Page 6 - The Royal Coronation Ceremony

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History of the Royal Coronation Ceremony

The Royal Coronation is an ancient traditional royal practice in Thai society, highly

influenced from Indian precepts. However, few details of the previous times are known due

to lack of evidence. In fact, even the name of the ceremony differs from one period to
another. In Ayutthaya, it was called “Phra Ratcha Phiti Racha Phisek” or “Phithi Racha Phisek,”

but presently it is called “Phra Ratcha Phiti Boromma Racha Phisek.”

Evidence of a coronation event comes from the stone inscription No.2 or the “Wat

th
Sichum Inscription.” It records an event that occurred in the 13 century of the Sukhothai
period regarding the accession to power of the leader, Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao. The
inscription states that “…Pho Khun Pha Mueang anointed Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao to rule

Sukhothai, offering his name to his friend, Si Indra Bodindradi…” An additional inscription at
Wat Pa Mamuang, written in Thai and Khmer script, also mentioned that Royal Regalia

appeared in the Royal Coronation Ceremony of King Phra Maha Dhammaraja I (Lithai) and

these consisted of “Phra Khan Chai Si” (The Sword of Victory) and “Sawaeta Chatra” (The
Royal Tiered Umbrella).

Evidence of the Royal Coronation Ceremony appeared in the chronicle of Ayutthaya
period, “Kham Hai Kan Khong Chao Krung Kao” or the (Statements from Prisoners of War from

Ayutthaya in Burma), which records:

“. . . The King of Ayutthaya ordered wood from a fig tree to construct a bench-throne

for use in the auspicious Ablution ceremony of the Royal Coronation Ceremony, and other
occasions, etc. The King would sit on the fig wood bench-throne while being purified with the

consecrated water. After its completion, he transferred his seat to the Bhadrapitha Throne,

where high ranking officials presented the King with the Royal Regalia, which consisted of five
symbolic objects: the royal crown, the royal sword, the royal fan, the royal staff or scepter

and the royal slippers….”

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