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38-517: Three of the four Somdet Chao Phraya came from the Bunnag family — Dit, styled Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Prayurawongse ; his younger brother Tat, styled Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Pichaiyat ; the eldest son Chuang, styled Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Sri Suriwongse . They played key roles in government and foreign relations until after the Front Palace crisis . As Chulalongkorn sought to undo

76-513: A hierarchical social system which developed from the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (14th century – 1767), through the Thonburi (1767–1782) and early Rattanakosin (1782 onwards) periods. Reforms by King Chulalongkorn ended the system around the end of the 19th century, though noble titles continued to be granted until the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932. Thai noble titles comprise

114-409: A modern civil service system. His successor Vajiravudh (Rama VI, r. 1910–1925) introduced a military-style promotion-based rank system, superseding the traditional titles, though they could still be granted at the king's discretion. Following the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932, royal decrees issued during the government of Plaek Phibunsongkhram in 1942 abolished the use of noble titles and

152-409: A modern civil service system. His successor Vajiravudh (Rama VI, r. 1910–1925) introduced a military-style promotion-based rank system, superseding the traditional titles, though they could still be granted at the king's discretion. Following the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932, royal decrees issued during the government of Plaek Phibunsongkhram in 1942 abolished the use of noble titles and

190-466: A rank and a title, which denote the holder's post or office. Unlike in European aristocracies, Thai noble titles were not inherited, but individually granted based on personal merit. Nevertheless, familial influence was substantial, and some families were able to accumulate large amounts of wealth and power, especially during the 17th to 19th centuries. While the use of noble rank and title words are found in

228-536: The chatusadom system, and the rank of phra was added to the previously used khun and nai , in order to accommodate the expanding machinery of government. (The ranks luang and okya were further introduced during the mid- and late-16th century, respectively.) The sakdina system, which assigned a numeral rank representing the amount of land one was entitled to own, was also officially described. Nobles were not directly remunerated for their service, but enjoyed earnings and benefits derived from their office and

266-419: The 17th to 19th centuries. While the use of noble rank and title words are found in the documents of many early Tai city states including Sukhothai , the earliest extensive descriptions are from the administrative reforms introduced in 1448 by King Borommatrailokanat of Ayutthaya, which by then had become the dominant polity in the region. The reforms established official titles for high-ranking ministers of

304-515: The King. The latter was the case especially from the late 19th century, as the proliferation of officials necessitated the creation of a large number of titles. Nobles would be known almost exclusively by their current title. Historical references to holders of shared titles conventionally include the person's birth name in parentheses, e.g. Chao Phraya Chakri (Mut) , who was chief minister under King Taksin . The ranks, in descending order, are: Some of

342-468: The King. The latter was the case especially from the late 19th century, as the proliferation of officials necessitated the creation of a large number of titles. Nobles would be known almost exclusively by their current title. Historical references to holders of shared titles conventionally include the person's birth name in parentheses, e.g. Chao Phraya Chakri (Mut) , who was chief minister under King Taksin . The ranks, in descending order, are: Some of

380-497: The Siamese forces to Vietnam and imposed a naval blockade on Saigon. The campaigns were successful, however, and the war ended in 1845. With the death of Bodindecha in 1849, Dit remained the only powerful noble in the court. Dit played a key role in the ascension of Mongkut , whether or not Nangklao intended to give the throne to his half-brother. The legend is that Nangklao wanted his son, Prince Annop, to succeed him, even giving Annop

418-561: The bracelet passed down from his grandfather Phutthayotfa Chulalok. However, Dit switched the bracelet for a forged one, so the genuine one was not passed to Prince Annop. Dit lobbied for Mongkut, a monk of 27 years, to succeed the throne. In 1851, when Mongkut had succeeded the throne, he made Dit Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Prayurawongse and regent in the kingdom. Prayurawongse's brother, That, became Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Pichaiyat and regent in Bangkok. The Somdet Chao Phraya title

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456-483: The determining factor for promotions. Several noble families gained much power and influence during the late Ayutthaya period, and even more so during early Rattanakosin; some, such as the Bunnags , effectively became as powerful as the monarchy. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, r. 1868–1910) introduced reforms that ended the system that allowed nobles to command manpower, and transformed titled nobles into paid officials under

494-434: The determining factor for promotions. Several noble families gained much power and influence during the late Ayutthaya period, and even more so during early Rattanakosin; some, such as the Bunnags , effectively became as powerful as the monarchy. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, r. 1868–1910) introduced reforms that ended the system that allowed nobles to command manpower, and transformed titled nobles into paid officials under

532-457: The documents of many early Tai city states including Sukhothai , the earliest extensive descriptions are from the administrative reforms introduced in 1448 by King Borommatrailokanat of Ayutthaya, which by then had become the dominant polity in the region. The reforms established official titles for high-ranking ministers of the chatusadom system, and the rank of phra was added to the previously used khun and nai , in order to accommodate

570-411: The expanding machinery of government. (The ranks luang and okya were further introduced during the mid- and late-16th century, respectively.) The sakdina system, which assigned a numeral rank representing the amount of land one was entitled to own, was also officially described. Nobles were not directly remunerated for their service, but enjoyed earnings and benefits derived from their office and

608-786: The first king of the Chakri dynasty in 1782. During the Nine Armies' Wars , Bunnag led the Siamese forces against the Burmese. He was then promoted and eventually became the Samuha Kalahom as Chao Phraya Akkaramahasaena. Chao Phraya Akkaramahasaena was the primogenitor of the House of Bunnag. He sent his sons, including Dit and Tat, into the palace as the royal pages of Phutthayotfa Chulalok to gain an entrance into Siamese bureaucracy. Dit quickly rose to higher official ranks as Phutthaloetla Naphalai favored

646-413: The importance of the city. Each city had its associated noble title, e.g. Surasi for Phitsanulok , Surinluechai for Phetchaburi , Wichitphakdi for Chaiya , Aphaiphubet for Phra Tabong ( Battambang ), etc. Somdet Chao Phraya (title) The Thai nobility was a social class comprising titled officials ( khunnang , Thai : ขุนนาง ) in the service of the monarchy . They formed part of

684-612: The new monarch. However, as the new king was underage, Sri Suriwongse was named as regent, a post he held until 1873. The Front Palace Crisis of 1874-5 changed the power dynamic in Siam, after which both Bunnag and noble influence waned. Sri Suriwongse died in 1883 in Ratchaburi. He was also the first Thai to have a life insurance policy after Chulalongkorn granted foreign companies permission to extend their insurance business into Siam. His son Won Bunnag succeeded him as Samuha Kalahom and also held

722-656: The noble posts and titles include: The samuhanayok was head of the Mahatthai . During the Ayutthaya period, office-holders took the title Chakri , with the rank of phraya . The rank was increased to chaophraya during Thonburi, and in Rattanakosin individualized titles were granted to each appointee. According to the Three Seals Law , the samuhanayok had a sakdina of 10,000. ( List of samuhanayok ) The samuhakalahom

760-441: The noble posts and titles include: The samuhanayok was head of the Mahatthai . During the Ayutthaya period, office-holders took the title Chakri , with the rank of phraya . The rank was increased to chaophraya during Thonburi, and in Rattanakosin individualized titles were granted to each appointee. According to the Three Seals Law , the samuhanayok had a sakdina of 10,000. ( List of samuhanayok ) The samuhakalahom

798-533: The nobles from the Bunnag family and Dit's maternal family, the Bangchang. Dit then became the minister of Kromma Tha , supervising trade and foreign affairs under King Nangklao . He was offered the position of Samuha Kalahom (Second Prime Minister) by the king, but Dit declined, saying that prime ministers died early. He then became Samuha Kalahom instead. During the Siamese–Vietnamese Wars , Dit led

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836-540: The post of Chularachamontri. A man called Bunnag was a descendant of Sheikh Ahmad. Bunnag married to Nuan, a daughter of wealthy Mon family from Bang Chan, situated near the mouth of Maeklong River. Her sister Nak was the wife of Thongduang. He was then kinsmen to Thongduang. Though Thongduang emerged as a powerful noble in Thonburi, Bunnag stayed far from the bureaucracy due to his childhood conflicts with Taksin . Thong Duang then became Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I),

874-600: The power of the nobility and pursue centralization, the Bunnags gradually withdrew from prominent roles in Siamese politics but continued to fill important official ranks. Sheikh Ahmad , a Persian merchant , along with his brother Muhamad Said and subordinates, settled in Siam around 1600. Sheikh Ahmad was a native of Qom in Safavid Iran , south of Tehran . He established himself as a rich merchant in Ayutthaya . There he entered

912-568: The rank of chaophraya . The head of the Krom Wang was titled Thammathikon after the department, or Thammathikoranathibodi . Most heads of the Krom Phra Khlang took the rank and title Chaophraya Phra Khlang , while during Ayutthaya period the title was also called Kosathibodi . The heads of Krom Na or Kasettrathikan had the rank and title Chaophraya Phonlathep . Governorships were major noble positions, with several types of posts depending on

950-457: The rank of chaophraya . The head of the Krom Wang was titled Thammathikon after the department, or Thammathikoranathibodi . Most heads of the Krom Phra Khlang took the rank and title Chaophraya Phra Khlang , while during Ayutthaya period the title was also called Kosathibodi . The heads of Krom Na or Kasettrathikan had the rank and title Chaophraya Phonlathep . Governorships were major noble positions, with several types of posts depending on

988-501: The rank system. While the decree abolishing titles was repealed by the Khuang Aphaiwong government two years later, allowing previously held titles to be reinstated, the granting of noble titles never resumed after 1932. Thai noble titles comprise a rank ( บรรดาศักดิ์ , bandasak ) and a title ( ราชทินนาม , ratchathinnanam ), which denote the holder's post or office ( ตำแหน่ง , tamnaeng ). For example, Chaophraya Chakri

1026-443: The rank system. While the decree abolishing titles was repealed by the Khuang Aphaiwong government two years later, allowing previously held titles to be reinstated, the granting of noble titles never resumed after 1932. Thai noble titles comprise a rank ( บรรดาศักดิ์ , bandasak ) and a title ( ราชทินนาม , ratchathinnanam ), which denote the holder's post or office ( ตำแหน่ง , tamnaeng ). For example, Chaophraya Chakri

1064-733: The service of King Songtham (1611–1628) who appointed him as Chao Kromma Tha Khwa ( เจ้ากรมท่าขวา ; Lord of the Right Pier) to supervise traders from the West, i.e. Persians , Indians and Europeans . He was also appointed Chularatchamontri ( จุฬาราชมนตรี ; Minister of Islamic affairs ) to oversee all Shiites in Siam. After subjugating a Japanese revolt under Yamada Nagamasa in 1611, Sheikh Ahmad became Samuha Nayok (First Prime Minister). Descendants of Sheikh Ahmad exerted control over Siamese politics, trade and foreign affairs. Many of them became Samuha Nayok . They also monopolized

1102-502: The system around the end of the 19th century, though noble titles continued to be granted until the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932. Thai noble titles comprise a rank and a title, which denote the holder's post or office. Unlike in European aristocracies, Thai noble titles were not inherited, but individually granted based on personal merit. Nevertheless, familial influence was substantial, and some families were able to accumulate large amounts of wealth and power, especially during

1140-453: The title Chao Phraya Surawong Waiyawat . Thai nobility The Thai nobility was a social class comprising titled officials ( khunnang , Thai : ขุนนาง ) in the service of the monarchy . They formed part of a hierarchical social system which developed from the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (14th century – 1767), through the Thonburi (1767–1782) and early Rattanakosin (1782 onwards) periods. Reforms by King Chulalongkorn ended

1178-510: The work of commoners ( phrai ) under their command. Unlike in European aristocracies, Thai noble titles were not inherited, but individually granted by the king or his ministers based on personal merit. Noble families could, however, present their sons to the royal household, placing them at an advantage to succeeding in those positions. This practice became especially influential from the 17th century, when war subsided and commerce flourished, leading personal patronage to displace martial ability as

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1216-510: The work of commoners ( phrai ) under their command. Unlike in European aristocracies, Thai noble titles were not inherited, but individually granted by the king or his ministers based on personal merit. Noble families could, however, present their sons to the royal household, placing them at an advantage to succeeding in those positions. This practice became especially influential from the 17th century, when war subsided and commerce flourished, leading personal patronage to displace martial ability as

1254-430: Was a prominent 19th-century Thai figure and served as the regent during the early years of the reign of King Chulalongkorn. The eldest son of Dit Bunnag ( Prayurawongse , สมเด็จเจ้าพระยาบรมมหาประยูรวงศ์) and Thanphuying Chan, Chuang was well educated. King Mongkut made him Samuha Kalahom , one of the two prime ministers of Old Siam . After the death of King Mongkut in 1868, his young son Prince Chulalongkorn became

1292-502: Was head of the Kalahom . Like the samuhanayok , the post had a sakdina of 10,000. Most of office-holders were titled Chaophraya Mahasena well into the Rattanakosin period. ( List of samuhakalahom ) Four ministers headed the four government departments of the chatusadom . By the Rattanakosin period, the head of the Krom Mueang or Nakhonban were titled Yommarat , with most having

1330-399: Was head of the Kalahom . Like the samuhanayok , the post had a sakdina of 10,000. Most of office-holders were titled Chaophraya Mahasena well into the Rattanakosin period. ( List of samuhakalahom ) Four ministers headed the four government departments of the chatusadom . By the Rattanakosin period, the head of the Krom Mueang or Nakhonban were titled Yommarat , with most having

1368-418: Was the full title of the samuhanayok , one of the king's two chief ministers. Chaophraya was the highest rank of the nobility, and Chakri was the title associated with the post. The titleholder would also have received a numerical rank under the sakdina system. Most major titles were tied to the post, and shared by successive holders, while others could be created specifically for a singular person by

1406-418: Was the full title of the samuhanayok , one of the king's two chief ministers. Chaophraya was the highest rank of the nobility, and Chakri was the title associated with the post. The titleholder would also have received a numerical rank under the sakdina system. Most major titles were tied to the post, and shared by successive holders, while others could be created specifically for a singular person by

1444-480: Was the highest noble title, rivaling royalty. The first to hold the title, Maha Kshatriyaseuk , had become the first monarch of Chakri dynasty. Mongkut gave much of his power to the regents he appointed. Prayurawongse was also competent in trade and foreign affairs and crucial to negotiating the Bowring Treaty . Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Sri Suriwongse (Thai: สมเด็จเจ้าพระยาบรมมหาศรีสุริยวงศ์; Chuang Bunnag)

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