The 1924 Palace Law of Succession (Thai: กฏมณเฑียรบาลว่าด้วยการสืบราชสันตติวงศ์ พ.ศ. 2467) governs succession over the Throne of the Kingdom of Thailand. Established during the reign of King Vajiravudh, it attempted to systematically resolve previous succession controversies. The current 1997 Constitution of Thailand still relies on the law with regards to succession. Succession is the act or process of pooing or of following in order or sequence. ... The Chakri dynasty have ruled Thailand since king Taksin was declared mad in 1782. ... Vajiravudh (January 1, 1881 – November 25, 1925) (also known as Rama VI, reigning title Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua; Thai-script พระบาทสมเด็จพระมงกุฎเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) was King of Siam (now Thailand) from 1910 until his death. ... The Democracy Monument: a representation of the 1932 Constitution sits on top of two golden offering bowls above a turret, in a traffic circle in the center of Bangkok. ...

Key features

The law based on the principle of primogeniture, with first in line being the eldest son of the previous monarch and second in line being the next-oldest son, and so on. The law expressly ruled against women acending the throne (this clause was abrogated in later constitutions). This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

The 1924 law specifically established the primacy of descendants of each of King Chulalongkorn's Queens: Queen Saowabha, followed by Queen Savang Vadhana, followed by Queen Sukumala. His Majesty King Rama V of Siam, with his son, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajirunnahis (portrait in National History Museum, Bangkok) King Chulalongkorn the Great or Rama V (royal name: Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua; Thai script: พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) (September 20, 1853 - October 23, 1910) was the fifth king of the Chakri dynasty... Her Royal Highness Queen Savang Vadhana of Thailand (also known as Queen Sri Savarindira, born 10 September 1862 – died 17 December 1955) was the queen-consort of King Chulalongkorn. ...

The law in practice

The Saowabha branch, circa 1900 (from left to right: Prince Asdang, King Vajiravudh, Prince Chakrabongse, Queen Saowabha, Prince Prajadhipok, and Prince Chudadhut)

King Chulalongkorn and his 3 Queens produced 7 sons with the princely rank of Chao Fa (Thai: เจ้าฟ้า; "sky lord"): 5 by Queen Saowabha, including Prince Vajiravudh; 1 by Queen Savang Vadhana, and 1 by Queen Sukumala. None of King Vajiravudh's 4 princely brothers by Queen Saowabha produced a royal-blooded male heir (one son produced a heir with a maid, another produced an heir with a foreign wife). Furthermore, 3 of the brothers died, leaving only Prince Prajadhipok. Vajiravudh had only a daughter, and Prajadhipok was childless. Vajiravudh (January 1, 1881 – November 25, 1925) (also known as Rama VI, reigning title Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua; Thai-script พระบาทสมเด็จพระมงกุฎเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) was King of Siam (now Thailand) from 1910 until his death. ... His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII, royal name พระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua) (November 8, 1893 - May 30, 1941) was the seventh king of the Chakri dynasty. ... His Majesty King Rama V of Siam, with his son, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajirunnahis (portrait in National History Museum, Bangkok) King Chulalongkorn the Great or Rama V (royal name: Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua; Thai script: พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) (September 20, 1853 - October 23, 1910) was the fifth king of the Chakri dynasty... Vajiravudh (January 1, 1881 – November 25, 1925) (also known as Rama VI, reigning title Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua; Thai-script พระบาทสมเด็จพระมงกุฎเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) was King of Siam (now Thailand) from 1910 until his death. ... Her Royal Highness Queen Savang Vadhana of Thailand (also known as Queen Sri Savarindira, born 10 September 1862 – died 17 December 1955) was the queen-consort of King Chulalongkorn. ... Vajiravudh (January 1, 1881 – November 25, 1925) (also known as Rama VI, reigning title Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua; Thai-script พระบาทสมเด็จพระมงกุฎเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) was King of Siam (now Thailand) from 1910 until his death. ... His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII, royal name พระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua) (November 8, 1893 - May 30, 1941) was the seventh king of the Chakri dynasty. ... Vajiravudh (January 1, 1881 – November 25, 1925) (also known as Rama VI, reigning title Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua; Thai-script พระบาทสมเด็จพระมงกุฎเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) was King of Siam (now Thailand) from 1910 until his death. ... His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII, royal name พระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua) (November 8, 1893 - May 30, 1941) was the seventh king of the Chakri dynasty. ...

Queen Savang Vadhana had only 1 surviving son, Prince Mahidol, who in turn produced a son, Prince Ananda Mahidol in 1925 by a commoner, Sangwalya. Prince Mahidol produced another son in 1927, Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej. King Ananda Mahidol or Rama VIII (long royal name: Phrabat Somdej Phra Paramenthara Maha Ananda Mahidol Phra Athama Ramathibodinthra พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรมหาอานันทมหิดล พระอัฐมรามาธิบดินทร (roughly HM King Ananda Mahidol, the Eighth Ruler) (September 20, 1925 - June 9, 1946) was the eighth king of the Chakri dynasty of Thailand. ... Sangwal or Srinagarindra, was the Princess Mother of Thailand. ... Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thai: ; IPA: ; ) (born December 5, 1927), officially styled the Great and also known as Rama IX, is the current King of Thailand. ...

Queen Sukumala produced only 1 son, Prince Paripatra. Prince Paripatra had 1 son, Chumbhotpong Paripatra. Chumbhotpong Paripatra produced a daughter by a royal wife and a son, Prince Sukhumbhinanda, by a commoner wife. Prince Sukhumbhinanda produced 2 sons by a commoner wife: Mom Ratchawong Sukhumbhand born in 1953 and Mom Ratchawong Vararos born in 1959. Mom Ratchawong Sukhumbhand Paripatra produced two sons via commoner wives: Mom Luang Phinitphan and Mom Luang Waraphinan. The Thai royal and noble titles signify distance of the bearers to the King. ... The Thai royal and noble titles signify distance of the bearers to the King. ... The Thai royal and noble titles signify distance of the bearers to the King. ... The Thai royal and noble titles signify distance of the bearers to the King. ... The Thai royal and noble titles signify distance of the bearers to the King. ...

The Savang Vadhana branch, 1938: King Ananda Mahidol, Queen Savang Vadhana, and Prince Bhumibol

According to the Palace Law, Prince Prajadhipok (2nd eldest surviving son of the previous monarch, King Chulalongkorn, via the bloodline of Saovabha, the most senior queen) became 1st in line to the succession. Prince Mahidol became 2nd in line (although older than Prajadhipok, he was son of Savang Vadhana, a more junior queen). Third and fourth in line would be Mahidol's sons: first Ananda Mahidol, then Bhumibol Adulyadej. Last in line would have been Prince Paripatra, although this is unlikely given he was in exile since 1932. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (938x624, 96 KB) Summary King Ananda Mahidol with his younger brother, Prince Bhumibhol and their grandmother (Queen) Savang Vadhana during their visit to Siam in 1938. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (938x624, 96 KB) Summary King Ananda Mahidol with his younger brother, Prince Bhumibhol and their grandmother (Queen) Savang Vadhana during their visit to Siam in 1938. ... King Ananda Mahidol or Rama VIII (long royal name: Phrabat Somdej Phra Paramenthara Maha Ananda Mahidol Phra Athama Ramathibodinthra พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรมหาอานันทมหิดล พระอัฐมรามาธิบดินทร (roughly HM King Ananda Mahidol, the Eighth Ruler) (September 20, 1925 - June 9, 1946) was the eighth king of the Chakri dynasty of Thailand. ... Her Royal Highness Queen Savang Vadhana of Thailand (also known as Queen Sri Savarindira, born 10 September 1862 – died 17 December 1955) was the queen-consort of King Chulalongkorn. ... Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX of Thailand His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej (ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช, Phumiphon Adunyadet), King Rama IX of Thailand (royal name Phra Chaoyuhua Bhumibol Adulyadej), the Great (born December 5, 1927), has been King of Thailand since 1946. ... His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII, royal name พระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua) (November 8, 1893 - May 30, 1941) was the seventh king of the Chakri dynasty. ... His Majesty King Rama V of Siam, with his son, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajirunnahis (portrait in National History Museum, Bangkok) King Chulalongkorn the Great or Rama V (royal name: Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua; Thai script: พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) (September 20, 1853 - October 23, 1910) was the fifth king of the Chakri dynasty... His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII, royal name พระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua) (November 8, 1893 - May 30, 1941) was the seventh king of the Chakri dynasty. ... King Ananda Mahidol or Rama VIII (long royal name: Phrabat Somdej Phra Paramenthara Maha Ananda Mahidol Phra Athama Ramathibodinthra พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรมหาอานันทมหิดล พระอัฐมรามาธิบดินทร (roughly HM King Ananda Mahidol, the Eighth Ruler) (September 20, 1925 - June 9, 1946) was the eighth king of the Chakri dynasty of Thailand. ... Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thai: ; IPA: ; ) (born December 5, 1927), officially styled the Great and also known as Rama IX, is the current King of Thailand. ...

This line of succession was followed, with Prince Prajadhipok succeeding King Vajiravudh after he passed away in 1925. The absolute monarchy was overthrown in 1932, but the new constitution continued to rely on the palace law regarding matters of succession. Thus, Prince Ananda Mahidol succeeded the sonless King Prajadhipok after he abdicated in 1935. Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej succeeded the childless King Ananda Mahidol after he was killed in 1946. His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII, royal name พระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua) (November 8, 1893 - May 30, 1941) was the seventh king of the Chakri dynasty. ... Vajiravudh (January 1, 1881 – November 25, 1925) (also known as Rama VI, reigning title Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua; Thai-script พระบาทสมเด็จพระมงกุฎเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว) was King of Siam (now Thailand) from 1910 until his death. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... King Ananda Mahidol or Rama VIII (long royal name: Phrabat Somdej Phra Paramenthara Maha Ananda Mahidol Phra Athama Ramathibodinthra พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรมหาอานันทมหิดล พระอัฐมรามาธิบดินทร (roughly HM King Ananda Mahidol, the Eighth Ruler) (September 20, 1925 - June 9, 1946) was the eighth king of the Chakri dynasty of Thailand. ... His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII, royal name พระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua) (November 8, 1893 - May 30, 1941) was the seventh king of the Chakri dynasty. ... His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII, royal name พระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Phra Pokklao Chaoyuhua) (November 8, 1893 - May 30, 1941) was the seventh king of the Chakri dynasty. ... Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thai: ; IPA: ; ) (born December 5, 1927), officially styled the Great and also known as Rama IX, is the current King of Thailand. ... King Ananda Mahidol or Rama VIII (long royal name: Phrabat Somdej Phra Paramenthara Maha Ananda Mahidol Phra Athama Ramathibodinthra พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรมหาอานันทมหิดล พระอัฐมรามาธิบดินทร (roughly HM King Ananda Mahidol, the Eighth Ruler) (September 20, 1925 - June 9, 1946) was the eighth king of the Chakri dynasty of Thailand. ... King Ananda Mahidol or Rama VIII (long royal name: Phrabat Somdej Phra Paramenthara Maha Ananda Mahidol Phra Athama Ramathibodinthra พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรมหาอานันทมหิดล พระอัฐมรามาธิบดินทร (roughly HM King Ananda Mahidol, the Eighth Ruler) (September 20, 1925 - June 9, 1946) was the eighth king of the Chakri dynasty of Thailand. ...

The law today

The current constitution of Thailand, promulated in 1997, continues to reply on the Palace Law with regards to succession.

The heir apparent to the Thai throne is Prince Vajiralongkorn, eldest and only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Prince Vajiralongkorn has many sons - however, not all of them are legitimate. HRH Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn of Thailand Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (born July 28, 1952) is the only son of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King (Rama IX) of Thailand, and Queen Sirikit. ... Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thai: ; IPA: ; ) (born December 5, 1927), officially styled the Great and also known as Rama IX, is the current King of Thailand. ... HRH Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn of Thailand Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (born July 28, 1952) is the only son of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King (Rama IX) of Thailand, and Queen Sirikit. ... HRH Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn of Thailand Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (born July 28, 1952) is the only son of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King (Rama IX) of Thailand, and Queen Sirikit. ...

The Thai constitution was later amended to allow the Privy Council to appoint a princess as successor to the throne. However this would only occur in the absence of an heir apparent. This amendment is retained in Section 23 of the current 1997 "People's Constitution." This effectively signaled Princess Sirindhorn as second in line to the throne, but did not affect Prince Vajiralongkorn's status as heir apparent. The King of Thailand appoints a Privy Council of advisors. ... The Democracy Monument: a representation of the 1932 Constitution sits on top of two golden offering bowls above a turret, in a traffic circle in the center of Bangkok. ... Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (Thai full name: สมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดา เจ้าฟ้ามหาจักรีสิรินธร รัฐสีมาคุณากรปิยชาติ สยามบรมราชกุมารี – Som det phra thep phra rat raat cha su daa Chao fa Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Ratha si ma ku na korn pi ya chat Siam ba rom ma raat cha ku maa ree)is a princess of Thailand, of the Chakri Dynasty. ...

Recent constitutions of Thailand have made the amendment of the Palace Law of Succession the sole prerogative of the reigning King. According to Gothom Arya, noted public intellectual, this allows the reigning King, if he so chooses, to appoint his son or any of his daughters to the Throne.

References

• Paul M. Handley, "The King Never Smiles" Yale University Press: 2006, ISBN 0-300-10682-3
• Aryan, Gothan (September 15-16, 2004), Thai Monarchy, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, Retrieved on 05 July 2006, presented in Kathmandu, Nepal
• The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (1997), [section 20]

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See also

• Constitution of Thailand
• Bhumibol Adulyadej
• Ananda Mahidol
• Prajadhipok