Chakri dynasty

House of Chakri Thailand
Country:	Thailand
Titles:	King of Thailand
Founder:	King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great (Rama I)
Current Head:	King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Founding Year:	1782
Ethnicity:	Thai

The Chakri dynasty has ruled Thailand since the founding of the Ratthanakosin era in 1782 after king Taksin of Thonburi was declared mad and the capital of Siam shifted to Bangkok. The Chakri which provides both name and emblem to the house of Chakri, is composed of the discus (Chakra) and the trident (Trisula), the celestial weapon of the God Narai (an avatar of Vishnu) of whom the Siamese King is seen as a personification. The coined name Chakri thus denotes the transcending force of divine strength and stability upon the physical realm.

Prior to the founding of the dynasty, King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great (Rama I), held the title of Chao Pharaya Chakri for over 10 years. This title was held by the greatest warlords of Ayuthaya and was meant to reflect the prowess of the holder on the battlefield. In the founding of the dynasty King Rama I himself chose both name and emblem for the dynasty.

List of Kings

• Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great (Rama I)
  พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลกมหาราช (6 April 1782 - 7 September 1809)
• Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II)
  พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธเลิศหล้านภาลัย (7 September 1809 - 21 July 1824)
• Nangklao (Rama III)
  พระบาทสมเด็จพระนั่งเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว (21 July 1824 - 2 April 1851)
• Mongkut (Rama IV)
  พระบาทสมเด็จพระจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว (3 April 1851 - 1 October 1868)
• Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V)
  พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว "พระปิยมหาราช" (2 October 1868 - 23 October 1910)
• Vajiravudh (Rama VI)
  พระบาทสมเด็จพระมงกุฎเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว (23 October 1910 - 26 November 1925)
• Prajadhipok (Rama VII)
  พระบาทสมเด็จพระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว (26 November 1925 - 2 March 1935)
• Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII)
  พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวอานันทมหิดล (2 March 1935 - 9 June 1946)
• Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX)
  พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวภูมิพลอดุลยเดชมหาราช (9 June 1946 - Present)

Vice-Kings

Until 1885 every king had a vice-king (Maha Uparaja, also often translated as second king), usually the brother of the king and the designated heir to the throne - however Rama II was the only former vice-king who actually ascended to the throne. When the vice-king died before the king, the title often remained vacant for several years. The system was abolished by King Chulalongkorn when his vice-king Bovorn Vichaicharn died. He then declared his oldest son the crown prince, but not vice-king.

List of Vice-Kings

• Boworn Maha Surasinghanat สมเด็จพระบวรราชเจ้า กรมพระราชวังบวรมหาสุรสิงหนาท (1782-1802)
• Isarasundhorn (later Rama II) (1806-1809)
• Boworn Maha Senanurak สมเด็จพระบวรราชเจ้า กรมพระราชวังบวรมหาเสนานุรักษ์ (1809-1817)
• Boworn Maha Sakpolsep สมเด็จพระบวรราชเจ้า กรมพระราชวังบวรมหาศักดิ์พลเสพ (1824-1832)
• Pinklao พระบาทสมเด็จพระปิ่นเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว (1851-1866)
• Boworn Vichaicharn สมเด็จพระบวรราชเจ้า กรมพระราชวังบวรวิไชยชาญ (1868-1885)

Regents

When the King is unable to perform his royal duties - because of being underaged, he is sent out of the country for a prolonged time or staying in a monastery as a monk - a regent takes over his duties.

List of Regents

• Somdet Chao Phraya Si Suriyawongse (1868-1873), until King Chulalongkorn became 20 years old
• Queen Sripatcharinthara or Queen Saovabha (1897), while King Chulalongkorn travelled to Europe in 1897
• Prince Narisaranuwadtiwongse (1934-1935)
• Prince Oscar Anuvatana (1935)
• Prince Aditya Dibabha (1935-1944)
• Pridi Banomyong (1944-1946)
• Rangsit, Prince of Chainat (1946)
• Prince Dhanivat Bidyalabh Bridhyakon (1946-1950), until King Bhumibol Adulyadej finished his studies in Switzerland
• Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara (1956), while King Bhumibol Adulyadej was a Buddhist monk
• Princess Mother Srinagarindra (1960), while King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit travelled to Europe.

See also

• 1924 Palace Law on Succession
• Rama (King of Thailand)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Kings of Thailand

• The illustrious Chakri family
• History of the Vice-Kings
• Official site of the Royal Family

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