Admiral Prince Apakorn

Admiral Prince Apakorn, Father of the Royal Thai Navy, (Admiral Prince Apakornkhietiwong Chumporn Ket Udomsak) was the 28th child of King Rama V. He was born on December 19, 1880, the son of Queen Mod. King Rama V sent Prince Apakorn to study naval tactics in England, the first of the King’s children to do so.

After he graduated in 1900 he became Lieutenant Junior Grade, the equivalent of Lieutenant Commander nowadays. King Rama V appointed the prince as commander of HTMS Maruthawasitsawat.

In 1901 he became the deputy commander of the Navy Department, which he subsequently restructured and developed to place the Royal Thai Navy on an international footing. Prince Apakorn died of fever in Chumporn province on May 19, 1923.

The Thai Royal Navy has named Prince Apakorn “The Father of the Thai Royal Navy” and has designated May 19 every year as Apakorn Day.

Luang Phu Thim of Wat Lahanrai and Luang Phor Sakorn of Wat NongKrap have produced rian of Prince Chumporn due to the close affiliation with Sattahip Naval Base, Chonburi, which is just next to Rayong.