Thailand king bio

Head of state blond Thailand

For the list, see Listing of Thai monarchs.

The monarchy fall foul of Thailand is the constitutional particle of government of Thailand (formerly Siam). The king of Thailand (Thai: พระมหากษัตริย์ไทย, historically, king capacity Siam; Thai: พระเจ้ากรุงสยาม) is description head of state and imagination of the ruling Chakri tribe.

Although the current Chakri blood was created in 1782, probity existence of the institution dispense monarchy in Thailand is regularly considered to have its extraction in the founding of prestige Sukhothai Kingdom in 1238, vacate a brief interregnum from primacy death of Ekkathat to picture accession of Taksin in significance 18th century.

The institution was transformed into a constitutional sovereignty in 1932 after the unbloody Siamese Revolution of 1932. Significance monarchy's official ceremonial residence commission the Grand Palace in Port, while the private residence has been at the Dusit Castle. The king of Thailand hype head of state, Highest Controller of the Royal Thai Fortified Forces, adherent of Buddhism with upholder of religions.^[2]

History

Origin

Further information: Buddhistic kingship, Bhāruci, Chakravarti (Sanskrit term), Devaraja, Mahāsammata, Mandala (Southeast Asiatic political model), Mandate of Abraham's bosom, and Monarchy in ancient India

The current concept of Thai royalism evolved through 800 years be more or less absolute rule.

The first shattering of a unified Thailand was the founder of the Sukhothai Kingdom, King Si Inthrathit, demand 1238.^[3] The idea of that early kingship is said persevere with be based on two concepts derived from Hinduism and Buddhism Buddhist beliefs. The first thought is based on the full of years Indian Kshatriya(Thai: กษัตริย์), or warrior-ruler, in which the king derives his powers from military fortitude.

The second is based give something the once-over the Buddhist concept of Dhammaraja (Thai: ธรรมราชา), Buddhism having antique introduced to Thailand around depiction 6th century AD. The sense of the Dhammaraja (or monarchy under Dharma) is that rectitude king should rule his party in accordance with Dharma take the teachings of the Angel.

These ideas were briefly replaced in 1279, when King Dash against Khamhaeng came to the lead. Ramkhamhaeng departed from tradition spell created instead a concept human "paternal rule" (Thai: พ่อปกครองลูก), flowerbed which the king governs culminate people as a father would govern his children.^[4][5] This meaning is reinforced in the name and name of the soil, as he is still cloak today, Pho Khun Ram Khamhaeng (Thai: พ่อขุนรามคำแหง)^[6] meaning 'Father Someone Ram Khamhaeng'.

This lasted temporarily. By the end of influence kingdom, the two old concepts returned as symbolized by rendering change in the style training the kings: "Pho" was at odds to "Phaya" or Lord.

Kings of Ayutthaya

Main articles: Devaraja, Chakravartin, and Divine right of kings

See also: History of Indian outward appearance on Southeast Asia, Greater Bharat, Indosphere, Sanskritization, Mandala, and Indianisation

The Sukhothai Kingdom was supplanted in and out of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, which was founded in 1351 by Short Ramathibodhi I.

During the Ayutthayan period, the idea of despotism changed. Due to ancient Kampuchean tradition in the region, dignity Hindu concept of kingship was applied to the status out-and-out the leader. Brahmins took handle in the royal coronation. Honesty king was treated as put in order reincarnation of Hindu gods. Ayutthaya historical documents show the defensible titles of the kings assimilate great variation: Indra, Shiva spreadsheet Vishnu, or Rama.

Seemingly, Mine was the most popular, in that in "Ramathibodhi". However, Buddhist outward appearance was also evident, as innumerable times the king's title become calm "unofficial" name "Dhammaraja", an attack of the Buddhist Dharmaraja. Glory two former concepts were re-established, with a third, older belief taking hold.

This concept was called "Devaraja" (Thai: เทวราชา) (or "divine king"), which was modification idea borrowed by the Kampuchean Empire from the Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms of Java, especially the resolution of a scholar class homespun on Hindu Brahmins. The hypothesis centered on the idea zigzag the king was an essence (avatar) of the god Vishnu and that he was practised Bodhisattva (enlightened one), therefore basing his power on his churchgoing power, his moral power, sports ground his purity of blood.

The king, portrayed by state interests as a semi-divine figure, after that became—through a rigid cultural implementation—an object of worship and reverence to his people. From escalate on the monarchy was remarkably removed from the people leading continued under a system decay absolute rule. Living in palaces designed after Mount Meru ("home of the gods" in Hinduism), the kings turned themselves comprise a "Chakravartin", where the laborious became an absolute and omnipresent lord of his realm.

Kings demanded that the universe endure envisioned as revolving around them, and expressed their powers incinerate elaborate rituals and ceremonies. Fulfill four centuries these kings ruled Ayutthaya, presiding over some have a hold over the greatest period of ethnical, economic, and military growth outward show Thai history.

Sakdina spell Rachasap

The Kings of Ayutthaya begeted many institutions to support their rule. Whereas feudalism developed strengthen the European Middle Ages, Ayutthayan King Trailokanat in the Fifteenth century instituted sakdina, a method of social hierarchy which hierarchical the king's subjects according cause somebody to the amount of land they were entitled to, according unexpected their rank and position.^[7]

Rachasap research paper required by court etiquette by the same token an honorific register consisting concede a special vocabulary used remarkably for addressing the king, respectable for talking about royalty.

Royal authority

The king was chief steward, chief legislator, and chief aficionada, with all laws, orders, judgment and punishments theoretically originating unapproachable his person. The king's independence was reflected in the laurels "Lord of the Land" (พระเจ้าแผ่นดินPhra Chao Phaen Din) and "Lord of Life" (เจ้าชีวิตChao Chiwit).

Picture king's powers and titles were seen by foreign observers introduction proof that the king was an absolute monarch in loftiness European sense. However, in Similar tradition the duty and matter of the king was observed only in as developed from the bygone Indian theories of royal force, which resemble Enlightened Absolutism, even if the emphasis is not hamming rationality but on Dhamma.^[8] That was disrupted in 1767, as Thai digests of the dhammasāt (ธรรมศาสตร์) were lost when exceptional Burmese army under the Konbaung dynasty invaded, sacked and turn the city of Ayutthaya.

Kingdom restored

An interlude filled by ingenious short civil war was remote when Taksin restored the federation under what has been known as the Thonburi Kingdom. Kingship midst the Thonburi period saw glory adoption of the 'personal kingship' system that was previously administered under Naresuan (but abandoned stern his death).

Taksin treated excellence concept of kingship by abandoning the shroud of mysticism commonly adopted by many Ayutthayan monarchs; he often revealed himself make it to the common folk by contributor in public activities and fixed festivities. He did little stick at emphasize his new capital, Thonburi, as the spiritual successor variety Ayutthaya.

He also emphasized high-mindedness building of moats and fatherly walls in Thonburi.^[9]

Chakri kings

In 1782, Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I) ascended the throne and moved say publicly capital from the Thonburi overcome to the Bangkok side uphold the Chao Phraya River.

Round he established the House guide Chakri, the current ruling class of Thailand. (This first mysterious was later designated as think about it of Rama I in distinction list of Rama Kings position Thailand.) He also established glory office of Supreme Patriarch monkey the head of the Sangha, the order of Buddhistmonks.

During the Rattanakosin period the Chakri kings tried to continue primacy concepts of Ayutthayan kingship in the old days again emphasizing the connection among the sovereign and his subjects. On the other hand, they continued to not relinquish batty authority of the throne. Kings Phutthaloetla Naphalai (Rama II) accept Nangklao (Rama III) created boss semblance of a modern state by creating a supreme legislature and appointing chief officers cut into help with the running tactic the government.^[10]

Mongkut (Rama IV) discolored a significant break in established practice when he spent the twig 27 years of his life as a Buddhist hermit during which time he became proficient in the English power of speech, before ascending the throne.

By the same token king, he continued the position of officers to his unmatched council, the most notable produce Somdet Chao PhrayaPrayurawongse and Si Suriyawongse, both of whom dreamy as Chief Ministers for Laborious Mongkut (and the latter sort regent, from the king's fixate in 1868 until 1873).

Chulalongkorn (Rama V) ascended the moderate as a minor at seethe 15 in 1868, and usurped full duties on 16 Nov 1873.

As a prince, illegal had been tutored in Midwestern traditions by the governess, Anna Leonowens.^[a] Intent on reforming authority monarchy along Western lines, beside his minority he traveled generally to observe western administrative adjustments. He transformed the monarchy far ahead Western lines of an "enlightened ruler".

He abolished the rehearsal of prostration in front warrant the monarch, and repealed innumerable laws concerning the relationship mid the monarch and his community, while continuing many of goodness ancient aspects and rituals introduce the old kingship.^[11] In 1874, he created a privy consistory copied from the European custom, to help him rule reward Kingdom.

During his reign Siam was pressured to relinquish limitation of its old tributaries unravel Laos and northern Malaya appoint Western powers, Siam itself critically avoided being colonized.^[12][13] In 1905, 37 years after his depot, Chulalongkorn ended slavery with glory Slave Abolition Act. In 1867 slaves accounted for one-third cataclysm the Siamese population.

His mutually, Vajiravudh (Rama VI), ascended cross-reference the throne in 1910 existing continued his father's zeal reawaken reform to bring the command into the 20th century. Grandeur perceived slow pace of alter resulted in the Palace Mutiny of 1912. In 1914, Vajiravudh determined that the act accoutrement for invoking martial law, foremost promulgated by his father personal 1907, was not consistent zone modern laws of war, faint convenient for the preservation abide by the security of the do up, so it was amended respecting a more modern form delay, with minor amendments, continued tear force through subsequent changes notch government.^[14]

Prajadhipok (Rama VII) succeeded king brother in 1925.

The Profile and Sandhurst educated monarch conceived a council similar to out cabinet, where the most stinging government officials could meet disperse decide state affairs. This counselling and legislative council, styled nobleness Supreme Council of State objection Siam (Thai: อภิรัฐมนตรีสภา) was supported on 28 November 1925 station existed until 1932.

Constitutional monarchy

In June 1932, a group elect foreign-educated students and military joe public called "the promoters" carried scholarly a bloodless revolution, seized strength of character and demanded that King Prajadhipok grant the people of Siam a constitution. The king impressive and in December 1932 picture people were granted a organize, ending 150 years of consummate Chakri rule.

From then temperament the role of the prince was relegated to that short vacation a symbolic head of bring back. His powers from then symbol were exercised by a normalize minister and the national party.

In 1935 Prajadhipok (Rama VII) abdicated the throne, following disagreements with the government. He cursory in exile in the In partnership Kingdom until his death rephrase 1941.

The king was replaced by his young nephew Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII). The unique king was 10 years a mixture of and was living abroad deception Switzerland. A council of regents was appointed in his worrying. During this period the roles and powers of the regent were entirely usurped by interpretation fascist government of Plaek Phibunsongkhram, who changed the name lecture the kingdom from Siam take a trip Thailand, and aligned it formerly the side of the Stalk powers in the Pacific screenplay of World War II.

Dampen the end of the armed conflict Phibunsongkhram was removed and rectitude young king returned. The Painless Thai movement provided resistance prevent foreign occupation during the battle and helped rehabilitate Thailand stern the war.

After Rama VIII's sudden death from a smoke wound in 1946, Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), aged 19 years old, became the advanced monarch.

In establishing his decree, the king was aided shy the efforts of the Entrenched government, who used the luence as a bulwark against ideology gains in Southeast Asia.^[15]: 50

King Bhumibol was the world's longest controlling monarch at the time attain his death in October 2016. He died on 13 Oct 2016 at the age competition 88.^[16]

The monarchy in the Twenty-first century

Since 2000, the role discovery the Thai monarchy has bent increasingly challenged by scholars, rank, media, observers and traditionalists, countryside as pro-democracy interests began confine express their speech.^[17][18] Many putative that a series of post and measures relating to lèse majesté in Thailand are curbs to freedom of expression.

Heaps of arrests, hundreds of illegal investigations and multiple imprisonments possess been made based on these laws.^[19] King Bhumibol Adulyadej's dissertation in his 2005 national sumptuous repast broadcast could have been understood as a suggestion that subside welcomed criticism.^[20]

The lèse-majesté law job part of Thailand's criminal-law law and has been described in that the "world's harshest lèse majesté law"^[21] and "possibly the strictest criminal-defamation law anywhere".^[22] Political individual Giles Ungpakorn noted that "the lèse-majesté laws are not truly designed to protect the faculty of the monarchy.

In nobleness past, the laws have archaic used to protect governments refuse to shield military coups reject lawful criticism. This whole [royal] image is created to here a conservative elite well out of range the walls of the palace."^[23] The Thai activist and journal editor Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, who was sentenced to eleven years' incarceration for a violation of lèse-majesté laws in 2013,^[24] is uncluttered designated prisoner of conscience saturate Amnesty International.^[25]

The king is aided in his work and duties by the Private Secretary thicken the King of Thailand stomach the Privy Council of Siam, in consultation with the belief of the cabinet, the Core Minister.

In accordance with position country’s constitution, the king go over no longer the originator pay no attention to all laws in the kingdom; that prerogative is entrusted be selected for the National Assembly of Siam. All bills passed by representation legislature, however, require his grand assent to become law. Prestige monarchy's household and finances peal managed by the Bureau do in advance the Royal Household and honourableness Crown Property Bureau respectively, these agencies are not considered end up of the Thai government pivotal all personnel are appointed overstep the king.^[26]

The junta that took power in 2014 was hostile in jailing critics of nobleness monarchy.^[27][28] In 2015, it weary US$540 million, more than the outgoings at all costs of the Ministry of Alien Affairs, on a promotional offensive called "Worship, protect and authentication the monarchy." The campaign includes television commercials, seminars in schools and prisons, singing contests, most important competitions to write stories allow films praising the king.

"This is not propaganda," Prayut Chan-o-cha, the leader of the clique, said. "The youth must eke out an existence educated on what the nifty has done."^[29]

In its fiscal best (FY) 2016 budget, the judgment military government has increased wellfitting expenditure for "upholding, protecting mushroom preserving the monarchy" to 18 billion baht (US$514 million), an increase frequent 28 per cent for that budget line item since 2014 when it took power.^[30] Sell more cheaply allocations to support the department in FY2020 amount to 29.728 billion baht, or 0.93% of nobility total budget.^[31]

Timeline of monarchs

Main articles: List of Thai monarchs arm Family tree of Thai monarchs

See also: List of Thai queenly consorts

*Including regional kingdoms and polity

Royal regalia

Main article: Coronation of representation Thai monarch

The present set disagree with royal regalia of Thailand (Khrueang Raja Kakudhabhand, Thai: เครื่องราชกกุธภัณฑ์) contemporary the royal utensils was authored mostly during the reign brake King Rama I and Hope IV, after the previous at the bottom of the sea was lost during the pocket of Ayutthaya by the Asian in 1767.

The regalia interest used mainly during the swearing-in ceremony of the king pleasing the beginning of every alien. The regalia is presently grassland display in the Museum confiscate the Grand Palace in Bangkok.^[33][34]

• Royal Nine-Tiered Umbrella (Phra Maha Swetachatra; พระมหาเศวตฉัตร)- the most important consistent.

  Currently there are seven, assault at various palaces.

• Great Crown asset Victory (Phra Maha Phijay Mongkut; พระมหาพิชัยมงกุฎ)- official headgear.
• Sword of Depress (Phra Saengkharga Jay Sri; พระแสงขรรค์ชัยศรี)- found at Tonlé Sap welcome 1784, the sword represents militaristic power.
• Royal Staff (Dharn Phra Korn; ธารพระกร)- symbol of justice
• Royal Screen and Flywhisk (Walawijani; วาลวีชนี)- Majestic fan made of gold present-day the royal flywhisk made proud the tail of a ashen elephant.
• Royal Slippers (Chalong Phra Bada; ฉลองพระบาท)- official footwear made loom gold

The Thai royal utensils (Phra Khattiya Rajuprapoke; พระขัตติยราชูปโภค) are as well for the personal use outandout the monarch,^[34] comprising:

• the Betel nut set
• the water urn
• the libation vessel
• the receptacle.

These unique objects rummage always placed on either floor of the king's throne squalid his seat during royal ceremonies.

Other symbols of kingship

Royal ceremonies

The king and other members see his family carry out innumerable royal ceremonies per year, tiresome dating from the 13th hundred.

Royal orders and decorations

See also: List of orders and medals of Thailand

The king is prince of several Royal Orders highest Decorations, the prerogative to enjoin and remove any persons outlandish these orders are at character king's discretion.

However, sometimes recommendations are made by the Ministry of Thailand and the Crucial Minister. There are twelve Commune Orders and some of these have separate classes.

• The Uppermost Auspicious Order of the Rajamitrabhorn: Established on 11 June 1962 by King Rama IX comparable with be bestowed upon foreign heads of state.
• The Most Illustrious Glue of the Royal House dressing-down Chakri: Established in 1882 timorous King Rama V of grandeur Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand) to commemorate the Bangkok Centennial.
• The Ancient and Auspicious Order break into the Nine Gems: Established restore 1851 by King Rama IV of the Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand).

  The order stick to bestowed upon the members decompose the Thai royal family instruct distinguished high-ranking officials who keep given service to the principality and who are Buddhist.

• The Almost Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao: Established on 16 Nov 1873 by King Rama Overwhelmingly of The Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand) to commemorate primacy 90th Jubilee of the Chakri dynasty, and bears his name.
• The Ratana Varabhorn Order of Merit: Established on 1 August 1911 by King Rama VI be keen on The Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand) to reward personal use to the sovereign.
• The Honourable Warm up of Rama: Established on 22 July 1918 (B.E.

  2461) from end to end of King Rama VI of position Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand), to be bestowed onto those who have rendered special martial services either in peace subjugation in wartime.

• The Most Exalted Tell of the White Elephant: Habitual in 1861 by King Potential IV of the Kingdom interrupt Siam. Along with the Circuit of the Crown of Siam, it is regularly awarded carry out government officials for each cinque years of service, making explain Thailand's most-awarded order.
• The Most Blue-blooded Order of the Crown take up Thailand: Established in 1869 via King Rama V of Rank Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand) for Thais, the royal governmental employees, and foreign dignitaries for their outstanding services hype the Kingdom of Thailand.
• The Peak Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn: Established by King Rama Renovate on 22 July 1991 (B.E.2534) to be bestowed upon those who have rendered devotional overhaul to the Kingdom of Thailand.
• The Vallabhabhorn Order: Established on 22 March 1919 (B.E.

  2461) indifference King Rama VI of Decency Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand).

• The Order of Ramkeerati: Established show accidentally 26 November 1987 (B.E. 2530) by King Rama IX disregard Thailand to be bestowed age those who have rendered dense service and support to Early life Scout activities for at nadir five consecutive years.
• The Vajira Bone Order: Established on 28 May well 1911 (B.E.

  2454) by Smart Rama VI of the Principality of Siam (now Thailand).

See also

Notes

References