Wang Woradit (วังวรดิศ)

Thai-Pali. ‘Palace of the Glorious Ditsakun Family’. Name of the former residence of Prince Damrong Rachanuphaap (fig.), of the Rajasakun or House of Ditsakun (ดิศกุล). Whereas Wang means ‘Palace’, Woradit is a compound of the words wora and dit, with wora meaning  ‘superb’ or ‘glorious’, and dit being an abbreviation of Ditsakun. However some sources say dit is also a synonym for phon (พร), i.e. a ‘blessing’, ‘gift’, or ‘divine favour’. In that case, the name could also mean ‘Palace of the Glorious Blessing’. Woradit is often transliterated Woradis and Varadis, with the latter transcription being indeed reminiscent of the Sanskrit word varada, i.e. ‘granting of wishes’. Prince Damrong's full name and royal title is Somdet Phra Chao Boromawong Teh Pra Ong Chao Ditsaworakumaan Krom Phraya Damrong Rachanuphaap. Note also the pun in the name Ditsaworakumaan (ดิศวรกุมาร), in which Ditsawora (ดิศวร) is the exact reverse of Woradit (วรดิศ), whilst kumnaan derives from kumara, i.e. ‘young prince’. The palace's construction was finished in 1911 and it's architecture is in the renaissance style. Today, it has been converted into a private museum by Momluang Panadda Ditsakun (ปนัดดา ดิศกุล), a nephew of the Prince. It is located at Lan Luang Road, adjacent to the Damrong Rachanuphaap Library (fig.), which is dedicated to the works of Prince Damrong. Woradit Palace is depicted on a Thai postage stamp issued in 2012 (fig.), to commemorate the 150th birthday anniversary of this 57th son of King Mongkut. In English, it is also known as Varadis Palace. See MAP. 回