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You are here: Home / Culture / A List of Thai Kings & Kingdoms (& Some Interesting Pictures)

A List of Thai Kings & Kingdoms (& Some Interesting Pictures)

History is fascinating, and there's something about living in a new country that sparks a desire to learn about its past.

Every town I visit I try to learn at least a little about how it was established and what it's famous for. Even the most unassuming of places can have an interesting past.

Whatever your political stance on monarchies, the dynasties that have ruled Thailand through the centuries make for interesting reading.

The kingdoms have shaped the people, culture, landscape and economic structure, and today's constitutional monarchy continues to play a huge role in people's lives.

The King of Thailand , King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), holds titles that include Head of State, Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Adherent of Buddhism and Upholder of religions (1).

But what about past Thai kings and their reigns?

Well, there's a lot of names to learn and dates to remember, so I though a post documenting each kingdom and the name of each king from the current Chakri dynasty would be helpful.

It also gives me a chance to share some interesting postcards I bought that feature pictures of King Chulalongkorn (Rama 5) and King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama 9) and their respective families.

Thai History and Pre-History (Major Kingdoms)

Here are the major kingdoms in chronological order:

  • Devariti (Mon): 6th – 9th centuries
  • Lopburi (Khmer): 9th – 13th centuries
  • Srivija: 8th – 13th centuries
  • Sukkothai: 13th – 15th centuries
  • Lanna: 13th – 18th centuries
  • Ayutthaya: 1351 – 1767
  • Thonburi: 1767 – 1782
  • Rattanakosin: 1782 – present

Here are the names of the Thai kings of the current Chakri dynasty:

  • First reign: King Rama I – Phra Phutthayotfa (1782 – 1809)
  • Second reign: King Rama II – Phra Phutthaloela (1809 – 1824)
  • Third reign: King Rama III – Phra Nangklao (1824 – 1851)
  • Fourth reign: King Rama IV – Mongkut (1851 – 1868)
  • Fifth reign: King Rama V – Chulalongkorn (1868 – 1910)
  • Sixth reign: King Rama VI – Vajiravudh (1910-1925)
  • Seventh reign: King Rama VII – Prajadhipok (1926 – 1935) – the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country.
  • Eighth reign: King Rama VIII – Ananda Mahidol (1935 – 1946)
  • Ninth reign: King Rama IX – Bhumibol Adulyadej (1946 – 2016)
  • Tenth reign: King Rama X – King Maha Vajiralongkorn (2016 – present)

It is worth noting that the common English spellings for some of the Thai Kings may sound fairly inaccurate to Thai people. These are the most common transliterations, but expect to be corrected for mispronunciation.

Old Pictures of The Thai Royal Family

I picked these postcards up for 5 Baht each at a market. I don't usually buy postcards but I found these to be very interesting, particularly the more natural ones of the children.

It isn't often you see pictures such as this these days. We are used to seeing the royals carry out their public duties on television in a formal manner, but seldom see natural family interactions.

The pictures are mostly of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and his family, but there's also a couple of Rama

If you right-click on a photo you can copy the image URL and paste it into your web browser. This will open the full size image, in case you want to download one and have a copy.

thai royal family

A young Rama 9.

rama 9 family king Bhumibol Adulyadej

King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit and their children

Rama 5 family king thai

Rama 5 and his family.

Thai Royal family Rama 5

Rama 5 and his family.

King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej

King and Queen of Thailand

Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand

King Maha Vajiralongkorn as a child, with his 3 sisters.

Please note: Comments will be moderated in line with the rules concerning language used when addressing the Royal Family. I appreciate your cooperation.

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Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

  1. Tony van Maanenberg says

    November 1, 2022 at 5:11 am

    Hi Peter,
    thank you so much for the info in this blog. just love it. Great to see so much information here and especially the treasure of those postcords. Awesome.
    Thank you
    Kind regards
    Tony
    Reply

    Nov 01, 2022 at 5:11 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:43 pm

      Thank you Tony. That's great to hear!
      Reply

      Nov 01, 2022 at 4:43 pm

  2. Sanjay Shreeram says

    October 25, 2021 at 3:39 pm

    Hi, My Name is Sanjay and I am a Malaysian, I am very interested in Thai history. Now, since Maha Vajiralongkorn is the king of Thailand 🇹🇭, I would like to share some information, Did you know Maha Vajiralongkorn is the richest monarch in the world as of 25th October 2021! Well he is. Anyway that is all I would like to share. Thank you for sharing such amazing photographs.

    - Sanjay Shreeram.
    Reply

    Oct 25, 2021 at 3:39 pm

  3. Ashit says

    August 25, 2016 at 2:59 pm

    Its very rare knowledge about Thai King's dynasty
    Reply

    Aug 25, 2016 at 2:59 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      August 25, 2016 at 3:05 pm

      Yes Ashit, it's also quite a complicated history. I often find myself looking back at this post to remember the order of the Kingdoms.
      Reply

      Aug 25, 2016 at 3:05 pm

  4. Jiratchaya says

    January 30, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    Thank you for your blog. As a Thai,I think your blog is perfect! About this topic, Thai people always respect the King and the pass kings. We know all of their kindness and favors. For example,Our beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej dedicated himself to make us happy.In fact he didn't have to do it but he did because On his coronation day,He had promised us to rule this land with morals for our happiness. So he did everything for us . He advised us to struggle the Tom Yam Kung crisis with "Sufficient economy" which everyone can use it for the better life. He is everything ,King, Inventor,Artist,Musician,Athlete, Environmentalist and Everything. His project for Thai people are about 4,447 project.Including Environment,Science,Economy,Agriculture etc. When he was young he usually visited the mountainous people and others by himself. He drove his car and walk through the forest to see his people's life. Even if he is sick and old now,he still watching us and giving us the advice. This is why we love him.He is more than a King but actually our heart. When everyone see him on TV ,Our tears of happiness will fall down. We can sacrifice Our life to save him from any danger like he did to us.I love him.
    From 15-year-old Thai girl who loves when "Farang" talk about Thailand in the good way. Keep going forward!!
    Reply

    Jan 30, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      January 30, 2015 at 5:40 pm

      Thank you for sharing this information Jiratchaya. I agree, the King is a very talented, intelligent, kind man. You write English very well by the way.
      Reply

      Jan 30, 2015 at 5:40 pm

      • Jiratchaya says

        February 1, 2015 at 7:48 am

        Thank you very much !!
        Reply

        Feb 01, 2015 at 7:48 am

  5. keith wilson says

    June 10, 2013 at 11:19 pm

    Fascinating stuff.
    Reply

    Jun 10, 2013 at 11:19 pm

  6. Keith Tyler says

    January 18, 2013 at 8:30 am

    I like this post. Great post and great pictures. I enjoy reading your posts on Thai culture and history.
    Thanks and keep up the great job!
    Keith
    Reply

    Jan 18, 2013 at 8:30 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      January 19, 2013 at 2:52 am

      cheers Keith, appreciate it.
      Reply

      Jan 19, 2013 at 2:52 am

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