Order of the Direkgunabhorn

The Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn (เครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นที่สรรเสริญยิ่งดิเรกคุณาภรณ์) was established by King Rama IX on 22 July 1991 (B.E. 2534) to be bestowed upon those who have rendered devotional services to the Kingdom of Thailand.

Classes

The Order consists of 7 classes. Originally, the ribbon for each class was the same, with no device to distinguish the different level. On 31 January 2538 B.E. (1995 A.D.) the regulations were amended to include a device on the ribbon distinguishing the class.

First Class

• Knight Grand Cross of the Most Admirable Order of Direkgunabhorn

Thai: ปฐมดิเรกคุณาภรณ์ (bpà-tŏm dì-rêk kóo-naa-pon)

Postnominals: ป.ภ.

Insignia: A pendant, star and sash (the insignia for women is the same as for men, but of a smaller size)

Pendant: The pendant consists of a circular disc enamelled red, superimposed by a representation of a Garuda in gold. The central piece is surrounded by a silver band with eight silver rays and eight gold rays. The whole piece is topped with a gold crown and a starburst. The reverse is of gold disc, with the Royal Cyphers of King Rama IX enamelled in white.

Sash: The pendant is suspended from a green sash 10 cm wide, with red, white and yellow trims, to wear over the right shoulder to the left hip.

Star: The star is similar to the pendant, with a gilted crown and insignia on the uppermost arm of the star. A gold band with eight silver rays and eight gold rays surrounds the central disc. The back of the star is similar to that of the pendant. The star is worn on the left chest.

Second Class

• Knight Commander of the Most Admirable Order of Direkgunabhorn

Thai: ทุติยดิเรกคุณาภรณ์ (tóo dtì-yaa dì-rêk kóo-naa-pon)

Postnominals: ท.ภ.

Insignia: A pendant, star and silk band (the insignia for women is the same as for men, but of a smaller size)

Pendant: The pendant consists of a circular disc enamelled red, superimposed by a representation of a Garuda in gold. The central disc is surrounded by a silver band with eight silver rays and eight gold rays. The reverse is a gold disc, with the Royal Cyphers of King Rama IX enamelled in white. The whole piece is topped with a gold crown and a starburst.

Silk band: The pendant is attached onto a green silk band 4 cm wide, with red, white and yellow trims, to wear as collar. For women, it is worn on the left chest.

Star: The star is similar to the pendant, with a gilted crown and Insignia on the uppermost arm of the star. The gold band with eight silver rays and eight gold rays surrounds the central disc.

Third Class

• Commander of the Most Admirable Order of Direkgunabhorn

Thai: ตติยดิเรกคุณาภรณ์ (dtà-dtì-yaa dì-rêk kóo-naa-pon)

Postnominals: ต.ภ.

Insignia: A pendant only (the insignia for women is the same as for men, but of a smaller size)

Pendant: The pendant is similar to that for the Knight Commander, attached onto a silk band 4 cm wide, worn as a collar. For women, the pendant is worn on the front left shoulder.

Fourth Class

• Companion of the Most Admirable Order of Direkgunabhorn

Thai: จตุตถดิเรกคุณาภรณ์ (jà-dtòo dtòt dì-rêk kóo-naa-pon)

Postnominals: จ.ภ.

Insignia: A pendant only.

Pendant: The pendant is similar to that for the Commander, but is a smaller size with an additional silk rosette. It is attached onto a small silk band, and worn on the left chest. For women the pendant is attached to a silk ribbon with an additional rosette, and worn on the front left shoulder.

Fifth Class

• Member of the Most Admirable Order of Direkgunabhorn

Thai: เบญจมดิเรกคุณาภรณ์ (ben-jà-ma dì-rêk kóo-naa-pon)

Postnominals: บ.ม.

Insignia: A pendant only.

Pendant: The pendant is similar to that for the Companion, without the silk rosette.

Sixth Class

• The Gold Medal of the Direkgunabhorn

Thai: เหรียญทองดิเรกคุณาภรณ์ (rĭan tong dì-rêk kóo-naa-pon)

Postnominals: ร.ท.ภ.

Insignia: A gold medal, with a Garuda in the centre, surrounded with eight lotus leaves and topped with a gold crown, starburst and insignia. The reverse is engraved with the Royal Cyphers of King Rama IX.

Seventh Class

• The Silver Medal of the Direkgunabhorn

Thai: เหรียญเงินดิเรกคุณาภรณ์ (rĭan ngern dì-rêk kóo-naa-pon)

Postnominals: ร.ง.ภ.

Insignia: A silver medal, of the same design as the Gold Medal.

Eligibility

Membership of the Order can be gained via either "Devotional Service to the Kingdom", or by donation.

Service

Devotional service to the Kingdom is deemed to be met via the following criteria:

• Five years of devotional service to the Kingdom, from the last conferment.
• Outstanding service to the State, Religion and the People.
• Act of bravery for the State, Religion and the People.

The first Decoration to be conferred is the Silver Medal or Companion, in case of extraordinary service.

A deemed person may request the Silver Medal of the Direkgunabhorn be issued. Decorations of higher class can be attained through further years of excellent service, until the Knight Grand Cross class is reached. Deemed person's include:

• Person of Other Nationalities

can attain Member and Companion

• Sportsmen (Olympics, World Games, Asian Games, Asian Championship)

can attain Silver Medal to Companion

• Private School Personnel

can attain Member and Companion

• Private University Personnel

can attain Silver Medal to Knight Commander

• Researchers, Scientists, National Artists

can attain Companion

Donation

Donations for public use of cash, property or goods can also earn membership of the Order. The class obtained is relative to the amount donated, as per the following table:

External links

• The Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn, Secretariat to the Cabinet of Thailand