The precedence of Thai royalty follows a system of ranks known as ''thanandon'' (), which are accompanied by royal titles.

The Sovereign

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'' ( เจ้า; ) 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'' (; His Majesty King

Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej (5 December 192713 October 2016), titled Rama IX, was King of Thailand from 1946 until Death and funeral of Bhumibol Adulyadej, his death in 2016. His reign of 70 years and 126 days is the longest of any List of Thai mo ...

). **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'' () and ''Phra Bat Somdet Phra Paramindara Maha

Prajadhipok Prajadhipok (8 November 1893 – 30 May 1941) was the seventh king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama VII. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to political and social changes during the 1932 Siamese revolution. He i ...

Phra Pokklao Chao Yu Hua'' (). *Uncrowned kings: ''Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua'' (), 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'' (; His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun).

Consorts

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. There were no clear rules about the hierarchy of titles above Chao Chom until the time of King

Mongkut Mongkut (18 October 18041 October 1868) was the fourth Monarchy of Thailand, king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama IV. He reigned from 1851 until his death in 1868. The reign of Mongkut was marked by significant modernization ini ...

, 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 Vajiravudh (1 January 188126 November 1925) was the sixth Monarchy of Thailand, king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama VI. He reigned from 1910 until his death in 1925. King Vajiravudh is best known for his efforts to create and pro ...

's 1924 enactment of the Succession Law.

Princes and princesses

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 An epithet (, ), also a byname, is a descriptive term (word or phrase) commonly accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a real or fictitious person, place, or thing. It is usually literally descriptive, as in Alfred the Great, Suleima ...

for a king. Children of a king are called ''Luk Luang'' ( ลูก หลวง "royal children"), and grandchildren of a king are called ''Laan Luang'' ( หลาน "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 An honorific is a title that conveys esteem, courtesy, or respect for position or rank when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term "honorific" is used in a more specific sense to refer to an Honorary title (academic), h ...

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

Viceroy's children

Sovereign's grandchildren

Sovereign's nephew or niece

Viceroy's grandchildren

Sovereign's great-grandchildren

Royal descendants

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

''Mom Rajawongse'' (หม่อมราชวงศ์, ; 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) (). 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

''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" ().

na Ayudhya

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

Wives of princes have titles, depending on the titles on both sides.

Phra Vorachaya

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

Phra Chaya

''Phra Chaya'' () 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

''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)".

Moam

''Moam (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, Moam Srirasmi Mahidol na Ayudhya (a wife of Chao Fa Maha Vajiralongkorn, whose surname is Mahidol). If she has her own title (''Moam Rajawongse'' or ''Moam Luang''), she retains it.

Married princesses

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) ** Tunkramom Ying Ubolratana Rajakanya, formerly ''Somdet Phra Chao Luk Thoe Chao Fa'' Ubolratana Rajakanya * 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) * 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.

Royal peerage

In addition to royal ranks and titles, royals may also receive noble titles in the style of the nobility. These are referred to as ''krom'' () titles. While the granting of noble titles ceased with the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932, on very rare occasions the king may still grant an honorary noble title to a royal. The noble title, which consists of a rank and a title, is appended to the royal name and title, prefixed with the word ''krom'' (pronounced ''kromma'' when forming part of the title). For example, the full title of the King's sister is "Somdej Phra Chao Pheenang Ther

Chao Fa Saopha (), also spelled Sawbwa, was the title used by hereditary rulers of Shan states in Upper Myanmar. Chaopha and Chao Fa were similar titles used by the hereditary Tai rulers in mainland Southeast Asia and the Ahom kingdom in India. Nam ...

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 Prince Tisavarakumara, the Prince Damrong Rajanubhab (; Full transcription is "Somdet Phrachao Borommawongthoe Phra-ongchao Ditsawarakuman Kromphraya Damrongrachanuphap" (สมเด็จพระเจ้าบรมวงศ์เธอ พ� ...

'' (born Phra Ong Chao Disuankumaan). There are 5 feudal titles for prince/princess: The ranks of royal peerage are: * Somdej Krom Phraya or Somdet Phra (): Highest rank of royal peerage, usually granted to the Queen Mother, Princess Mother and Maha Uparaj. ''Somdet Phra'' was created by Rama VI, replacing ''Krom Somdet'' (). ** Queen Mothers: *** ''Somdet Phra'' Amarindra Borommarachini: HM Queen Amarindra, Queen Mother of

Rama II Phutthaloetla Naphalai (born Chim; 24 February 1767 or 1768 – 21 July 1824), also known by his regnal name Rama II, was the second King of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, ruling from 1809 to 1824. In 1809, Itsarasunthon succeeded his father R ...

*** ''Somdet Phra'' Suriyendra Borommarachini: HM Queen Sri Suriyendra, Queen Mother of Rama IV *** ''Somdet Phra'' Debsirindra Borommarachini: HM Queen Debsirindra, Queen Mother of

Rama V Chulalongkorn (20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910), posthumously honoured as King Chulalongkorn the Great, was the fifth Monarchy of Thailand, king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama V. Chulalongkorn's reign from 1868 until his ...

*** ''Somdet Phra'' Sri Bajarindra Borommarachininat: HM Queen Sri Bajarindra, Queen Mother of Rama VI and Rama VII ** Princess Mothers: *** ''Somdet Phra'' Sri Sulalai: HRH Princess Sri Sulalai, Princess Mother of Rama III *** ''Somdet Phra'' Srinagarindra Borommaratchachonnani: HRH Princess Srinagarindra, Princess Mother of Rama VIII and

Rama IX Bhumibol Adulyadej (5 December 192713 October 2016), titled Rama IX, was King of Thailand from 1946 until Death and funeral of Bhumibol Adulyadej, his death in 2016. His reign of 70 years and 126 days is the longest of any List of Thai mo ...

** Viceroys: *** ''Somdet Phra'' Bowararat Chao Maha Sura Singhanat: HRH Prince Maha Sura Singhanat, Viceroy of

Rama I Phutthayotfa Chulalok (born Thongduang; 20 March 1737 – 7 September 1809), also known by his regnal name Rama I, was the founder of the Rattanakosin Kingdom (now Thailand) and the first King of Siam from the reigning Chakri dynasty. He asc ...

*** ''Somdet Phra'' Bowararat Chao Maha Senanurak: HRH Prince Maha Senanurak, Viceroy of

*** ''Somdet Phra'' Bowararat Chao Maha Sakdi Balasebya: HRH Prince Maha Sakdi Balasebya, Viceroy of Rama III *Krom Phra () ** ''Krom Phraya'' Chakkrabatradipongse: His Royal Highness Prince Chaturonrasmi, The Prince Chakkrabatradipongse, Son of Rama IV and Brother of

** ''Krom Phraya'' Devawongse Varopakar: His Royal Highness Prince Devan Udayawongse, The Prince Devawongse Varopakar, Son of Rama IV ** ''Krom Phraya'' Bhanubandhu Vongsevoradej: His Royal Highness Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse, The Prince Bhanubandhu Vongsevoradej, Son of Rama IV and Brother of

** ''Krom Phraya'' Vajirananavarorasa: His Royal Highness Prince Manuṣyanāgamānob, The Prince Vajirananavarorasa, Son of Rama IV ** ''Krom Phraya'' Narathip Praphanphong: His Royal Highness Prince Voravanakara, The Prince Narathip Praphanphong, Son of Rama IV ** ''Krom Phraya'' Damrong Rajanubhab: His Royal Highness Prince Tisavarakumarn, The Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, Son of Rama IV ** ''Krom Phraya'' Svastivatana Visishtha: His Royal Highness Prince Svasti Sobhana, The Prince Svastivatana Visishtha, Son of Rama IV ** ''Krom Phraya'' Nakhon Sawan: His Royal Highness Prince Paribatra Sukhumbandhu, Prince of Nakhon Sawan, Son of

** ''Krom Phraya'' Kamphaeng Phet: His Royal Highness Prince Purachatra Jayakara, Prince of Kamphaeng Phet, Son of

** ''Krom Phraya'' Chai Nat: His Royal Highness Prince Rangsit Prayurasakdi, Prince of Chai Nat, Son of

** ''Krom Phra'' Srisavangvadhana: Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn, The Princess Srisavangvadhana, Daughter of

and Sister of

Rama X Vajiralongkorn (born 28 July 1952) is King of Thailand. He is the tenth Thai monarch of the Chakri dynasty since ascending the throne in 2016 with the regnal name Rama X. The only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirik ...

*Kromma Luang () ** ''Kromma Luang'' Samorarattanasirijeshtha: Her Royal Highness Princess Somavadi, The Princess Samorarattanasirijestha, Daughter of Rama IV ** ''Kromma Luang'' Bijitprijakara: His Royal Highness Prince Gagananga Yugala, The Prince Bijitprijakara, Son of Rama IV ** ''Kromma Luang'' Phromwaranurak: His Royal Highness Prince Kashemsanta Sobhaga, The Prince Phromwaranurak, Son of Rama IV ** ''Kromma Luang'' Dibyaratana Kiritkulini: Her Royal Highness Princess Nabhabhorn Prabha, The Princess Dibyaratana Kiritkulini, Daughter of Rama IV ** ''Kromma Luang'' Ratchaburi: His Royal Highness Prince Raphi Phatthanasak, Prince of Ratchaburi, Son of

** ''Kromma Luang'' Nakhon Chai Si: His Royal Highness Prince Chirapravati Voradej, Prince of Nakhon Chai Si, Son of

** ''Kromma Luang Si'' Rattanakosin: Her Royal Highness Princess Suddha Dibyaratana, Princess of Rattanakosin, Daughter of

** ''Kromma Luang'' Chumphon: His Royal Highness Prince Abhkara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon, Son of

** ''Kromma Luang'' Nakhon Ratchasima: His Royal Highness The Hereditary Prince Asdang Dejavudh, Prince of Nakhon Ratchasima, Son of

, Brother of Rama VI and Rama VII ** ''Kromma Luang'' Bishnulok: His Royal Highness The Hereditary Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath, Prince of Bishnulok, Son of

, Brother of Rama VI and Rama VII ** ''Kromma Luang'' Lopburi: His Royal Highness Prince Yugala Dighambara, Prince of Lopburi, Son of

** ''Kromma Luang'' Sing Buri: His Royal Highness Prince Vudhijaya Chalermlabha, Prince of Sing Buri, Son of

** ''Kromma Luang'' Phetchaburi Rajasirindorn: Her Royal Highness Princess Valaya Alongkorn, Princess of Phetchaburi, Daughter of

** ''Kromma Luang'' Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra: Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, Princess of Naradhiwas, Sister of Rama VIII and

** ''Kromma Luang'' Rajasarini Siribajra: Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, The Princess Rajasarini Siribajra, Daughter of

*Kromma Khun () Chao Fa starts from this title ** ''Kromma Khun'' Khattiyakanlaya: Her Royal Highness Princess Kannikakaew, The Princess Khattiyakanlaya, Daughter of Rama IV ** ''Kromma Khun'' Suphan Bhakdi: Her Royal Highness Princess Srivilailaksana, Princess of Suphanburi, Daughter of

** ''Kromma Khun'' Phichit Jessadachandra: Her Royal Highness Princess Chandra Saradavara, Princess of Phichit, Daughter of

** ''Kromma Khun'' Sawankhalok Laksanavadi: Her Royal Highness Princess Yaovamalaya Narumala, Princess of Sawankhalok, Daughter of

** ''Kromma Khun'' Nakhon Si Thammarat: His Royal Highness Prince Sommatiwongse, Prince of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Son of

** ''Kromma Khun'' Si Satchanalai: Her Royal Highness Princess Malini Nobhadara, Princess of Si Satchanalai, Daughter of

** ''Kromma Khun'' Uthongket Khattiyanari: Her Royal Highness Princess Nibha Nobhadol, Princess of U Thong, Daughter of

** ''Kromma Khun'' Phetcabun: His Royal Highness Prince Chudadhuj Dharadilok, Prince of Phetcabun, Son of

, Brother of Rama VI and Rama VII *Kromma Muen () Phra Ong Chao starts from this title ** ''Kromma Muen'' Mahisara Rajaharudaya: His Royal Highness Prince Jayanta Mongkol, The Prince Mahisara Rajaharudaya, Son of Rama IV ** ''Kromma Muen'' Phichai: His Royal Highness Prince Benbadhanabongse, Prince of Phichai, Son of

** ''Kromma Muen'' Suddhanarinatha: Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali, The Princess Suddhanarinatha, Mother of the First Child of

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: # ''Somdet Phra'' Prathom Borom Ratchachonok: HRH Prince Father of

# ''Somdet Phra'' Rupsirisobakya Mahanaknari: HRH Princess Rupsirisobakya Mahanaknari, Mother of Queen Amarindra # ''Somdet Phra'' Piyamavadi Sri Bajarindra Mata: HRH Princess Piyamavadi Sri Bajarindra Mata, Mother of Queen Saovabha Bongsri # ''Somdet Phra'' Sri Savarindira Barom Raja Devi: HM Queen Sri Savarindira, Queen Grandmother of Rama VIII and Rama IX # ''Somdet Phra'' Mahitaladhibes Adulyadejvikrom Phra Borom Ratchachonok: HRH Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, Prince Father of Rama VIII and Rama IX # ''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)

Notes

References

* 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 *

External links

Pronunciation of Thai royal and noble titles at www.forvo.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thai Royal And Noble Titles Monarchy of Thailand