The Chakri dynasty is the current reigning

dynasty A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family, usually in the context of a monarchy, monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A dynasty may also be referred to as a "house", "family" or "clan", among others. H ...

of the

Kingdom of Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...

. The head of the house is the

king King is a royal title given to a male monarch. A king is an Absolute monarchy, absolute monarch if he holds unrestricted Government, governmental power or exercises full sovereignty over a nation. Conversely, he is a Constitutional monarchy, ...

, who is

head of state A head of state is the public persona of a sovereign state.#Foakes, Foakes, pp. 110–11 "

he head of state He or HE may refer to: Language * He (letter), the fifth letter of the Semitic abjads * He (pronoun), a pronoun in Modern English * He (kana), one of the Japanese kana (へ in hiragana and ヘ in katakana) * Ge (Cyrillic), a Cyrillic letter cal ...

being an embodiment of the State itself or representative of its international persona." The name given to the office of head of sta ...

. The family has ruled Thailand since the founding of the Rattanakosin era and the city of

Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...

in 1782; following the end of

Taksin King Taksin the Great (, , ) or the King of Thonburi (, ; ; Teochew: Dên Chao; 17 April 1734 – 7 April 1782) was the only king of the Thonburi Kingdom that ruled Thailand from 1767 to 1782. He had been an aristocrat in the Ayutthaya Kingdom ...

's reign, when the capital of Siam shifted to Bangkok. The royal house was founded by

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 ...

, an

Ayutthaya Ayutthaya, Ayudhya, or Ayuthia may refer to: * Ayutthaya Kingdom, a Thai kingdom that existed from 1350 to 1767 ** Ayutthaya Historical Park, the ruins of the old capital city of the Ayutthaya Kingdom * Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province (locall ...

military leader of

Sino Sino as a prefix generally refers to: * China * Greater China * Chinese people * Two Chinas * Culture of China * History of China The history of China spans several millennia across a wide geographical area. Each region now considered part ...

Mon Mon, MON or Mon. may refer to: Places * Mon State, a subdivision of Myanmar * Mon, India, a town in Nagaland * Mon district, Nagaland * Mon, Raebareli, a village in Uttar Pradesh, India * Mon, Switzerland, a village in the Canton of Grisons * A ...

descent. Prior to his accession to the throne, Rama I held for years the title Chakri, the civil chancellor. In founding the dynasty, the king himself chose "''Chakri''" as the name for it. The emblem of the house is composed of the discus (

Chakra A chakra (; ; ) is one of the various focal points used in a variety of ancient meditation practices, collectively denominated as Tantra, part of the inner traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. The concept of the chakra arose in Hinduism. B ...

) and the trident (

Trishula The ''trishula'' () is a trident, a divine symbol, commonly used as one of the principal symbols in Hinduism. It is most commonly associated with the deity Shiva and widely employed in his iconography. Etymology The name ''trishula'' ultimate ...

), the celestial weapons of the gods

Vishnu Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation ( ...

and

Shiva Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...

, of whom the Thai sovereign is seen as an incarnation. The current head of the house is

Vajiralongkorn 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 ...

who was proclaimed king on 1 December 2016, but has reigned with retroactive effect since 13 October 2016 after the death of his father

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 ...

. The house's current seat is the

Grand Palace The Grand Palace (, Royal Institute of Thailand. (2011). ''How to read and how to write.'' (20th Edition). Bangkok: Royal Institute of Thailand. . ) is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the officia ...

. On Saturday, 4 May 2019, the coronation of Vajiralongkorn, with the traditional ceremony, occurred in Bangkok.

Royal family

The present royal family of Thailand belongs to the House of Mahidol (; ), a

cadet branch A cadet branch consists of the male-line descendants of a monarch's or patriarch's younger sons ( cadets). In the ruling dynasties and noble families of much of Europe and Asia, the family's major assets (realm, titles, fiefs, property and incom ...

of the Chakri dynasty. The House was founded by Prince

Mahidol Adulyadej Mahitala Dhibesra Adulyadej Vikrom, the Prince Father ( , 1 January 1892 – 24 September 1929), formerly Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, Prince of Songkhla province, Songkhla () or Mahidol Songkla, was the father of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama (King ...

(1891–1929) and Princess

Srinagarindra Princess Srinagarindra (; ; 21 October 1900 – 18 July 1995) born Sangwan Talapat (; ) was a member of the Royal Thai Family. She was part of the House of Mahidol, which is descended from the Chakri dynasty and was founded by Prince Mahidol ...

(1900–1995). The Prince was a son of King

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

and his wife Queen

Savang Vadhana Sri Savarindira (; , 10 September 1862 – 17 December 1955), also known as Savang Vadhana (; ). She was a half-sister and queen of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). After her first grandson's accession to power in 1935, she became known as Her Ma ...

. The Prince was also the half-brother of both 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 ...

and King

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 ...

. After the death of King

Ananda Mahidol Ananda Mahidol (20 September 19259 June 1946) was the eighth Monarchy of Thailand, king of Siam (later Thailand) from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama VIII. At the time he was recognised as king by the National Assembly of Thailand, National ...

(Prince Mahidol's elder son), King

(the Prince's younger son) ascended the throne in 1946. In 1949 the King married his

first cousin once removed A cousin is a relative who is the child of a parent's sibling; this is more specifically referred to as a first cousin. A parent of a first cousin is an aunt or uncle. More generally, in the kinship system used in the English-speaking world, c ...

, Mom Rajawongse

Sirikit Kitiyakara Sirikit (born ''Mom Rajawongse'' Sirikit Kitiyakara; 12 August 1932) is a member of the Thai royal family who was Queen of Thailand from 28 April 1950 to 13 October 2016 as the wife of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). She is the mother of Ki ...

(a daughter of Mom Chao Nakkhatra Mangala Kitiyakara, a grandson of King Chulalongkorn). Bhumibol was succeeded by his son

officially on 13 October 2016, but was proclaimed King on 1 December 2016.

Members

This is a list of current members of the royal family: * The King and

Queen Queen most commonly refers to: * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a kingdom * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen (band), a British rock band Queen or QUEEN may also refer to: Monarchy * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Q ...

(the sovereign and his wife) ** The Princess Rajasarini Siribajra (the King's eldest daughter) ** Princess Sirivannavari (the King's youngest daughter) ** Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti (the King's youngest son and heir presumptive) ;Descendants of Rama IX * Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother (the King's mother) ** Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya (the King's elder sister) **

The Princess Royal Princess Royal is a title customarily (but not automatically) awarded by British monarchs to their eldest daughters. Although purely honorary, it is the highest honour that may be given to a female member of the royal family. There have been ...

(the King's younger sister) ** The Princess Srisavangavadhana (the King's younger sister) *** Princess Siribachudhabhorn (the King's niece) *** Princess Aditayadornkitikhun (the King's niece) ;Descendants of Rama V * The Princess Suddhanarinatha (the King's ex-wife and maternal first cousin) * Prince Chalermsuk Yugala (the King's paternal half-second cousin)

Other members

;Descendants of Rama V * Prince Nawaphan Yugala (the King's paternal half-second cousin) * Prince Thikhamphon Yugala (the King's paternal half-second cousin) * Prince Chatrichalerm Yugala (the King's paternal half-second cousin) * Prince Chulcherm Yugala (the King's paternal half-second cousin) * Princess Nopphadonchaloemsi Yugala (the King's paternal half-second cousin) ;Descendants of Rama IV * Prince Charunritdet Jayankura (the King's paternal half-first cousin twice removed) *

Princess Uthaikanya Bhanubandhu Princess Uthaikanya Bhanubandhu (; ; also spelled Udayakanya; born 24 October 1933) is a Princess of Thailand, a daughter of Nibandh Bhanubongs, The Prince Bhanubongs Biriyadej and one of his wife ''Mom'' Phayao Bhanubandhu na Ayudhya. She is of ...

(the King's paternal half-first cousin once removed)

Other noble relatives

* ''Royal Noble Consort''

Sineenat Bilaskalayani Niramon Ounprom (, ; nicknamed ''Koi''; , born 26 January 1985) is an army officer, member of the Thai royal court, and a former Thai nurse. She was named concubine and a long-time mistress of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, who grant ...

(the King's concubine) *

Sujarinee Vivacharawongse Sujarinee Vivacharawongse (; ; 26 May 1962), born Yuvadhida Polpraserth (; ), stage-named Yuvadhida Suratsawadee (; ) or nicknamed Benz (), is a Thai actress who was a consort and then the second wife of Vajiralongkorn, then the Crown Prince of ...

(the King's ex-wife and Princess Sirivannavari's mother) **

Juthavachara Vivacharawongse Juthavachara Vivacharawongse (, RTGS: ''Chuthawat Wiwatcharawong''; 29 August 1979) is a Thai-American aerospace engineer and member of the Thai Royal Family. Born as the first son of then Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, he fled Thailand after being ...

and Riya Gough (the King's eldest son & daughter-in-law) **

Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse (; ; born 27 May 1981), commonly referred to by Thai media as Than Oun (), is a Thai-American attorney and former member of the Thai Royal Family. Based in New York, Vivacharawongse is the second son of King Vajiralo ...

(the King's second son) **

Chakriwat Vivacharawongse Chakriwat Vivacharawongse ( Thai: จักรีวัชร วิวัชรวงศ์, RTGS: ''Chakkriwat Wiwatcharawong''; 26 February 1983) is a Thai-American doctor and member of the Thai Royal Family. Born as the third son and fourth ...

(the King's third son) **

Vatchrawee Vivacharawongse Vatchrawee Vivacharawongse ( Thai: วัชรวีร์ วิวัชรวงศ์, RTGS: ''Vatcharawee Wiwatcharawong''; 14 June 1985) is a Thai-American financier and member of the Thai Royal Family. Early life and education Vatchra ...

(the King's fourth son) * ''Dame''

Srirasmi Suwadee Srirasmi Suwadee (; ; born 9 December 1971), formerly Princess Srirasmi, Royal Consort to the Crown Prince of Thailand, is a former member of the royal family of Thailand. She was the third consort of then-Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (now ...

(the King's ex-wife and Prince Dipangkorn's mother) ;Descendants of Rama IX * Peter Ladd Jensen (Princess Ubolratana's ex-husband) ** ''Dame'' Ploypailin Jensen and David Wheeler (the King's niece & nephew-in-law) *** Maximus Wheeler (the King's grandnephew) *** Leonardo Wheeler (the King's grandnephew) *** Alexandra Wheeler (the King's grandniece) ** ''Dame'' Sirikitiya Jensen (the King's niece) * Virayudh Tishyasarin (the Princess Srisavangavadhana's ex-husband) ;Descendants of Mahidol Adulyadej * ''Dame'' Dhasanawalaya and Sinthu Sornsongkram (the King's paternal first cousin and her husband) ** Jitat and Jessica Sornsongkram (the King's paternal first cousin once removed and his wife) ;Descendants of Rama V * Induratana Paribatra (the King's paternal half-first cousin once removed) * ''Dame'' Wutchaloem Vudhijaya (the King's paternal half-first cousin once removed) * ''Dame'' Phansawali Kitiyakara (the King's paternal half-second cousin, maternal aunt by marriage, and the Princess Suddhanarinatha's mother) ** ''The Hon.'' Sarali Kitiyakara (the King's maternal first cousin and the Princess Suddhanarinatha's younger sister) * Phanuma Yugala (the King's paternal half-second cousin) * Sisawangwong Bunyachittradun (the King's paternal half-second cousin) * Phumaripihrom Schell and Jean-Marie Schell (the King's paternal half-second cousin and her husband) * Patthamanarangsi Senanarong (the King's paternal half-second cousin) * ''Dame'' Busba Sathanapong (the King's maternal aunt) ;Descendants of Rama IV * Phanwarophat Svetarundra (the King's paternal second cousin once removed)

Line of succession

''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 ...

(1804–1868)'' ** Simple silver crown

''King

(1853–1910)'' *** Simple silver crown

''King

(1881–1925)'' *** Simple silver crown

''King

(1893–1941)'' ***''

, Prince Father (1892–1929)'' **** Simple silver crown

''King

(1925–1946)'' **** Simple silver crown

''King

(1927–2016)'' ***** King

(born 1952) ****** (1) Prince

Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti of Thailand (; , ; born 29 April 2005) is a member of Thailand’s Chakri dynasty and Heir presumptive to the throne of Thailand. He is the fifth son and seventh and youngest child of King Vajiralongkorn; his moth ...

(born 2005) ****** (–)

(born 1979) ****** (–)

(born 1981) ****** (–)

(born 1983) ****** (–)

(born 1985) ****** (2) Bajrakitiyabha, Princess Rajasarini Siribajra (born 1978) ****** (3) Princess

Sirivannavari Sirivannavari (; ; ; born 8 January 1987) is a Thai princess and the only daughter of King Vajiralongkorn by his former consort Sujarinee Vivacharawongse (commonly known as Yuvadhida Polpraserth). She is also the only one of their children i ...

(born 1987) ***** (–) Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya (born 1951) ***** (4)

Sirindhorn Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Princess Royal () (born 2 April 1955) is a member of the Thai royal family. She is the second daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, and the younger sister of King Vajiralongkorn. Early life Birth S ...

, Princess Royal (born 1955) ***** (5) Chulabhorn, Princess Srisavangavadhana (born 1957) ***'' Yugala Dighambara, Prince of Lopburi (1882–1932)'' ****''Prince Bhanubandhu Yugala (1910–1995)'' ***** (6) Prince Nawaphan Yugala (born 1978) ****''Prince Chaloemphonthikhamphon (1913–1991)'' ***** *****(7) Prince Chalermsuk Yugala (born 1950) *****(8) Prince Thikhamphon Yugala (born 1951) ****''Prince Anusorn Mongkolkarn (1915–1998)'' *****(9) Prince Chatrichalerm Yugala (born 1942) *****(10) Prince Chulcherm Yugala (born 1947) **''Chaiyanuchit, Prince Phongsadisonmahip (1861–1936)'' ***(11) Prince Charunritthidet Jayankura (born 1933)

Notes

* Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya (born 1951), eldest daughter of King Rama IX, renounced her right of succession for herself and her heirs upon her marriage in 1972. *

(born 1979),

(born 1981),

(born 1983), and

(born 1985), the sons of King Rama X and

, are not in the line of succession to the throne.

History

Monarchs

Timeline

Front Palaces

The Maha Uparat (มหาอุปราช) or the Krom Phrarajawang Boworn Sathan Mongkol (Vice or Second King of Siam/Viceroy of Siam) (กรมพระราชวังบวรสถานมงคล) was an office that was bestowed on the highest ranking prince, frequently the monarch's younger brother or son. Until 1885 every Chakri monarch had appointed a prince to this office. The ''Uprarat'' and his miniature court would reside at the

Front Palace Krom Phra Ratchawang Bowon Sathan Mongkhon , colloquially known as the Front Palace (, ), was the title of the ''uparaja'' of Siam, variously translated as "viceroy", "vice king" or "Lord/Prince of the Front Palace", as the titleholder resided ...

(วังหน้า) (a palace complex to the north of the

, now the site of the

Bangkok National Museum The Bangkok National Museum (, ') is the main branch museum of the National Museum (Thailand), National Museums in Thailand and also one of the largest museums in Southeast Asia. It features exhibits of Thai art and History of Thailand, history ...

). By tradition the Uparat was designated the heir to the throne, however only Prince Itsarasunthon was able to ascend the throne as King

Phutthaloetla Naphalai 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 ...

. The office was extremely prestigious and carried with it almost equal status to the king, this can be seen in Prince Chutamani (younger brother of King

), who was elevated to Vice King

Pinklao Pinklao (; 4 September 1808 – 7 January 1866) was the viceroy of Siam. He was the younger brother of Mongkut, King Rama IV, who crowned him as a monarch with equal honor to himself. Early life Prince Chutamani was born on 4 September 1808, as ...

in 1851 (he carried with him the styles and titles of a King). The office was abolished by King Chulalongkorn when his Uparat and cousin Prince

Wichaichan Wichaichan () (6 April 1838 – 28 August 1885) was a Siamese prince and member of the Chakri dynasty. He was the eldest son of Viceroy Pinklao and Princess Aim, and thus nephew to King Mongkut (Rama IV). Wichaichan succeeded his father by ...

died. He then declared his oldest son the

crown prince A crown prince or hereditary prince is the heir apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The female form of the title, crown princess, is held by a woman who is heir apparent or is married to the heir apparent. ''Crown prince ...

of Siam, but not Uparat.

Rear Palace

Krom Phrarajawang Boworn Sathan Phimuk (กรมพระราชวังบวรสถานพิมุข), or the Rear Palace, was another office inherited from the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. However, since the founding of the dynasty there has only been one rear palace. Prince Anurak Devesh was the nephew of King Phutthayotfa Chualok (his mother Princess Thepsuthavadi was the king's elder sister) and was appointed to the office in 1785.

Crown Princes

The Crown Prince of Thailand or Sayam Makutrajakuman (สยามมกุฎราชกุมาร) is the designated and

heir apparent An heir apparent is a person who is first in the order of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting by the birth of another person. A person who is first in the current order of succession but could be displaced by the birth of a more e ...

to the throne and headship of the dynasty. The title was created in 1886 when King Chulalongkorn appointed his eldest son by Princess Consort Savang Vadhana, Prince

Vajirunhis Maha Vajirunhis, Crown Prince of Siam (; ; 27 June 1878 – 4 January 1895) was the first Crown Prince of the Chakri dynasty. He was the first son of King Chulalongkorn and Queen Savang Vadhana together, who were half-siblings. The King built a ...

as Sayam Makutrajakuman. The title was copied directly from the Western tradition. Since then, there have only been three crown princes. The most recent crown prince, Maha

, was invested with the title in 1972 and became King in 2016. The succession is governed by the

1924 Palace Law of Succession The Palace Law of Succession, Buddhist Era 2467 (1924) (; ) governs succession to the Throne of the Kingdom of Thailand, under the ruling House of Chakri. Succession matters prior to the end of absolute monarchy in 1932 could be contentious, ...

passed by King Vajiravudh.

Queens

Family tree

Cadet houses

Royal houses

Viceregal houses

Notes

References

External links

Chakri Dynasty and the City of Angels
(archived)
The Chakri Dynasty 1782
(archived)

{{Authority control Culture of Thailand Cults of personality Monarchy of Thailand Thai royalty 1780s in Siam 1790s in Siam 19th century in Siam 20th century in Thailand 21st century in Thailand 1782 establishments in Siam

Royal family

Members

Other members

Other noble relatives

Line of succession

Notes

History

Monarchs

Timeline

Front Palaces

Rear Palace

Crown Princes

Queens

Family tree

Cadet houses

Royal houses

Viceregal houses

See also

Notes

References

External links