Thai royal and noble titles

The Thai royal and noble titles signify distance of the bearers to the King. The system is somewhat complicated and usually not well understood even by most Thai people. A particular title may not be confined to just the beginning or the end of the name, but may be split across the name as will be demonstrated. Another point of note about the titles is that the King has the power to bestow any title on anybody, regardless of the rule. However, such promotion is personal and the children of the person will not normally benefit from it (see, for example, Phra Worawong Ther Phra Ong Chao).

Title for a king

There are two titles which can be used for a king

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Phrabat Somdej Phra Chao Yu Hua

Phrabat Somdej Phra Chao Yu Hua (พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว) is the normal title used by the kings of Thailand. This title can:

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• precede the name of the king, for example: Phrabat Somdej Phra Chao Yu Hua Bhumibol Adulyadej. This type of usage is less formal than the next.
• be split across the name, possibly with omission or modification of the words "Phra Chao Yu Hua". For example: Phrabat Somdej Phra Paraminthara Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej, Phrabat Somdej Phra Paraminthara Maha Prajadhipok Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua.

Somdej Phra Chao Yu Hua

Somdej Phra Chao Yu Hua (สมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว) is restricted for a king who has not yet been crowned. Once crowned, he will use the title Phrabat Somdej Phra Chao Yu Hua. This particular title would normally precede the king's name, as he would not have been given a ceremonial name yet.

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