Prince Asdang (1889-1925)
and his consort,
Mom Paew Nakorn Rajasrima

His Royal Highness Prince Asdang Dejavudh, Prince of Nakorn Rajasrima was the 62nd child of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn and 7th child of Her Majesty Queen Sri Bajarindra, the Regent Queen.

Prince Asdang was born on 12 May 1889. He was a member of King Vajiravudh's Privy Council and Lord High Admiral of the Royal Siamese Navy. He also became Heir-Presumptive to the Throne after the death of his brother, Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath, Prince of Bisnulok, in 1920.

The prince had only one consort, Mom Paew Nakorn Rajasrima, who later became Thanpuying Paew Snidwongse Seni, a renowned expert on Thai classical dance.

Prince Asdang would have been king if he did not die so young. He died on 9 February 1925, at a young age of 34.

On 5 July 1903, Prince Asdang entered the monkhood, as traditions dictated, after the cutting of the top knot ceremony. Here, the prince was photographed in monks robe by F. Chit, Siam's top photographer at the time.

In 1905, the prince was sent for his education in England, together with Prince Chudadhuj and Prince Mahidol, but did not stay long. He came back to Asia, and was entered into a school in Singapore. In 1908, he finally returned to Siam, and entered the Siamese Military Academy.

A postcard of Prince Asdang in full Royal Tonsure Ceremony dress.

The tonsure ceremony, or the cutting of the top knot, signifies the entering into adulthood of a male child. In this case, the prince's ceremony happened on his 13th year. Normally, the cutting of the top knot is done at 11 or 13 years of age, though can be done at 9 years old as well. Children in those days were given responsibilities when young, and 11-13 years old would seem more grown up than today's same-age children.