Royal Thai Family The Chakri Dynasty (also known as the House of Chakri) (Thai: ราชวงศ์จักรี: Rajawongse Chakri) is the current ruling royal house of the Kingdom of Thailand, the Head of the house is the King of Thailand. The dynasty has ruled Thailand since the founding of the Ratthanakosin era and the city of Bangkok in 1782 following the end of King Taksin of Thonburi's reign, when the capital of Siam shifted to Bangkok. The Royal house was founded by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke an Ayutthayan military leader. Prior to the founding of the dynasty, King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I), held the title of Chao Pharaya Chakri for over ten years. This title was held by the greatest warlords of Ayuthaya and was meant to reflect the prowess of the holder on the battlefield. In the founding of the dynasty King Rama I himself chose both name and emblem for the dynasty. The Chakri which provides both name and emblem to the house of Chakri, is composed of the discus (Chakra) and the trident (Trisula, sometimes shortened to "Tri" in Thai language), the celestial weapon of the God Narayana (an avatar of Vishnu) of whom the Siamese king is seen as a personification. The coined name Chakri thus denotes the transcending force of divine strength and stability upon the physical realm. The current Head of the Dynasty is King Bhumibol Adulyadej since 1946, the Heir Apparent to the headship is Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. The House's dynastic seat is the Grand Palace in Bangkok Royal Family of Thailand The present Royal Family of Thailand is descended from HRH Prince Mahidol Adulyadej of Songkla (1898 - 1929) and Srinagarindra (later Princess Mother) (1900-1995) forming the House of Mahidol (ราชสกุลมหิดล) ( a cadet branch of the Dynasty). The Prince was a son of King Chulalongkorn the Great and his wife Queen Consort Savang Vadhana. The Prince was also the half-brother of both King Vajiravudh and King Prajadhipok. After the death of King Ananda Mahidol (Prince Mahidol's elder son), the present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (the Prince's younger son) ascended the throne in 1946. In 1949 the King married his first cousin once removed, Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara (a daughter of Mom Chao Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara, a grandson of King Chulalongkorn). Members This is a list of current members of the Royal Family: HM The King HM The Queen (his consort) Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya (the King's eldest daughter) TRH The Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Princess Srirasmi (the King's eldest son and his consort) HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha (the Crown Prince's eldest daughter) present, the Crown Prince's third son) HRH Princess Siriwannawari Nariratana (the Crown Prince's younger daughter) HRH Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti (the Crown Prince's youngest son) HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (the King's second eldest daughter) HRH Princess Chulabhorn Walailak (the King's youngest daughter) HRH Princess Siribhachudhabhorn (Princess Chulabhorn's eldest daughter) HRH Princess Adityadhornkitikhun (Princess Chulabhorn's younger daughter) Other Members HRH Princess Bejaratana (the King's cousin, the only daughter of King Vajiravudh) HRH Princess Soamsavali (the Crown Prince's former consort and mother of Princess Bajrakitiyabha) Khun Ploypailin Jensen (Princess Ubolratana's elder daughter) Khun Sirikitiya Jensen (Princess Ubolratana's younger daughter) Thanpuying Dhasanawalaya Sornsongkram (the King's niece, daughter of the late Princess Galyani Vadhana) Recently deceased members HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, Princess of Naradhiwas (the King's elder sister) (2008) Khun Bhumi Jensen (Princess Ubolratana's son) (2004) HRH Princess Srinagarindra, Princess Mother (the King's mother, also mother of King Rama VIII) (1995)

• published: 28 Aug 2010
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