Lakshamilavan, Princess consort of Siam, was one of the four wives of King Vajiravudh or Rama VI of Siam. Long after her glittering tenure, she met a tragic fate at the hands of her gardeners.
She was born Princess Wanphimon Worawan on 3 July 1899 as the daughter of Worawannakon, Prince Narathip Praphanphong, one of the numerous sons of King Mongkut, and Tat Montrikul. Not much is known about her youth, and she only entered the royal stage when her name was changed to Lakshamilavan at the orders of King Vajiravudh. He became engaged to her sister, whose name became Vallabha Devi. However, the engagement was broken off a few months later without a reason being given.
He married four women in quick succession. On 27 October 1921, he married Sucharit Suda. She never received the title of Queen. He also married Sucharit Suda’s sister, Indrasakdi Sachi. She fell pregnant quickly and was promoted to Queen, but she was demoted again when she lost the pregnancy and several others as well.
In 1922, he married Lakshamilavan, and she was given a title similar to that of Princess consort. In 1924, he finally married Suvadhana, who would be the only one to give him a living child – a daughter. Lakshamilavan never had a child with the King, and blaming herself, she retired from royal life not much later. The King died on 26 November 1925, just two hours after the birth of his daughter. He had decreed that the throne would pass to his younger brother Prajadhipok if he had a daughter.
Lakshamilavan inherited some money from the King and moved into the Laksami Vilas Villa. She spent her time writing and translating but was effectively a recluse by the end of her life.
She met a tragic end on 29 August 1961. The New York Times reported, “The police announced today that Princess Luxmami Lawan (sic) was found slain last night in the patio of her Bangkok palace. She was the sister of Prince Wan Waithayakon, Deputy Premier of Thailand. Authorities said that the 62-year-old Princess had been stabbed and beaten to death, apparently several days ago. They added that $5,000 in Thai currency had been stolen from the palace. They said that the Princess’s household staff of three men and two women had been missing since Tuesday. The police launched a nation-wide search for them.”1
She was later found to have been murdered for the King’s inheritance, or what remained of it, by her gardeners.2
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