan]]
|5= 5. Liam Chuto
|6= 6. Varavarnakara, Prince of Naradhip Praphanpong
|7= 7. Phan
|8= 8. [[Pinklao]]
|9= 9. Em Sae-ong
|10= 10. Phloi Chuto
|11= 11. Nim Svasti-Chuto
|12= 12. [[Mongkut]]
|13= 13. Khian Siriwan
|14= 14.
|15= 15.
|16= 16. (=24.) [[Buddha Loetla Nabhalai]]
|17= 17. (=25.) [[Sri Suriyendra]]
|18= 18. Bunmi Sae-ong
|19= 19.
|20= 20. That Chuto
|21= 21.
|22= 22. Svasti Chuto
|23= 23. Piam Bunnag
|24= 24. (=16.) [[Buddha Loetla Nabhalai]]
|25= 25. (=17.) [[Sri Suriyendra]]
|26= 26. On Siriwan
|27= 27. Im Siriwan
}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

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{{Thai princesses}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Vibhavadi Rangsit}}
[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:1977 deaths]]
[[Category:Thai female Phra Ong Chao]]
[[Category:Rangsit family]]
[[Category:Rajani family]]
[[Category:Murdered royalty]]
[[Category:Assassinated Thai people]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in Thailand]]
[[Category:Ladies-in-waiting]]
[[Category:Dames Grand Commander of the Order of Chula Chom Klao]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
[[Category:Thai women novelists]]
[[Category:20th-century Thai women writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Thai novelists]]
[[Category:20th-century Chakri dynasty]]
[[Category:Vorawan family]]
[[Category:Thai female Mom Chao]]
[[Category:Thai princesses consort]]