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The Thai nobility was a social class comprising titled officials (''khunnang'', th, ขุนนาง) in the service of the monarchy. They formed part of a hierarchical social system which developed from the time of the
Ayutthaya Kingdom The Ayutthaya Kingdom (; th, อยุธยา, , IAST: or , ) was a Siamese kingdom that existed in Southeast Asia from 1351 to 1767, centered around the city of Ayutthaya, in Siam, or present-day Thailand. The Ayutthaya Kingdom is conside ...
(14th century – 1767), through the
Thonburi __NOTOC__ Thonburi ( th, ธนบุรี) is an area of modern Bangkok. During the era of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, its location on the right (west) bank at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River had made it an important garrison town, which is ...
(1767–1782) and early Rattanakosin (1782 onwards) periods. Reforms by King
Chulalongkorn Chulalongkorn ( th, จุฬาลงกรณ์, 20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910) was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, titled Rama V. He was known to the Siamese of his time as ''Phra Phuttha Chao Luang'' (พร ...
ended the system around the end of the 19th century, though noble titles continued to be granted until the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932.
Thai Thai or THAI may refer to: * Of or from Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia ** Thai people, the dominant ethnic group of Thailand ** Thai language, a Tai-Kadai language spoken mainly in and around Thailand *** Thai script *** Thai (Unicode block ...
noble titles comprise a rank and a title, which denote the holder's post or office. Unlike in European aristocracies, Thai noble titles were not inherited, but individually granted based on personal merit. Nevertheless, familial influence was substantial, and some families were able to accumulate large amounts of wealth and power, especially during the 17th to 19th centuries.


History

While the use of noble rank and title words are found in the documents of many early
Tai Tai or TAI may refer to: Arts and entertainment *Tai (comics) a fictional Marvel Comics supervillain *Tai Fraiser, a fictional character in the 1995 film ''Clueless'' *Tai Kamiya, a fictional character in ''Digimon'' Businesses and organisations ...
city states including Sukhothai, the earliest extensive descriptions are from the administrative reforms introduced in 1448 by King
Borommatrailokanat Borommatrailokkanat ( th, บรมไตรโลกนาถ, , sa, Brahmatrailokanātha) or Trailok (1431–1488) was the king of the Ayutthaya Kingdom from 1448 to 1488. He was one of many monarchs who gained the epithet ''King of White Ele ...
of Ayutthaya, which by then had become the dominant polity in the region. The reforms established official titles for high-ranking ministers of the ''
chatusadom Chatusadom or Catustambha ( th, จตุสดมภ์ , literally "Four Pillars" from Sanskrit ''Catur'' "Four" + ''Stambha'' "Pillars") was the Thai system of central executive governance during the Ayutthaya Kingdom, Thonburi Kingdom and Rat ...
'' system, and the rank of ''phra'' was added to the previously used ''khun'' and ''nai'', in order to accommodate the expanding machinery of government. (The ranks ''luang'' and ''okya'' were further introduced during the mid- and late-16th century, respectively.) The ''
sakdina ''Sakdina'' ( th, ศักดินา) was a system of social hierarchy in use from the Ayutthaya to early Rattanakosin periods of Thai history. It assigned a numerical rank to each person depending on their status, and served to determine their ...
'' system, which assigned a numeral rank representing the amount of land one was entitled to own, was also officially described. Nobles were not directly remunerated for their service, but enjoyed earnings and benefits derived from their office and the work of commoners (''
phrai ''Sakdina'' ( th, ศักดินา) was a system of social hierarchy in use from the Ayutthaya to early Rattanakosin periods of Thai history. It assigned a numerical rank to each person depending on their status, and served to determine their ...
'') under their command. Unlike in European aristocracies, Thai noble titles were not inherited, but individually granted by the king or his ministers based on personal merit. Noble families could, however, present their sons to the royal household, placing them at an advantage to succeeding in those positions. This practice became especially influential from the 17th century, when war subsided and commerce flourished, leading personal patronage to displace martial ability as the determining factor for promotions. Several noble families gained much power and influence during the late Ayutthaya period, and even more so during early Rattanakosin; some, such as the Bunnags, effectively became as powerful as the monarchy. King
Chulalongkorn Chulalongkorn ( th, จุฬาลงกรณ์, 20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910) was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, titled Rama V. He was known to the Siamese of his time as ''Phra Phuttha Chao Luang'' (พร ...
(Rama V, r. 1868–1910) introduced reforms that ended the system that allowed nobles to command manpower, and transformed titled nobles into paid officials under a modern civil service system. His successor
Vajiravudh Vajiravudh ( th, วชิราวุธ, , 1 January 188126 November 1925) was the sixth monarch of Siam under the Chakri dynasty as Rama VI. He ruled from 23 October 1910 until his death in 1925. King Vajiravudh is best known for his efforts ...
(Rama VI, r. 1910–1925) introduced a military-style promotion-based rank system, superseding the traditional titles, though they could still be granted at the king's discretion. Following the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932, royal decrees issued during the government of
Plaek Phibunsongkhram Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram ( th, แปลก พิบูลสงคราม ; alternatively transcribed as ''Pibulsongkram'' or ''Pibulsonggram''; 14 July 1897 – 11 June 1964), locally known as Marshal P. ( th, จอมพล ...
in 1942 abolished the use of noble titles and the rank system. While the decree abolishing titles was repealed by the
Khuang Aphaiwong Khuang Aphaiwong (also spelled ''Kuang'', ''Abhaiwong'', or ''Abhaiwongse''; th, ควง อภัยวงศ์, ; 17 May 1902 – 15 March 1968), also known by his noble title Luang Kowit-aphaiwong ( th, หลวงโกวิทอ ...
government two years later, allowing previously held titles to be reinstated, the granting of noble titles never resumed after 1932.


Noble titles

Thai noble titles comprise a rank (, ) and a title (, ), which denote the holder's post or office (, ). For example, Chaophraya Chakri was the full title of the ''
samuhanayok Chatusadom or Catustambha ( th, จตุสดมภ์ , literally "Four Pillars" from Sanskrit ''Catur'' "Four" + ''Stambha'' "Pillars") was the Thai system of central executive governance during the Ayutthaya Kingdom, Thonburi Kingdom and Rat ...
'', one of the king's two chief ministers. ''Chaophraya'' was the highest rank of the nobility, and ''Chakri'' was the title associated with the post. The titleholder would also have received a numerical rank under the ''sakdina'' system. Most major titles were tied to the post, and shared by successive holders, while others could be created specifically for a person. The latter was the case especially from the late 19th century, as the proliferation of officials necessitated the creation of a large number of titles. Nobles would be known almost exclusively by their current title. Historical references to holders of shared titles conventionally include the person's birth name in parentheses, e.g. ''Chao Phraya Chakri (Mut)'', who was chief minister under King
Taksin King Taksin the Great ( th, สมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช, , ) or the King of Thonburi ( th, สมเด็จพระเจ้ากรุงธนบุรี, ; ; Teochew dialect, Teochew: Dên ...
. The ranks, in descending order, are: *''Chaophraya'' (); particularly esteemed individuals were referred to as ''somdet chaophraya'' and were appointed by the king. *''Phraya'' (); historically also appeared as ''okya'' (), probably from the equivalent Khmer term ''
oknha ''Oknha'' ( km, ឧកញ៉ា, ) is a Khmer honorific. It has different meanings depending on the period it was used. Linguistics The word means "nobleman" or "lord". The translation of "''Oknha''" is not unanimous. Leaning on the meaning of ...
''. *''Phra'' () *''Luang'' () *''Khun'' () *''Muen'' () *''Phan'' () *''Nai'' ()


Posts and titles

Some of the noble posts and titles include:


Chief ministers

The ''samuhanayok'' was head of the
Mahatthai Chatusadom or Catustambha ( th, จตุสดมภ์ , literally "Four Pillars" from Sanskrit ''Catur'' "Four" + ''Stambha'' "Pillars") was the Thai system of central executive governance during the Ayutthaya Kingdom, Thonburi Kingdom and Rat ...
. During the Ayutthaya period, office-holders took the title ''Chakri'', with the rank of ''phraya''. The rank was increased to ''chaophraya'' during Thonburi, and in Rattanakosin individualized titles were granted to each appointee. According to the
Three Seals Law The ''Three Seals Law'' or ''Three Seals Code'' ( th, กฎหมายตราสามดวง; ) is a collection of law texts compiled in 1805 on the orders of King Rama I of Siam. Most of the texts were laws from the Ayutthaya era which ha ...
, the ''samuhanayok'' had a ''sakdina'' of 10,000. The ''samuhakalahom'' was head of the
Kalahom Chatusadom or Catustambha ( th, จตุสดมภ์ , literally "Four Pillars" from Sanskrit ''Catur'' "Four" + ''Stambha'' "Pillars") was the Thai system of central executive governance during the Ayutthaya Kingdom, Thonburi Kingdom and Rat ...
. Like the ''samuhanayok'', the post had a ''sakdina'' of 10,000. Most of office-holders were titled ''Chaophraya Mahasena'' well into the Rattanakosin period.


Ministers

Four ministers headed the four government departments of the ''chatusadom''. By the Rattanakosin period, the head of the Krom Mueang or Nakhonban were titled ''
Yommarat Yommarat ( th, ยมราช) is a Thai noble title historically given to the minister of the Krom Mueang or Nakhonban, one of the four ministries under the ''chatusadom'' system, charged with keeping the peace in the capital. Holders of the ti ...
'', with most having the rank of ''chaophraya''. The head of the Krom Wang was titled ''Thammathikon'' after the department, or ''Thammathikoranathibodi''. Most heads of the Krom Phra Khlang took the rank and title ''Chaophraya Phra Khlang''. The heads of Krom Na or Kasettrathikan had the rank and title ''Chaophraya Phonlathep''.


Governors

Governorships were major noble positions, with several types of posts depending on the importance of the city. Each city had its associated noble title, e.g. ''Surasi'' for
Phitsanulok Phitsanulok ( th, พิษณุโลก, ) is an important, historic city in lower northern Thailand and is the capital of Phitsanulok Province. Phitsanulok is home to Naresuan University and Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, as well as ...
, ''Surinluechai'' for
Phetchaburi Phetchaburi ( th, เพชรบุรี, ) or Phet Buri () is a town (''thesaban mueang'') in southern Thailand, capital of Phetchaburi Province. In Thai, Phetchaburi means "city of diamonds" (''buri'' meaning "city" in Sanskrit). It is approx ...
, ''Wichitphakdi'' for
Chaiya Chaiya ( th, ไชยา, ) is a former capital district ('' Amphoe mueang'') of Surat Thani province, Southern Thailand. The main town is Talat Chaiya. Geography Neighboring districts are (from the south clockwise): Tha Chang and Kapoe of R ...
, ''
Aphaiphubet Aphaiphubet ( th, อภัยภูเบศร) is a Thai noble title granted to some governors of Battambang, who acted as rulers of western Cambodia during the period of Siamese rule from 1794 to 1907. Past titleholders all came from what is ...
'' for
Phra Tabong Phra Tabong Province ( th, พระตะบอง) was a province of Thailand, from the late-18th century until it was ceded to French Indochina in 1907, and again between 1941-1946 after Thailand recaptured it during the Japanese occupation of ...
(
Battambang Battambang ( km, បាត់ដំបង, UNGEGN: ) is the capital of Battambang Province and the third largest city in Cambodia. Founded in the 11th century by the Khmer Empire, Battambang is the leading rice-producing province of the coun ...
), etc.


References

{{reflist Ayutthaya Kingdom Thonburi Kingdom Rattanakosin Kingdom