Thai royal and noble titles

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 (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

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".

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

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 (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 (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 (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.

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 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.

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:

• Somdej Krom Phraya or Somdet Phra (สมเด็จพระ): 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 (สมเด็จกรมพระยา หรือ กรมสมเด็จพระ).
  • Queen Mothers:
    • Somdet Phra Amarindra Borommarachini: HM Queen Amarindra, Queen Mother of Rama II
    • 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
    • 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
  • Viceroys:
    • Somdet Phra Bowararat Chao Maha Sura Singhanat: HRH Prince Maha Sura Singhanat, Viceroy of Rama I
    • Somdet Phra Bowararat Chao Maha Senanurak: HRH Prince Maha Senanurak, Viceroy of Rama II
    • Somdet Phra Bowararat Chao Maha Sakdi Balasebya: HRH Prince Maha Sakdi Balasebya, Viceroy of Rama III
• Krom Phra (กรมพระ)
  • Krom Phra Srisavangvadhana: Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn, The Princess Srisavangvadhana, Daughter of Rama IX and Sister of Rama X
• Kromma Luang (กรมหลวง)
• Kromma Khun (กรมขุน) Chao Fa starts from this title
• Kromma Muen (กรมหมื่น) Phra Ong Chao starts from this title
  • Kromma Muen Suddhanarinatha: Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali, The Princess Suddhanarinatha, Mother of the First Child of Rama X

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)

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. All those who are commissioned as officers in the Armed Forces and Police begin in that level.
• 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. All new recruits to the Armed Forces and new police constables begin in that level if promoted to Lance Corporal or equivalent rank.

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

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.

• 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.

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