Thai royal and noble titles
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The Thai royal and noble titles signify distance of the bearers from the King. The system is somewhat complicated and usually not well understood even by most Thai people. A particular title may not be confined to just the beginning or the end of the name, but may be split across the name as will be demonstrated. Another point of note about the titles is that the King has the power to bestow any title on anybody, regardless of the rule. However, such promotion is personal and the children of the person will not normally benefit from it (see, for example, Phra Worawong Ther Phra Ong Chao).
[edit] Title for a king
There are two titles which can be used for a king.
[edit] Phrabat Somdej Phra Chao Yu Hua
Phrabat Somdej Phra Chao Yu Hua (พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว) is the normal title used by the kings of Thailand (Siam). There are two ways that this title can be used:
- It can precede the name of the king, for example: Phrabat Somdej Phra Chao Yu Hua Bhumibol Adulyadej. This type of usage is less formal than the next possibility.
- It can be split across the name, possibly with omission or modification of the words "Phra Chao Yu Hua". For example: Phrabat Somdej Phra Paraminthara Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej, Phrabat Somdej Phra Paraminthara Maha Prajadhipok Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua.
[edit] Somdej Phra Chao Yu Hua
Somdej Phra Chao Yu Hua (สมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว) is restricted to a king who has not yet gone through coronation. Once crowned, he will use the title Phrabat Somdej Phra Chao Yu Hua. This particular title normally precedes the king's name, since he has not yet been given a ceremonial name.
[edit] Title for a royal consort
Traditionally, titles of the royal wives depended both on their birth titles and royal favour. Only the princesses who are of high birth (Chao Fa, Phra Ong Chao, Mom Chao Ying) would be able to take up titles higher than Chao Chom. There were no clear rule about the hierarchy of the titles above Chao Chom until the time of King Mongkut; even then the titles kept changing over the successive reigns.
The rule about commoners also seems to be evolving over time; it appears that there are no more restrictions keeping a commoner from becoming queen.
Most of the titles listed here are taken from the time King Vajiravudh enacted the Succession Law in 1924.
[edit] The queen
Only the holders of the titles listed here -- all containing the word "rajini" -- are the queens in the Western sense, although the concept of queen was only introduced first in the reign of King Rama V. There can be only one "rajini" at a time. The actual title depends on the status of the holder.
[edit] Somdej Phra Boromarajininat
Somdej Phra Boromarajininat (สมเด็จพระบรมราชินีนาถ -- the Queen Regent) is the highest rank among the royal wives. This title shows that its holder has acted as a regent. (The word "nat" at the end of the title means "supporter".) This title is normally used in the form of:
- "Somdej + [honorific name] + Phra boromarajininat"
or
- "Somdej Phra Nangchao + [name] + Phra boromarajininat".
For example, Queen Sawaphaphongsri (born as Phra Ong Chao Sawaphaphongsri, one of King Chulalongkorn's half-sisters and wives), was given a honorific name of "Phra Sri Patcharindra" when she was invested the queen regent; her name was thus Somdej Phra Sri Patcharindra Boromarajininat. As for the current Queen of Thailand, her name has been retained, thus: Somdej Phra Nangchao Sirikit Phra Boromarajininat.
[edit] Somdej Phra Boromarajini
Somdej Phra Boromarajini (สมเด็จพระบรมราชินี) is the title of a queen who has never acted as a regent. The King conferred this title to Queen Sirikit on his coronation. She was then known as Somdej Phra Nangchao Sirikit Phra Boromarajini.
[edit] Somdej Phra Rajini
Somdej Phra Rajini (สมเด็จพระราชินี) is a somewhat temporary title held by the most prestigious royal wife of a king who has not yet been crowned (see also Somdej Phra Chao Yu Hua, above). This title is appended to the front of the queen's name. Queen Sirikit held this title as "Somdej Phra Rajini Sirikit" for seven days prior to King Bhumibol's coronation.
[edit] Other royal consorts who were born princesses
The following titles can traditionally only be held by the royal consorts who were born princesses, that is, holding the title of Chao Fa, Phra Ong Chao, or Mom Chao Ying. Together with the queen, they are known as Phra Panya Chao (พระภรรยาเจ้า -- 'royal wives').
[edit] Somdej Phra Boromarajathevi
Somdej Phra Boromarajathevi (สมเด็จพระบรมราชเทวี) had been the most prestigious title among the royal wives until King Chulalongkorn created the Rajini titles. Only one person can hold this title at any one time, for example Somdej Phra Nangchao Sunanthakumarirat Phra Boromarajathevi (born Phra Ong Chao Sunanthakumarirat, another half-sister and wife of King Chulalongkorn). The holder of this title is the first royal consort (as compared to being a queen).
[edit] Phra Nangchao Phra Rajathevi / Phra Nangchao Phra Akra Rajathevi
Phra Nangchao ... Phra Rajathevi / Phra Nangchao ... Phra Akra Rajathevi (พระนางเจ้า...พระราชเทวี / พระนางเจ้า...พระอัครราชเทวี) is a lesser title than Somdej Phra Boromarajathevi. Queen Sri Pacharindra (see above) used to hold this title as Phra Nangchao Sawaphaphongsri Phra Akra Rajathevi before she was made queen regent.
[edit] Phra Nang Ther
Phra Nang Ther (พระนางเธอ) is the title of a royal wife of lesser importance than Phra Nangchao Phra Rajathevi. This title usually prefixes a honorific name, for example: Phra Nang Ter Laksamilawan, one of the wives of King Vajiravudh.
[edit] Phra Akra Chaya Ther
Phra Akra Chaya Ther (พระอัครชายาเธอ) is the next prestigious title to Phra Nang Ther. In contrast to the previous titles, this title prefixes the previous title of the holder including the royal title from birth, for example: Phra Akra Chaya Ther Phra Ong Chao Sawapak Narirat (born Mom Chao Sawanapak Narirat, a cousin and wife of King Chulalongkorn), as oppose to Phra Nangchao Sawaphaphongsri Phra Akra Rajathevi, who were born Phra Ong Chao Sawaphaphongsri.
[edit] Phra Racha Chaya
Phra Racha Chaya (พระราชชายา) existed only during the reign of King Chulalongkorn. The only holder of this title was Phra Racha Chaya Chao Dara Rasmi, a princess ('Chao') from the Thipjakrathiwong dynasty of Chiang Mai. Technically, she was a "commoner" from the point of view of the Chakri dynasty, and was thus initially appointed as a Chao Chom. She was later 'ennobled' and given this particular title, which, although higher in status than Chao Chom, was still the most junior among the royal wives who were born princesses.
[edit] Royal consorts who were born commoners
[edit] Chao Chom
Chao Chom (เจ้าจอม) is the only title held by the royal wives who were born as commoners (Mom Rajawongse and below). If they were successful in producing a child for the king, the title would be changed to Chao Chom Manda (เจ้าจอมมารดา). This title also prefixes previous royal titles; for example: Chao Chom Mom Rajawongse Sadab (born Mom Rajawongse Sadab Laddawan).
[edit] Title for a royal descendant
Generally speaking, a child of a holder of the following titles inherits the title which is one step below. However, the inheritance is on the male line only: a female Mom Rajawongse married to a plain commoner would produce a child with no title. (However, see Khun (courtesy title) below.) Tradition also requires that a princess asks for royal permission and surrenders her title if she wishes to marry a man of lesser title, e.g. if a female Chao Fa wishes to marry a male Mom Rajawongse. This happened in recent time to Chao Fa Ubolratana Rajakunya, the daughter of the current king, who had to give up her title of Chao Fa to marry a commoner (who was also a foreigner and one of her her professors when she was studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the USA). She still retains the style of "Tunkramom Ying", though. However, her sister, Chao Fa Chulabhonwalailak, was granted permission by the King to keep her title when she married Sqn. Ldr. Weerayut Disayasirin, a commoner.
The rules are also slightly complicated for the first two classes Chao Fa and Phra Ong Chao.
[edit] The 'princes'
Holders of these titles are still considered royal as they are at most two generations down from a king. Collectively, those who are children of a king are called "Loog Luang" (ลูกหลวง -- 'royal children') and those who are grand-children of a king are called "Laan Luang" (หลานหลวง -- 'royal grand-children'). In English translation, they are normally called "princes". Special forms of language are also used when one wishes to speak to them, although the language is less elaborate than when speaking to the king or the queen. A male Loog Luang who does not accede to the throne would also start a new royal surname, which normally reflects his birth name (as opposed to an honorific name 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 grand-children first hold the title of Mom Chao, when the surname will first appear in their names.
[edit] Chao Fa
Chao Fa (เจ้าฟ้า) is the most senior class of the royal family after the royal couple. Traditionally, their mother must be a princess. Holders of this title actually consist of three classes:
- Chao Fa of the First Class (เจ้าฟ้าชั้นเอก -- Chao Fa Chan Aeg). These are the princes/princesses born to the queen or to a royal consort who is also a Loog Luang. They would traditionally be referred to as "Tunkramom Chai(m)/Tunkramom Ying(f)" (ทูลกระหม่อมชาย/ทูลกระหม่อมหญิง), although nowadays they are more commonly called Chao Fa.
- Chao Fa of the Second Class (เจ้าฟ้าชั้นโท -- Chao Fa Chan Tho). These are the princes/princesses born to a royal consort who is also a Laan Luang. They would traditionally be referred to as "Somdej Chai(m)/Somdej Ying(f)" (สมเด็จชาย/สมเด็จหญิง).
- Chao Fa of the Third Class (เจ้าฟ้าชั้นตรี -- Chao Fa Chan Tri). These are the princes/princesses that are specially or born to Krom Phrarachawangbowon (กรมพระราชวังบวร).
[edit] Phra Ong Chao
Phra Ong Chao (พระองค์เจ้า) is a lesser class of the princes than Chao Fa. They could be either:
- Phra Chao Boromawongse Ther Phra Ong Chao (พระเจ้าบรมวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า) These are the princes who are Phra Ong Chao by birthright which are children of a king and a Chao Chom Manda (a consort who was born commoner).
- Phra Chao Worawongse Ther Phra Ong Chao (พระเจ้าวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า) Generally, these are the princes who are grandchildren or nephews/nieces of a king or by special appointment. The categories are as follow:
- Children of a Chao Fa and a princess (Phra Ong Chao, or Mom Chao Ying). Their children may hold the title of Mom Chao if royal permission is granted.
- Children of a Phra Chao Boromawongse Ther Phra Ong Chao and a princess whose rank is Phra Ong Chao.
- Mom Chao to whom the king granted a special appointment to become a Pra Chao Worawongse Ther Pra Ong Chao (e.g. Mom Chao Chula-Chakrabonse's appointment to Phra Chao Worawongse Ther Phra Ong Chao by H.M. King Rama VI). The children of this category of Phra Ong Chao will be treated as children of Mom Chao and will hold the title of Mom Rajawongse.
- Phra Worawong Ther Phra Ong Chao (พระวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า). These are:
- Mom Chao whom the king granted this higher title, either as a recognition to their merit, or as a special favour. An example of this is Phra Worawong Ther Phra Ong Chao Nakkatra Mongkol Kromma Mhun Chandaburi Suranat, father of Queen Sirikit, who was born Mom Chao Nakkatra Mongkok Kitiyakorn (note that his surname is omitted now that he has become a Phra Ong Chao). This title is however personal, and his children would still be treated as children of a Mom Chao (i.e. inherit the title of Mom Rajawongse rather than Mom Chao).
- Children of a Somdej Chao Fa whose grandmothers were queens of Rama V received the royal permission of H.M. King Rama VII to hold the title of Phra Worawongse Ther Pra Ong Chao even though their mothers were commoners. An example of this is Phra Worawongse Ther Pra Ong Chao Bhumibhol Adulyadej, currently H.M. King Rama IX who is the son of Somdej Phra Boromawongse Ther Chao Fa Kroma Luang Songkhlanakarin and Mom Sangwal who was a commoner.
[edit] Mom Chao
Mom Chao(m)/Mom Chao Ying(f) (หม่อมเจ้า/หม่อมเจ้าหญิง, abbreviated in Thai as ม.จ.) is the most junior class still considered royalty. This is normally when surnames first appear among royal lineages. In English they are equated to the rank of "Serene Highness." They are either:
- Children of a Chao Fa and a commoner.
- Children of a Phra Ong Chao (of the first type).
Informally, they are styled Than Chai(m).../Than Ying(f)... (ท่านชาย.../ท่านหญิง...).
[edit] The 'commoners'
The rest of royal progeny, starting from the children of Mom Chao, are considered commoners. They still retain their titles, indicating that their ancestry can be traced back to a king.
[edit] Mom Rajawongse
Mom Rajawongse (หม่อมราชวงศ์, abbreviated in Thai as ม.ร.ว. and sometimes in English as M.R.) are children of Mom Chao. Informally, they may be styled as Khun Chai(m).../Khunying(f)... (คุณชาย.../คุณหญิง...). (Khunying is also a formal title given to married ladies who have been granted at least the Order of Chulachomklao, Fourth Class.) Holders of this title are occasionally called princes/princesses in English translation, especially in older documents; it is more common these days to use the word "Mom Rajawongse".
[edit] Mom Luang
Mom Luang (หม่อมหลวง, abbreviated in Thai as ม.ล. and sometimes in English as M.L.) are the last royal descendants still retaining a title. Colloquially, though incorrectly, they are sometimes addressed as "Mom"; the correct informal address is "Khun".
[edit] What happens after Mom Luang?
The children and subsequent descendants of Mom Luang do not hold any title. However, they may append the word "Na Ayudhya" (ณ อยุธยา) to their surname, signifying a royal blood line.
[edit] Miscellaneous titles of the royal descendants
[edit] Mom (royalty)
Mom (หม่อม) has a rather ill-defined status among the hierarchy of the royal titles. Holder of this title can be either:
- a royal of Mom Rajawongse class, who has been granted this particular title by the king in recognition of his merit. Technically, this is a feudal title, equivalent to the title Phraya granted to commoners; it is thus written without a space. The title is granted together with a honorific name, and is used without a surname, for example: Mom Anuwatworapong (หม่อมอนุวัตรวรพงษ์), who was born as Mom Rajawongse Singhanad Pramoj (หม่อมราชวงศ์ สิงหนัด ปราโมช).
- a former prince whose title has been stripped off as a punishment. He would still be known as Mom... .
[edit] Khun (courtesy title)
Khun (คุณ) is a courtesy title for children born to a noble mother who gave up her title to marry a man of lesser title. This is pronounced in lower tone, and not to be confused with Khun (ขุน), pronounced in higher tone, which is a feudal title. In modern days, this word is used informally to courteously address virtually everybody, apart from those who actually hold a title of Mom Rajawongse or higher.
[edit] Title of a wife to a prince
Wives of the princes also have titles. Again, this depends on the titles of both sides.
[edit] Phra Chaya
Phra Chaya (พระชายา) is a princess married to either Chao Fa or Phra Ong Chao. 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]".
[edit] Chaya
Chaya (ชายา) is a princess who married to a Mom Chao. 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]".
[edit] Mom (wife)
Mom (หม่อม) in this context is a commoner married to a prince. She will use this title to prefix her name and add the word Na Ayudhya to her new surname, for example: Mom Sriras Mahidol Na Ayudhya (a wife of Chao Fa Maha Vajiralongkorn, whose surname is Mahidol). When referring to her as a wife of the prince before she was elevated to the rank of Phra Ong Chao, she may be called "Mom Nai [Husband's name]".
[edit] Feudal titles
Feudal titles were granted until just after the 1932 Revolution brought an end to absolute monarchy, and for that matter, feudalism in Thailand. It is now largely obsolete, although on rare occasions, the king may still grant an (honorary) feudal title to a royal. The latest title granted was "Kromma Luang Narathiwat Rajanakarin" (translated as "Princess of Narathiwat", literally "Viscountess of Narathiwat, Ruler of the Royal City") to Princess Galyani Vadhana, the King's sister.
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).
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). There are 5 feudal titles for prince/princess
- Somdej Krom Phraya (from Rama VI) or Krom Somdej Phra (Rama IV - Rama V) (สมเด็จกรมพระยา หรือ กรมสมเด็จพระ)
- Krom Phra (กรมพระ)
- Kromma Luang(กรมหลวง)
- Kromma Knun (กรมขุน) Chao Fa starts from this title
- Kromma Muen (กรมหมื่น) Phra Ong Chao starts from this title
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/Princess of that city.
Feudal titles are not inheritable.
[edit] Feudal titles for male commoners
These titles are given only to males and not inheritable.
[edit] Somdej Chao Phraya
Somdej Chao Phraya (สมเด็จเจ้าพระยา) is the most senior among the ranks. It is awarded under extraordinary circumstances only to those with great achievements. This title is equivalent to that of a prince.
There have only been 4 persons in Siam's history to be elevated to this title. The first was granted by King Taksin of Thonburi to Chao Phraya Chakri who later become King Rama I of Bangkok; two were granted by King Rama IV; and the last was granted by King Rama V.
[edit] Chao Phraya
Chao Phraya (เจ้าพระยา) is the most senior rank commonly granted. It is normally bestowed upon commners who served as Ministers of State. Holders of this title are informally addressed and referred to as "Chao Khun" (เจ้าคุณ) (2nd person: Chao Khun; 3rd person: Chao Khun + [honorific name]).
[edit] Phraya
Phraya (พระยา) is next in term of seniority. Similar to Chao Phraya, holders of this title are also informally addressed and referred to as "Chao Khun" (เจ้าคุณ).
[edit] Phra and Jamhun (or Phranai)
Phra (พระ) is further down the line. Holders of this title are informally addressed and referred to as "Khun Phra" (คุณพระ) (2nd person: Khun Phra; 3rd person: Khun Phra + [honorific name]). Jamhun (จมื่น หรือ พระนาย) is a senior title equivalent to Phara, given only to the Head of the king's servants (มหาดเล็ก).
[edit] Luang
Luang (หลวง). Still further down the line, holders of this title are informally addressed and referred to as "Khun Luang" (คุณหลวง) (2nd person: Khun Luang; 3rd person: Khun Luang + [honorific name]).
[edit] Khun
Khun (ขุน). This is pronounced with higher tone (as oppose to Khun (คุณ) in lower tone). Informally, they are addressed as "Than Khun" (ท่านขุน). The last living holder of the title was believed to be Pol Maj-Gen Khun Phantharak Rajadej (Butr Phantharak) who died in 2006, age 103.
[edit] Mhun
Mhun (หมื่น) is one of the lower ranks, usually held by relatively junior officers.
[edit] Pan
Pan (พัน), a yet lower rank, and not considered very noble. This title is held by junior officers, especially those in rural areas.
[edit] Nai
Nai (นาย), one step up from being a Prai (ไพร่ -- plain commoner). This is the most junior among the ranks, and is not normally considered noble.
[edit] Feudal titles for female commoners
The title for women who are commoners used to be Thao (ท้าว).
For example, Thao Thepkrasattri, Thao Seesunthon, and Thao Suranaree, are famous heroines in Thai history. This title is no longer in use.
King Rama V created the titles currently in use for women. The king grants the titles for women on the his birthday every year. These are the only titles for commoners that have survived in modern day usage, since the titles for men are no longer in use.
[edit] Than Phu Ying
Than Phu Ying (ท่านผู้หญิง) is the highest title for a woman and is equivalent to the British title of Dame.
[edit] Khun Ying
Khun Ying (คุณหญิง) is a title for married woman lower than Than Phu Ying. An unmarried woman is styled Khun (คุณ). It is equivalent to the British title of Lady.
