Monarchical Titles in the Rattanakosin Period: Implications and Social Context

Abstract

            This article aims to study the background, the characteristics, and the language of the titles of the monarch in the Rattanakosin period, together with the social context reflected in these titles. The information about the monarchical titles under study is mainly derived from primary documents, namely: the Three Seals Law; Collection of Announcements in the Fourth Reign; Royal Ceremonies Announcements; Preaches on Royal Biographies and the Chronology of Krungthep; Rattanakosin Chronology from the First to the Fifth Reigns; and the Government Gazettes. The study finds that the naming of monarchical titles in the Early Rattanakosin period was a tradition inherited from the Ayutthaya period. The change took place in the reign of King Rama IV, who had a new convention established, according to which a monarchical title would be composed of three major components: the monarch’s given name, terms for elaboration, and terms to signify the reign. The language used is highly distinctive, expressing his kingly status and characteristics and reflecting contemporary social context. Social dynamics are related to different monarchical titles.