Thailand's Last Absolute King: A Coronation Unveiled
Uncover the story behind the coronation ceremony of King Prajadhipok
King Prajadhipok Coronation (1926) by UnknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
The Siamese Coronation Ceremony
The Siamese coronation ceremony, a tradition dating back to the Ayutthaya period, combines Hindu and Buddhist rituals. It consists of two parts: the anointment and coronation, followed by the assumption of the royal residence.
Legitimacy of the Ruler
Unlike European traditions, in Siam, when a king dies, the heir assumes the governmental role as regent but does not succeed to the throne until duly anointed. The coronation, therefore, not only serves as a symbolic ritual but also as a civil confirmation of royal legitimacy.
An Unexpected Path to the Throne
Prince Prajadhipok, the youngest son of King Chulalongkorn, led a quiet life with his wife at Sukhothai Palace. His destiny, however, was far from ordinary. Serving in the Royal Siamese Army, he never expected to ascend the throne.
Queen Saovabha, her 5 Sons, and 1 Grandson (1911-03-16) by R. Lenz & Co.King Prajadhipok Museum
Turning of the Destiny
The deaths of his brothers, Prince Chakrabongse, Prince Chudadhuj, and Prince Asdang, in 1920, 1923, and 1925 respectively, made Prince Prajadhipok the unexpected heir to the Siamese throne.
Photos of the Members of the Supreme Council of State (1925-11-28) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
Reluctant at First
Prince Prajadhipok, the youngest of his brothers, was initially hesitant to take the throne. However, after receiving assurance from his family, he ultimately accepted the responsibility of becoming King.
The Cover of King Prajadhipok's Coronation Programme (1926-02-01) by Chao Phya Dhammadhikarana Dhipati and Prince Bhanurangsi SavangwongseKing Prajadhipok Museum
The First Coronation Documentary
The King commanded the Ministry of the Royal Household to record the detailed programme of his coronation and publish it in the Royal Gazette. This first documentary of its kind became the most illustrious evidence and source of reference for the coronation ceremony of Thailand.
The Auspicious Time
Three days after the new King succeeded to the throne, the preparation for the coronation began with the Royal Astrologer assigning an auspicious date and time for the ceremony. The time was Thursday 25 February between 09:53 and 11:12.
The Ceremony of Inscription the King's Name on a Gold Tablet (1926-02-04) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
Preliminary Rites
The preliminary rites involved a blend of Buddhist and Hindu practices, including the summoning of deities, the blessing of the royal regalia, and the formal inscription of the King's new title.
The Royal Seal of the Reign (1926-02-04) by Rong Sewok Tree Chamras ThipyodhaKing Prajadhipok Museum
The Royal Seal of the Reign
The Royal Seal of the Reign, bearing symbols related to the monarch's name, signifies the king's approval of official documents. Carved during the coronation, King Prajadhipok's seal depicts Rama's three magical arrows beneath the crown.
King Prajadhipok's Anoitment during the Coronation (1926-02-25) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
Anointment: A Ceremonial Bath
Anointment, or Murdhabhisek (มุรธาภิเษก) is performed in a temporary pavilion erected between Baisal Hall and Chakrabarti Biman Hall. Water used in this ceremony is collected from 4 major rivers of central Thailand, 4 ponds of Subarna and 17 sources from all over the kingdom.
The Amarindra Throne Hall, Prepared for the Coronation (1926-02) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
The Great White Umbrella of State
In Thai tradition, a tiered umbrella signifies a person's social status. The highest rank is the 9-tier, seen lowered on the left in this picture, and reserved exclusively for the king. Once raised during the coronation ceremony, it would not be lowered until the end of the reign.
The Octagonal Throne
The Octagonal Throne, made of fig wood, is placed under the seven-tier white umbrella. It represents eight cardinal directions of the kingdom. The king sits upon it and receives blessings and holy water from each direction, starting from the east and finishing in the northeast.
Brahmin Ceremonial Marquee (1926-02-25) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
Reciting of the Mantra
The King proceeds in procession with courtiers bearing regalia, royal utensils, and eight weapons of sovereignty, to sit upon the Bhadrapith Throne (the Noble Throne). The High Priest pronounces a mantra in "Opening of the Portals of Kailasa," the holiest of mantra to Lord Siva.
The Regalia
After hearing the sacred mantra, the king receives a collection of symbolic objects which includes the regalia, royal utensils, and eight weapons of state from the priest.
Thai Regalia (1926-02) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
The Great Crown of Victory
The Great Crown of Victory, adorned with a dazzling 40-karat diamond, is the most significant headgear in Siamese tradition. It is worn by the king during his coronation ceremony, signifying his royal status and power.
The Sword of Victory
The Sword of Victory, with its gold scabbard and intricate enamelling, embodies the King's strength and authority. This ancient sword was rediscovered by a fisherman from Tonlesap Lake and was presented to Rama I before his coronation in 1785.
Royal Symbols of Power
A palm leaf fan and yak tail whisk were traditionally used for important figures. King Mongkut added a white elephant's tail, representing his own power and authority.
The Sceptre
The Siamese coronation scepter, crafted from Java Cassia wood, is a symbol of Thai history and culture. Its intricate carvings and auspicious name demonstrate its deep significance within the royal ceremony.
Slippers of Divine Power
The curled toe slipper, a symbol of Mount Meru, the center of the Hindu universe, may reflect influences from both Indian and Persian artistic traditions. This slipper is a reminder of the King's connection to divine authority and the cosmos.
Eight Weapons of Sovereignty (1926-02-25) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
The Eight Weapons of Sovereignty
The crowned King received the Eight Weapons of Sovereignty from the Brahmins: a number of swords, discus, trident, spears, bows, and guns. The weapons are historical weapons used by the former Siamese kings in battles.
The Speech that Marks the New Reign
"Brahmins, now I have assumed the full responsibility, I shall reign in righteousness for the good wealth of the populace. I extend my royal authority over you and your goods and your chattels, and provide for your righteous protection and defense. Trust me and live at ease."
Anointment of the Queen Consort
Unlike the previous court traditions where kings had many wives, King Prajadhipok was the first Siamese king to have only one wife. The anointment of the queen consort was therefore specially added into the final part of the first day of the ceremony.
King Prajadhipok on the Palanquin of State (1926-02-25) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
King Prajadhipok: Upholder of Faith
The King, seated on a palanquin of state, progressed to the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha, making a formal declaration in front of a congregation of the Kingdom's higher clergy, to become upholder of the Buddhist faith and patron of other religions.
King Prajadhipok and Queen Rambhai Barni assumed the Royal Residences (1926-02-25) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
Assumption of the Royal Residence
That evening, the king and the queen proceeded to the State Bedchamber in Chakrabarti Biman Hall, attended by the ladies of the court bearing articles of personal and domestic use. A golden key, symbol of access to the royal residences and treasury, was given to the royal couple.
King Prajadhipok and Queen Rambhai Barni's First Public Audience (1926-02-27) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
The First Public Audience
After the coronation, the King and Queen attended their first public audience on the balcony of Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall at the Grand Palace. Representatives of all races and religions under his rule were invited to greet and hear the King's first public speech.
The First Public Audience
King Prajadhipok's first public audience after his coronation showcased the diversity of his kingdom. Representatives of the Siamese people, foreign diplomats, Catholic and Presbyterian missionaries, Thai, Western, Japanese, Chinese, Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu merchants, and the Dawoodi Bohra Muslims attended the event.
The State Progress of King Prajadhipok (1926-03-01) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
The State Procession
King Prajadhipok's journey through Bangkok was a symbolic representation of his newfound authority. The procession, which occurred on March 1st, 1926, involved visits to key temples and highlighted the king's role as the spiritual leader of the nation.
Supannahongse Royal Barge at the Coronation Ceremony (1926-03-03) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
The Grand Procession of State Barges
The Grand Procession of State Barges concluded the coronation. On 3 March 1926, the King embarked from the pier of the Grand Palace, and proceeded down the river to Wat Arun. The King worshiped at the principal shrine, then returned to the Grand Palace.
The Historic Moment in Motion
The Siamese king's coronation captured the world's interest, and the ceremony was recorded by foreign filmmakers and screened around the world. This is an example produced by Gaumont Graphic Newsreel (Reuters).
The Historic Moment in Motion
In 2019, the National Film Archive of Thailand gathered 11 unseen reels of the Coronation Ceremony of King Prajadhipok. The film, originally silent, was then narrated by Dr. Dinar Boontham, Associate Professor in history, Chulalongkorn University, on 5 April 2019.
The Coronation Chronicles
Prince Dhani Nivat, assistant secretary to King Prajadhipok, documented the full program and narration of the coronation ceremony. Published in 1949, this work provides the most comprehensive English-language description of the Thai coronation tradition.
Coronation Memorabilia: Medal and Ribbon
Like many other monarchies around the world, the coronation medal and ribbon were produced to commemorate the coronation of King Prajadhipok.
The obverse face of the medal features an effigy of King Prajadhipok with a ribbon of green and yellow stripes attached to the medal.
Coronation Memorabilia: Medal and Ribbon
The reverse face of the medal is inscribed in Thai: "Ascending to the throne, Coronation, 25 February B.E. 2468"
This medal is in the King Prajadhipok Museum Collection.
Coronation Memorabilia: Sema Medal
"Sema" in Thai means the Buddhist boundary stone. The shape is a commonly used medal design.
The obverse face of this Sema features an effigy of King Prajadhipok, encircled with Thai inscriptions: "Prajadhipok Paramarajadhiraj" - Prajadhipok the Great King.
Coronation Memorabilia: Sema Medal
The reverse of the medal features a Thai inscription that reads: "Memorabilia the Coronation Ceremony, B.E. 2468"
This medal is in the King Prajadhipok Museum Collection.
King Prajadhipok Coronation Fan (1926-02) by Prince NarisKing Prajadhipok Museum
Coronation Memorabilia: Talipot Fan
This talipot fan, a symbol of Buddhist ritual, was crafted to commemorate King Prajadhipok's coronation. It was given to the monks who blessed the ceremony, preserving the occasion's sacredness.
Coronation Memorabilia: Talipot Fan
The fan is made of tapestry and features the royal emblem of King Prajadhipok, the three Rama's arrows under the Great Crown of Victory. The wording on the fan reads: King Paramindra Maha Prajadhipok Phra Pokklao, Coronation B.E. 2468 (1926).
Coronation Memorabilia: Talipot Fan
The fan was designed by Prince Naris, the famous royal architect and designer of early 20th century Siam. The prince's personal emblem, the Thai initial "์N" is marked under the arrow.
This Talipot fan is in the King Prajadhipok Museum Collection.
From Coronation to Abdication
King Prajadhipok reigned over the land and the people of Siam for 9 years. He abdicated in 1935.
What caused the King to abdicate?
Discover the full story with us at the King Prajadhipok Museum and the King Prajadhipok Studies Centre.
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