Page 29 - The Royal Coronation Ceremony

History of the Royal Coronation Ceremony

The Royal Coronation ceremony is an ancient traditional royal practice in Thai society, highly influenced from
Indian precepts. However, few details of the ceremony from 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
Phithi Racha Phisek” or “Phithi Racha Phisek,” but presently it is called “Phra Ratcha Phithi Boromma Racha Phisek.”
Evidence of a coronation event comes from the stone inscription No. 2 or the “Wat Sichum Inscription.” It
records an event that occurred in the 13th 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 Khu Bang
Klang Hao to rule Sukhothai, offering his name to his friend, Si Indra Bodindradit...” 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 Dhamaraja I (Lithai) and these consisted of “Phra Khan Chai Si” (The Sword of Victory)
and “Saweta 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 figwood 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...”

Mural Painting in the ubosot of Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram, Samutsongkhram Province.
Depicting the scene of the Chief Brahmin presented the Sword of Victory to His Majesty
King Buddha Lert La Nabhalai (Rama II) during the Royal Coronation Ceremony.

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The Royal Coronation Ceremony