Thai royal and noble titles

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"Phra" redirects here. For Buddhist monk, see Bhikkhu.

Thai royal and noble titles are the royal and noble styles indicating relationship to the king which were introduced by King Trailokanat (reigned 1448–1488). The system is rooted in the Thai language equivalent of feudalism, sakdina. Borne of a polygamous royal tradition in which monarchs and noblemen often had dozens of children, such royal and noble titulary is similar to Western concepts of peerage. A title of honor may not be confined to the beginning or the end of the name, but may be split across the name. Those with titles ceased to be known by personal names, and were referred to by the awarded (or similar) title.[1] The King could bestow a title on anyone, although such promotion was personal and the person's children would not normally benefit from it. The complex and nuanced distinctions in rank of the titles are largely uncaptured by their glosses into Western-style terms. With the exception of a handful of titles for women, the bestowal of noble titles ended after the Siamese revolution of 1932, and the adoption of monogamy resulted in far fewer royal consorts and issue who could receive such styles. As a result, the old titles are obscure even to most Thais.

Historical context[edit]

See also: Indian honorifics, Greater India, and Ramayana

Historically Southeast Asia was under the influence of Ancient India, where numerous Indianized principalities and empires flourished for several centuries in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam. The influence of Indian culture into these areas was given the term indianization.[2] French archaeologist, George Coedes, defined it as the expansion of an organized culture that was framed upon Indian originations of royalty, Hinduism and Buddhism and the Sanskrit dialect.[3] This can be seen in the Indianization of Southeast Asia, spread of Hinduism and Buddhism. Indian diaspora, both ancient (PIO) and current (NRI), played an ongoing key role as professionals, traders, priests and warriors.[4][5][6][6] Indian honorifics also influenced the Malay, Thai, Filipino and Indonesian honorifics.[7] Thai royal titles are based on Indian Hindu texts, such as Ramayana where each reigning Thai king is called Rama.

The Sovereign[edit]

See also: Rama (Kings of Thailand)

There are two styles which can be used for a king in ordinary speech, depending on whether he has been crowned:

  • Crowned kings: Phra Bat Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua (Thai: พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว; English: His Majesty the King) is the style used in ordinary speech when referring to the kings of Thailand after their coronation. This style may be used in two ways:
    • Preceding the name of the king; e.g., Phra Bat Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua Phumiphon Adunyadet (Thai: พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวภูมิพลอดุลยเดช; His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej).
    • More formally it can be split across the name, possibly with the omission (or modification) of the words "Phra Chao Yu Hua"; e.g., Phra Bat Somdet Phra Paramintara Maha Phumiphon Adunyadet (Thai: พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดช) and Phra Bat Somdet Phra Paramindara Maha Prajadhipok Phra Pokklao Chao Yu Hua (Thai: พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาประชาธิปกฯ พระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว).
  • Uncrowned kings: Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua (Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว), normally preceding the king's name, is restricted to a king who has not yet been crowned. When crowned, he assumes the title of Phra Bat Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua; e.g., Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua Maha Wachiralongkon Bodinthrathepphayawarangkun (Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวมหาวชิราลงกรณ บดินทรเทพยวรางกูร; His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun).[8]

Consorts[edit]

Traditionally, titles of royal wives depended on their birth titles and royal favour; only princesses of high birth (Chao Fa, Phra Ong Chao and Mom Chao Ying) assuming titles higher than Chao Chom.[citation needed] There were no clear rules about the hierarchy of titles above Chao Chom until the time of King Mongkut, and titles changed over successive reigns. The rule about commoners also seems to be evolving, and it appears that there are no more restrictions on a commoner from becoming queen. Most of the titles below are from King Vajiravudh's 1924 enactment of the Succession Law.

Consorts
Rank Title Style Remarks
Somdet Phra Akkhara Mahesi
สมเด็จพระอัครมเหสี
(Supreme Royal Consort) 		Somdet Phra Boromma Rajininat
สมเด็จพระบรมราชินีนาถ
(Queen Regent) 		Somdet Phra Nang Chao + Name + Phra Boromma Rajini Nat
Her Majesty, the Queen 		Nat (นาถ) means "shelter", bestowed upon a Queen who has acted as regent for her husband.
Somdet Phra Boromma Rajini
สมเด็จพระบรมราชินี 		Somdet Phra Nang Chao + Name + Phra Boromma Rajini
Her Majesty, the Queen
Somdet Phra Rajini
สมเด็จพระราชินี 		Somdet Phra Rajini + Name Temporary title before coronation
Phra Mahesi
พระมเหสี
(Royal Consort) 		Somdet Phra Boromma Rajadevi
สมเด็จพระบรมราชเทวี 		Somdet Phra Nang Chao + Name + Phra Boromma Rajadevi
Her Majesty, the Queen
Somdet Phra Akkhara Rajadevi
สมเด็จพระอัครราชเทวี 		Somdet Phra Nang Chao + Name + Phra Akkhara Rajadevi
Her Majesty, the Queen
Phra Akkhara Rajadevi
พระอัครราชเทวี 		Phra Nang Chao + Name + Phra Akkhara Rajadevi
Her Royal Highness, Princess, Royal Consort
Phra Vara Rajadevi
พระวรราชเทวี 		Phra Nang Chao + Name + Phra Vara Rajadevi
Her Royal Highness, Princess, Royal Consort
Phra Rajadevi
พระราชเทวี 		Phra Nang Chao + Name + Phra Rajadevi
Her Royal Highness, Princess, Royal Consort
Phra Nang Thoe
พระนางเธอ 		Phra Nang Thoe + Name
Her Royal Highness, Princess, Royal Consort
Phra Akkhara Chaya Thoe
พระอรรคชายาเธอ 		Phra Akkhara Chaya Thoe + Name
Her Highness, Princess, Royal Consort
Phra Raja Chaya Thoe
พระราชชายาเธอ 		Phra Raja Chaya Thoe + Name
Her Highness, Princess, Royal Consort
Phra Sanom
พระสนม
(Royal Concubine) 		Chao Khun Phra
เจ้าคุณพระ
Royal Noble Consort 		Chao Khun Phra + Name Appointed to
* Foreign princess
* Mom Chao (Her Serene Highness, Princess)
* Mom Rajawongse
* Mom Luang
* Commoners
During pregnancy, known as Chao Chom Manda, Manda means "mother"
Phra was used during Rama VI's reign
Chao Khun Chom Manda
เจ้าคุณจอมมารดา
Noble Consort 		Chao Khun Chom Manda + Name
Chao Chom Manda
เจ้าจอมมารดา
Noble Consort 		Chao Chom Manda + Name
Chom Manda
จอมมารดา
Front Palace Consort 		Chom Manda + Name
Chao Chom
เจ้าจอม
Consort 		Chao Chom + Name
Phra
พระ
Lady 		Phra + Name

Princes and princesses[edit]

Holders of these titles are still considered royal, since they are (at most) two generations removed from a king. Nai Luang (ในหลวง) is an epithet for a king.[9] Children of a king are called Luk Luang (ลูก หลวง "royal children"), and grandchildren of a king are called Laan Luang (หลาน หลวง "royal grandchildren"). The concept is similar to the French system of "princes of the blood" and the Iberian system of "infantes." In English, they are normally called "prince" or "princess". Special forms are used when one wishes to address them, although the language is less elaborate than when speaking to the king or the queen. A male Luk Luang who does not accede to the throne would assume a new royal surname, normally reflecting his birth name (as opposed to an honorific given later). The surname can be used by his wife if she is a commoner by birth, possibly with Na Ayudhya added if she has no noble title. It is otherwise not normally used until his children (or grandchildren) first hold the title of Mom Chao, when the surname will first appear in their names.

Sovereign's children[edit]

Further information: Saopha
Order of precedence of a sovereign's children
Rank Title Remarks
Thai English
Somdet Chao Fa Somdet Phra Anujadhiraj / Somdet Phra Kanitthadhiraj His Royal Highness, The Hereditary Prince / His Royal Highness, The Hereditary Princess Elevated to "Heir Apparent" by Rama VI
Higher than the other royal family; for example,

Elevated for "Princess Royal" by Rama X
Higher than the other royal family; for example,

Somdet Chao Fa
Special Class 		His Royal Highness, Prince Elevated to "Special Class" by Rama VII and Bhanurangsi Savangvongse, Prince Banubandhu Vongsevoradej
Somdet Phra Chao Borommawong Thoe
Chao Fa
First Class 		His Royal Highness, Prince (Princess) For a sovereign's children with:
  1. The Queen
  2. Royal consorts who are a sovereign's daughter
Somdet Phra Chao Borommawong Thoe
Chao Fa
Second Class 		His Royal Highness, Prince (Princess) For a sovereign's children with:
  1. Royal consorts
  2. A foreign princess
Phra Ong Chao
Special Class 		Somdet Phra Chao Borommawong Thoe
Phra Ong Chao
His Royal Highness, Prince (Princess) For a sovereign's children with:
  1. HSH Princess
  2. A royal concubine
Phra Ong Chao
First Class 		Phra Chao Baromwongse Thoe
Phra Ong Chao 		His Royal Highness, Prince (Princess) For a sovereign's children with:
  1. HSH Princess
  2. A royal concubine

Viceroy's children[edit]

Order of precedence of Viceroy's children
Rank Title Remarks
Thai English
Special Class Phra Chao Rajvorawongse Ther Chao Fa
(พระเจ้าราชวรวงศ์เธอ เจ้าฟ้า) 		His Royal Highness, Prince (Princess) For Viceroy's children with a royal consort who is a princess
Phra Ong Chao Phra Chao Rajvorawongse Ther
Phra Ong Chao
(พระเจ้าราชวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า) 		His Royal Highness, Prince (Princess) For children of Viceroys
  1. Maha Sura Singhanat
  2. Maha Senanurak
  3. Maha Sakdi Balasebya
  4. Pinklao
Phra Rajvorawongse Ther
Phra Ong Chao
(พระราชวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า) 		His Royal Highness, Prince (Princess) For children of Wichaichan

Sovereign's grandchildren[edit]

Order of precedence of sovereign's grandchildren
Rank Title Remarks
Thai English
Special Class Somdet Phra Chao Lanh Ther Chao Fa
(สมเด็จพระเจ้าหลานเธอ เจ้าฟ้า) 		His Royal Highness, Prince (Princess) For children of the sovereign's daughters or the sovereign's sisters with a prince. They are the third class of Chao Fa.
Phra Ong Chao Phra Chao Lanh Ther Phra Ong Chao
(พระเจ้าหลานเธอ พระองค์เจ้า) 		His Royal Highness, Prince (Princess) For children of the sovereign's sons (First Class) with a princess or royal consort.

After their grandfather's reign, their title changes to Phra Chao Voravongse Ther Phra Ong Chao (พระเจ้าวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า)

Phra Lanh Ther Phra Ong Chao
(พระหลานเธอ พระองค์เจ้า) 		His Highness, Prince (Princess) For children of:
  1. The sovereign's sons (First Class) with a commoner elevated by the king
  2. The sovereign's sons (Second Class) with a princess

After their grandfather's reign, their title changes to Phra Voravongse Ther Phra Ong Chao (พระวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า)

Phra Sambandhawongse Ther
Phra Ong Chao
(พระสัมพันธวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า) 		His Highness, Prince (Princess) For children of Prince Matayabitaksa, maternal grandfather of Rama V
Mom Chao Mom Chao
(หม่อมเจ้า) 		His Serene Highness, Prince (Princess) For children of the sovereign's sons with a commoner

Sovereign's nephew or niece[edit]

Order of precedence of sovereign's nephew or niece
Rank Title Remarks
Thai English
Chao Fa Somdet Phra Sambhandhawongse Ther
Chao Fa
(สมเด็จพระสัมพันธวงศ์เธอ เจ้าฟ้า) 		His Royal Highness, Prince (Princess) For children of Rama I's eldest sisters; Princess Debsudavadi and Princess Sri Sudaraksha
Phra Ong Chao Phra Prabhandhawongse Ther
Phra Ong Chao
(พระประพันธวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า) 		His Highness, Prince (Princess) For children of deputy vice-king Anuraksha Deveshra with a royal consort
Mom Chao Mom Chao
(หม่อมเจ้า) 		His Serene Highness, Prince (Princess) For children of:
  1. Sons and daughters of Princess Debsudavadi and Princess Sri Sudaraksha's son
  2. Sons and daughters of deputy vice-king Anuraksha Deveshra with a concubine

Viceroy's grandchildren[edit]

Order of precedence of Viceroy's grandchildren
Rank Title Remarks
Thai English
Phra Ong Chao Phra Wongse Ther

Phra Ong Chao
(พระวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า)

His Highness, Prince (Princess) For the Viceroy's grandchildren who is in officials.
Mom Chao Mom Chao
(หม่อมเจ้า) 		His Serene Highness, Prince (Princess) For the Viceroy's grandchildren

Sovereign's great-grandchildren[edit]

Order of precedence of sovereign's great-grandchildren
Rank Title Remarks
Thai English
Mom Chao Mom Chao
(หม่อมเจ้า) 		His Serene Highness, Prince (Princess) For children of the sovereign's grandchildren in the class of Phra Chao Lanh Thor Phra Ong Chao (HRH, Prince)
Mom Rajawongse Mom Rajawongse
(หม่อมราชวงศ์) 		His Excellency/

His Grace

For children of the sovereign's grandchildren in the class of Phra Lanh Thor Phra Ong Chao (HH Prince) and Mom Chao (HSH Prince). They are not members of the royal family.

Royal descendants[edit]

More distant royal progeny, starting from the children of male Mom Chao, are considered commoners. However, these commoners have titles indicating that their ancestry can be traced back to a king.

Mom Rajawongse[edit]

Mom Rajawongse (หม่อมราชวงศ์, RTGS: Mom Ratchawong; abbreviated in Thai as ม.ร.ว. and in English as M. R. and translated as "His/Her Excellency") is the title assumed by children of male Mom Chao M.C.(English) M.C. After first name Informally, they may be called Khun Chai (male) or Khun Ying (female) (คุณชาย.../คุณหญิง...). Holders of this title are occasionally erroneously referred to as princes or princesses in older English documents; it is now more common to use the correct title, "Mom Rajawongse". If a specific title is appended, sometimes the titular may be called His/Her Grace by proclamation of the King or a Prince-Regent, but not by a Queen-regent or any royal member sitting in the King's capacity as a Councillor-of-State.

Mom Luang[edit]

Mom Luang (หม่อมหลวง, abbreviated in Thai ม.ล. and sometimes in English as M. L. and translated as "The Honourable") are the last royal descendants retaining a title. Mom Luang titles are conferred on children of male Mom Rajawongse. Colloquially (although incorrectly), they are sometimes addressed as "Mom"; the correct informal address is "Khun" (คุณ).nlk

Na Ayudhya[edit]

In the Family Name Act, B. E. 2465, Rama VI ordered that royal descendants who do not hold any title should append "Na Ayudhya" (ณ อยุธยา) to their surname to signify they are descended from a royal bloodline. Sometime spelled "Na Ayutthaya".

Wife of prince[edit]

Wives of princes have titles, depending on the titles on both sides.[citation needed]

Phra Vorachaya[edit]

Phra Vorachaya (พระวรชายา) is a title of the royal consort of the Crown Prince. She is elevated to Phra Chao Vorawongse Ther Phra Ong Chao.

Phra Chaya[edit]

Phra Chaya (พระชายา) is a princess, Chao Fa (HRH Princess) or Phra Ong Chao (HRH Princess) who is married to prince, at every level. She retains her own title. When referring to her as a wife of the prince, she may be called "Phra Chaya Nai (husband's name)".

Chaya[edit]

Chaya (ชายา) is a princess or Mom Chao (HSH Princess) who is married to prince, at every level. Again, she would retain her own title. When referring to her as a wife of the prince, she may be called "Chaya Nai (husband's name)".

Mom[edit]

Mom (หม่อม), in this context, is a commoner married to a prince. She uses this title as a prefix of her name, adding na Ayudhya to her new surname; for example, Mom Srirasmi Mahidol na Ayudhya (a wife of Chao Fa Maha Vajiralongkorn, whose surname is Mahidol). If she has her own title (Mom Rajawongse or Mom Luang), she retains it.

Married princesses[edit]

The son of a holder of the following titles generally inherits a title one step below; a female Mom Rajawongse married to a commoner would produce a child with no title. According to the Royal Marriages Act, B. E. 2475, a princess wishing to marry to a commoner must request royal permission and abandon her royal title. For example, if princess Chao Fa, HRH Princess of Thailand, wished to marry a Mom Rajawongse commoner she would lose her royal title (Chao Fa, HRH Princess of Thailand) but retain royal style as follows:

  • Chao Fa, HRH Princess of Thailand: Tunkramom Ying (daughter of the sovereign with the queen)
  • Chao Fa, HRH Princess of Thailand: Somdet Ying (daughter of the sovereign with the royal consort)
  • Phra Ong Chao, HRH Princess of Thailand: Sadet Phra Ong Ying (daughter of the sovereign with the concubine)
  • Phra Ong Chao, HRH Princess of Thailand: Phra Ong Ying (daughter of the son of the sovereign with the queen and his royal consort)
  • Phra Ong Chao, HH Princess of Thailand: Than Phra Ong Ying (daughter of the son of the sovereign who was elevated from Mom Chao to Phra Ong Chao)
  • Mom Chao, HSH Princess of Thailand: Than Ying (daughter of the son of the sovereign and his consort, or great-granddaughter of the sovereign)

However, Chao Fa Chulabhorn Walailak received permission from the king to keep her title when she married commoner Virayudh Tishyasarin.

Nobility[edit]

The nobility of Siamese feudalism was enacted by Trailokkanat, king of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, in 1454. The Act of Sakdina of Civil, Military and Colony classified citizens by role and responsibilities: royal family, nobility, bhikkhus, commoners and slaves.

The nobility is part of the Thai honour system for rewarding bravery, achievement, or service to the monarch. The sovereign confers peerages, including titles of nobility and orders of chivalry. Thai peerage is an honour under the crown, and a holder can be withdrawn or elevated to higher rank. The peerage consists of a prefix signifying the rank (บรรดาศักดิ์ – Bandasakdi) and an honorific name (ราชทินนาม – Raja Dinnanam). Before the Siamese revolution of 1932, the peerage had four groups: royal, civil and military, courtiers and clergy.

Royal peerage[edit]

Enacted by King Narayana the Great, the peerage had Krom for managing their household and staffs. Feudal titles were granted until just after the 1932 Revolution brought an end to absolute monarchy, and for that matter, feudalism in Thailand. The titles are now obsolete, although on very rare occasions the king may still grant an honorary feudal title to a royal. The full title granted consists of a prefix, which signifies the rank (บรรดาศักดิ์ – Bandasak), and an honorific name (ราชทินนาม – Rachatinnanam), which can well be recycled. Taking the above example, the rank was "Luang" and the honorific name was "Narathiwat Rajanakarin". The appointee would use the full title in place of his names. However, as the honorific name can be repeated, when referring to a previous title holder, his former name may be written in a bracket to avoid confusion, for example: Phraya Kosathibodi (Lek) and Phraya Kosathibodi (Pan).[10]

It is again a bit more complicated with the Chao Fa and Phra Ong Chao. If given a feudal title, they are said to "Song Krom" (ทรงกรม – lit.: "take department", but probably more semantically related to "take office"). The title is prefixed with the word "Krom" (which will be pronounced "Kromma" when forming part of the name), appended to (not replacing) the former princely title. For example, the full title of the King's sister is "Somdej Phra Chao Pheenang Ther Chao Fa Galyani Vadhana Kromma Luang Narathivat Rajanakarin. Nevertheless, it is the princely title which will be more frequently omitted when contracting the title e.g. Somdej Phra Chao Boromawong Ther Kromma Phraya Damrong Rajanubhab (born Phra Ong Chao Disuankumaan). Feudal titles are not inheritable.[11] There are 5 feudal titles for prince/princess:

The ranks of royal peerage are:

Since the time of King Chulalongkorn, the honorific titles given to the royalties normally incorporate a city name or its modified form, and the holders are known in English as the Prince or Princess of that city.

The sovereign may grant titles to other royal-family members:

  1. Somdet Phra Prathom Borom Ratchachonok: HRH Prince Father of Rama I
  2. Somdet Phra Rupsirisobakya Mahanaknari: HRH Princess Rupsirisobakya Mahanaknari, Mother of Queen Amarindra
  3. Somdet Phra Piyamavadi Sri Bajarindra Mata: HRH Princess Piyamavadi Sri Bajarindra Mata, Mother of Queen Saovabha Bongsri
  4. Somdet Phra Sri Savarindira Barom Raja Devi: HM Queen Sri Savarindira, Queen Grandmother of Rama VIII and Rama IX
  5. Somdet Phra Mahitaladhibes Adulyadejvikrom Phra Borom Ratchachonok: HRH Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, Prince Father of Rama VIII and Rama IX
  6. Somdet Phra Debaratanarajasuda Chao Fa Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Rathasimagunakornpiyajat Sayamboromrajakumari: HRH Princess Sirindhorn, the Princess Royal (Daughter of Rama IX and Younger Sister of Rama X)

Civil and military peerage[edit]

Men[edit]

These titles were given only to men and were not inheritable, similar to a life peerage. European equivalents were also used on diplomatic missions. Although all are obsolete, Phan and Nai have modern meanings. Civil and military peerage had the following order of precedence:

  • Somdet Chao Phraya (สมเด็จเจ้าพระยา): His Excellency, the Prince ... x x ... (noble but not royal). Awarded under extraordinary circumstances only to those with great achievements, Somdet Chao Phraya is equivalent to royal peerage. Four people in Siamese history have received this title.
  1. Somdet Chao Phraya Maha Kshatriyas Suek: Granted by King Taksin of Thonburi
  2. Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Bijaya Yati: Granted by Rama IV
  3. Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Prayurawongse: Granted by Rama IV
  4. Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Sri Suriyawongse: Granted by Rama V
  • Chao Phraya (เจ้าพระยา): Conferred on the most-senior commissioned officer by a royal letter of appointment. Holders are informally addressed and referred to as "Chao Khun" (เจ้าคุณ). It has three classes:
  1. Gold Class (engraved title on gold leaf): For ministers who are Mom Rajawongse or Mom Luang; also awarded to commoners. Akin to a royal dukedom with the appellation "His Excellency."
  2. Silver Class (engraved title on silver leaf): For ministers who are commoners and other honorees. Akin to a non-royal dukedom with the appellation "His Grace."
  3. Regular Class: akin to that of a non-royal marquisate with the equivalent appellation of "The Most Honourable"
  • Phraya (พระยา): referred Chao Khun (เจ้าคุณ) Conferred on commissioned officers who were permanent secretary of a ministry, director-general, governor of an important city, commander-in-chief or chancellor of a royal office (Krom Phraya). Akin to that of a earl/count, but peerage is only for life unless it is a royal relative or specifically patented by the monarch. With the equivalent appellation of "The Right Honourable"
  • Phra (พระ): Conferred on commissioned officers who were Mom Rajawongse and the Chancellor of the Royal Office (Kromma Phra). Akin to that of being a viscount.
  • Luang (หลวง): Conferred on junior-level commissioned officers and the Chancellor of the Royal Office. Akin to that of a baronial title.
  • Khun (ขุน): Conferred on senior non-commissioned officers and the Chancellor of the Royal Office. Akin to that of a French "vidame" or a Spanish "Lord."
  • Muen (หมื่น): Conferred on non-commissioned officers and the Chancellor of the Royal Office. Akin to that of a British "baronetcy."
  • Phan (พัน): The lowest rank, conferred on non-commissioned officers. Akin to that of a knight.

Note: Chao Khun (เจ้าคุณ) equivalent to Lord in British terminology, used as a generic term to denote peerages of Phraya and Chao Phraya

Women[edit]

These titles were given only to women, and were non-hereditary. They were ordered as follows:

  • Than Phu Ying (ท่านผู้หญิง, High Lady) conferred on wives of Somdet Chao Phraya and Chao Phraya. Their title was Than Phu Ying plus her husband's honorific; for example, Than Phu Ying Yommaraj (Wife of Chao Phraya Yommaraj). When her husband died, the title changed to Than Phu Ying + name + husband's honorific; for example, Than Phu Ying Talab Yommaraj (Dowager of Chao Phraya Yommaraj; obsolete). Still conferred on married women who are Dame Grand Cross or Dame Grand Commander of the Order of Chula Chom Klao. Note: Than Phu Ying Sirikitiya Jensen appears to be unmarried.
  • Khun Ying (คุณหญิง, Lady) was conferred on wives of Phraya. The title was Khun Ying + husband's honorific; for example, Khun Ying Anuman Rajadhon (Wife of Phraya Anuman Rajadhon). When her husband died, her title changed to Khun Ying + name + husband's honorific; for example, Khun Ying Lamai Anuman Rajadhon (Dowager of Phraya Anuman Rajadhon). Still conferred on married women who are Commander, Companion or Member of the Order of Chula Chom Klao. If a woman is Mom Rajawongse or Mom Luang, she does not use Khun Ying.
  • Khun (คุณ, Madam) conferred on unmarried female recipients of the Order of Chula Chom Klao.
  • Than Ying (ท่านหญิง) is an informal title for Nang that used to be Mom Chao, but married to a lower status man. They can be promoted to higher titles by receiving higher class of the Order of Chula Chom Klao.
  • Nang (นาง) was conferred on wives of nobility below Phraya.

Peerage of Courtier[edit]

Men[edit]

  • Chao Muen (เจ้าหมื่น): Was conferred on a Lord Steward; above Phra and below Phraya.
  • Chamuen (จมื่น): Was conferred on the Chief-Commander of Royal Guard; above Phra and below Phraya.
  • Thao: Was conferred on a Lord Steward; above Luang and below Phra. (Obsolete)
  • Luang Mae Chao (จ่า): Was conferred on Senior Pages; equivalent to Luang.
  • Nai Hum Phrae (นาย หุ้มแพร): Was conferred on Senior Pages; equivalent to Khun.
  • Nai Rong Hum Phrae (นายรอง หุ้มแพร): Was conferred on Junior Pages; equivalent to Muen.

Women[edit]

Chao Khun (เจ้าคุณ), Thao (ท้าว), Luang Mae Chao (หลวงแม่เจ้า), and Cha (จ่า) are all obsolete.

Khun (courtesy title)[edit]

Khun (คุณ), a courtesy title pronounced with a middle tone, should not be confused with the similarly-spelled tree or the feudal title of Khun (ขุน, pronounced in a rising tone). The courtesy title is used for children born to a noble mother who gave up her title to marry a man of lesser rank; a notable example was the late Khun Poom Jensen. Today, this word is used informally to courteously address nearly anyone except those who hold a title of Mom Rajawongse or higher. It is T-V distinct from thoe (เธอ).[12]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Roberts, Edmund (12 October 2007) [First published in 1837]. "Chapter XIX―titles of the king". Embassy to the Eastern courts of Cochin-China, Siam, and Muscat: in the U. S. sloop-of-war Peacock ... during the years 1832-3-4. Harper & brothers. pp. 301–303. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  2. ^ Acharya, Amitav. "The "Indianization of Southeast Asia" Revisited: Initiative, Adaptation and Transformation in Classical Civilizations" (PDF). amitavacharya.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  3. ^ Coedes, George (1967). The Indianized States of Southeast Asia. Australian National University Press.
  4. ^ Lukas, Helmut (21–23 May 2001). "1 THEORIES OF INDIANIZATIONExemplified by Selected Case Studies from Indonesia (Insular Southeast Asia)". International SanskritConference.
  5. ^ Krom, N.J. (1927). Barabudur, Archeological Description. The Hague.
  6. ^ a b Smith, Monica L. (1999). ""Indianization" from the Indian Point of View: Trade and Cultural Contacts with Southeast Asia in the Early First Millennium C.E". Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient. 42 (11–17): 1–26. doi:10.1163/1568520991445588. JSTOR 3632296.
  7. ^ Krishna Chandra Sagar, 2002, An Era of Peace, Page 52.
  8. ^ Bodinthrathepphayawarangkun (conventionally Bodindradebayavarangkun) is a temporary name that will be used prior to King Vajiralongkorn's coronation.
  9. ^ "คนไทยรักนายหลวง" [Thai people love the King]. Community page. Google+. 31 August 2013. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  10. ^ "การสถาปนาพระบรมวงศานุวงศ์ให้ทรงกรม (คืออะไร หมายถึง ความหมาย) - Sanook! พีเดีย". Archived from the original on 30 July 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  11. ^ "เจ้าต่างกรม". Archived from the original on 22 July 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  12. ^ "Thai words for 'you'". Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2010.

References[edit]

  • Jones Robert B., 1971, Thai Titles and Ranks, Including a Translation of Royal Lineage in Siam by King Chulalongkorn, Data Paper No. 81. Ithaca: Southeast Asia Program, Department of Asian Studies, Cornell University
  • Finestone Jeffrey, 1989, The Royal Family of Thailand: The Descendants of King Chulalongkorn
  • Rabibhadana M.R. Akin, 1996, The Organization of Thai Society in the Early Bangkok Period 1782 – 1873
  • Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand, 2007, The King of Thailand in World Focus
  • "RID 1999". The Royal Institute of Thailand. Archived from the original (Online) on 3 March 2009. Select initial letter then enter full spelling

External links[edit]

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