Thai royal and noble titles are the royal and noble styles signifying relationship to the King introduced by King Trailokanat, who reigned 1448 to 1488. The system is rooted in the Thai language equivalent of feudalism, Sakdina (ศักดินา: literally, power over fields). It is somewhat similar to that of peerage, but is complicated and usually not well understood even by most Thais. A particular title of honor 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. Those who possessed titles ceased to be designated by personal names and were never spoken of except by the awarded or other similar titles. Another point 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).
Read more about Thai Royal And Noble Titles: The King (Sovereign), Sovereign's Consorts, Descendants of A Sovereign, Royal Princes and Princesses, The 'titled Commoners', Krom, Feudal Lifetime Titles, Feudal Lifetime Titles For Male Commoners (all Obsolete), Lifetime Conferred Titles For Female Commoners (still in Use), Khun (courtesy Title)
Famous quotes containing the words royal, noble and/or titles:
“a highly respectable gondolier,
Who promised the Royal babe to rear
And teach him the trade of a timoneer
With his own beloved brattling.”
—Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836–1911)
“The exile is a singular, whereas refugees tend to be thought of in the mass. Armenian refugees, Jewish refugees, refugees from Franco Spain. But a political leader or artistic figure is an exile. Thomas Mann yesterday, Theodorakis today. Exile is the noble and dignified term, while a refugee is more hapless.... What is implied in these nuances of social standing is the respect we pay to choice. The exile appears to have made a decision, while the refugee is the very image of helplessness.”
—Mary McCarthy (1912–1989)
“I have known a German Prince with more titles than subjects, and a Spanish nobleman with more names than shirts.”
—Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774)