A second-class honours graduate had considered skipping her graduation ceremony rather than receiving her degree from Princess Bajrakitiyabha.
She wrote on her Facebook page that she did not want to cause inconvenience to others, especially the Princess herself.
The graduate, Waraporn Soisean, informed her university of her decision after encountering difficulties during a rehearsal for the royal degree-conferral ceremony.
Walking more slowly than most people and standing only 90 centimetres tall, she was unable to extend her hand far enough to receive the degree certificate from the Princess, whose royal dais was positioned well above her reach.
Fearing that her participation would create difficulties for lecturers, staff and fellow graduates, Waraporn decided to tell her instructors that she wished to forgo the ceremony, despite having dreamed since childhood of receiving a royal degree certificate.
To her surprise, shortly after the rehearsal, officials from the Bureau of the Royal Household contacted her with a message from Princess Bajrakitiyabha.
She was told that Princess Bajrakitiyabha had personally instructed that special arrangements be made so she could receive her degree in person.
According to Waraporn, the Princess had said:
“Tell her to walk up herself. It doesn't matter if she walks slowly. She can take her time and does not need to hurry. When she reaches me, she can look at me and smile.”
She was moved to tears upon hearing the message.
During the graduation ceremony on September 1, 2022, after her name was announced, she slowly walked towards the Princess and stopped before her.
“The Princess smiled at me. She was even more beautiful than she appears on television,” Waraporn recalled. “She leaned down and extended the degree certificate to me. At that moment, I could feel the warmth and kindness in her hands. She smiled and nodded, as if silently saying, ‘Congratulations.’ Her smile is something I still remember to this day.”
The Princess's kindness and concern did not end with the ceremony.
She said that, afterwards, the Princess's private secretary contacted local officials to inquire about her well-being. It was then discovered that the roof of her family home had several leaks.
The following day, the Princess arranged for workers to repair the roof.
Reflecting on her life, she said she never imagined she would receive such generosity from the Thai royal family.
She noted that Queen Sirikit, the late Queen Mother, had provided a scholarship that enabled her to complete her university education, while Princess Bajrakitiyabha's support and encouragement helped transform her life.
Today, she works for a bank, earns a stable income and is able to support both herself and her parents.
“I never thought I would receive such kindness,” she said. “Because of their support, I have been able to build a secure future and take care of my family.”
After the Princess's passing, she wrote that she was determined to work hard and be a good citizen as a way of repaying the kindness and support she had received.
