King Rama V

Western readers of Bangkok newspapers often are challenged by the titles of Thai individuals — particularly women — that they see in the papers. Two of the most common are Than Puying and Khun Ying. What do they mean? 

These are honorific titles based on The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao,  established in 1873 by Chulalakorn,  King Rama V, to commemorate the 90th Jubilee of the Chakri Dynasty. It bears His Majesty’s Name and signifies His Majesty’s Birthday color of pink, or Tuesday. These, as well as other royal decorations, are bestowed today in ceremonies presided over by King Rama IX. From that point onward each individual uses them for  ceremonies of any kind, and they are also used when they are mentioned in the media. One such individual is Dr. Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, Director of Thailand’s Central Institute of Forensic Science. 

In terms of the specific titles mentioned above, married recipients of the  Dame Grand Cross (First Class) and the Dame Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) are entitled to use the honorific title of “Than Phuying,” while married recipients of the  Dame Commander (Second Class, lower grade) downwards are entitled to use the honorific title of “Khun Ying.” 

The Cabinet website of the Thai government describes the entire Chula Chom Klao system as follows: 

 Classes and Numbers to be Conferred  

  For men, there are three classes:  

  Class I (two divisions)  

  Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao

  Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao

  Class II   (two divisions)    

  Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of  Chula Chom Klao

  Knight Commander (Second Class, lower grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao

  Class III  (three divisions)    

  Grand Companion (Third Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao

  Companion (Third Class, lower grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao

  Junior Companion of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao 

  For ladies, there are four classes:

  Class I      

  Dame Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao

  Class II   (two divisions)    

  Dame Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of  Chula Chom Klao

  Dame Commander (Second Class, lower grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao

  Class III

  Companion (Third Class) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao

  Class IV

  Member (Fourth Class) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao   

  Titles for Female Recipients    

  Married recipients of the  Dame Grand Cross (First Class) and the Dame Grand Commander (Second Class, higher  
 grade) are entitled to use the honorific title of “Than Phuying”

  Married recipients of the  Dame Commander (Second Class, lower grade) downwards are entitled to use the honorific 
  title of “Khun Ying”

  Single recipients are entitled to use the honorific title of “Khun”

  Royal recipients of the Dame Grand Cross (First Class) and the Dame Grand Commander (Second Class, Higher Grade),
 who are members of M.R. class downwards,  are entitled to use the honorific title of “Than Phuying”      

 Inheritance

 Rank

 Should a person be conferred the Knight Grand Cordon, his son should inherit the insignia upon the place. It should,
 then, be passed on in the family until no male heir is to be found.

 Should a person be conferred the Knight Grand Cross, his son should inherit the insignia upon the place.

 Should a person be conferred the  Knight Grand Commander or Knight Commander, his son should inherit the insignia
 upon the death of that person.

 Rule

 The person inheriting the insignia must be the eldest son of the family. Should he be inappropriate, the insignia should
 pass onto the younger sons.

 Should the person inheriting the insignia be insane or dead, it should be passed onto the son of that person.

 Conferment

 Should the person inherit the insignia from his father, he should be conferred the  Companion.

 Should the person inherit the insignia from his grandfather he should be conferred the  Junior Companion.