Order of Chula Chom Klao


The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao is a Thai order established on 16 November 1873 by King Chulalongkorn to commemorate the 90th jubilee of the Chakri dynasty. The order bears his name, Chula Chom Klao, and its ribbon is pink, symbolising the birthday colour of Tuesday, the day of Chulalongkorn's birth.

Insignia

The full insignia for the Order consists of:
  • Pendant - The pendant design varies between classes.
  • Sash - Female: The pendant is suspended from a pink sash 7.5 cm wide, worn over the left shoulder to the right hip. It can also be attached onto the silk ribbon of 5 cm wide, to wear on the front left shoulder.
  • Star - The star design varies between classes.
  • Collar - The collar consists of sixteen Royal Ciphers of King Rama V in pink enamel and seventeen gold rosettes fastened to each other by chain links. The centre of the collar has an oval medallion with Airavata elephants, enamelled in white, and a gold crown with a starburst at the top. Flanking the medallion on either side are two gold lion supporters, carrying Royal Parasols. The whole piece is topped with white bows.
  • Medal - The medal, also known as the 'Junior Companion', is a silver disc. The central piece bears a portrait of King Rama V and is surrounded by a raised band, engraved with the motto "I Shall Maintain My Royal Family". The whole piece is edged with a wreath and topped with a crown with a starburst. The reverse of the medal is engraved with Airavata elephants bearing the Trident and Thai script. The whole piece is surrounded by a Chakra and gold wreaths. The medal is suspended from a pink silk band of 4 cm wide, to wear on the left chest.
Image:Orde van Chula Chm Klao.jpg|right|thumb|Medal of the Order.

Classes

The Order consists of three classes for male and female members, with an additional fourth class for women only. Some of the classes are further subdivided into several divisions. The number of members in each division is also limited. During the 50th anniversary of his accession to the throne, King Bhumibol promoted all recipients of the Order during the reign of his predecessor, King Rama VIII, by one class higher.

Sovereign

The Sovereign of the order is Knight Grand Cordon but their insignia is decorated with diamonds.

Consort

The Consort is Knight Grand Cordon, Special Class but their insignia is decorated with diamonds, though less than that of the Sovereign's.

First Class

The First Class of the order is broken into two divisions for men, and one division for women.
The Second Class of the order is broken into two divisions for men, and two divisions for women.
The Third Class of the order is broken into three divisions for men, and one division for women.
  • 80px Grand Companion
  • 80px Companion
  • 80px '''Junior Companion'''

    Fourth Class

The Fourth Class of the order has a single division for women.
  • 80px '''Member'''

    Titles for female members

  • Married female recipients of the Dame Grand Cross and the Dame Grand Commander classes are titled Than Phu Ying
  • Married female recipients of the Commander, Companion or Member classes are titled Khun Ying
  • Unmarried female recipients of the Order are titled ''Khun''

    Inheritance

  • Should a person be conferred the Knight Grand Cordon, his son should inherit the insignia on his death. 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 on his death.
  • Should a person be conferred the Knight Grand Commander or Knight Commander, his son should inherit the insignia on his death.
  • The person inheriting the insignia must be the eldest son of the family. Should he be inappropriate, the insignia should pass on to the younger sons.
  • Should the person inheriting the insignia be insane or dead, it should be passed onto the son of that person.
  • Should the person inherit the insignia from his father, he should be conferred as a Companion.
  • Should the person inherit the insignia from his grandfather he should be conferred as a Junior Companion.

    Foreign recipients of the Order

  • King Frederik IX of Denmark - Knight Grand Cordon
  • King Olav V of Norway - Knight Grand Cordon
  • King Baudouin of Belgium - Knight Grand Cordon
  • King Harald V of Norway - Knight Grand Cordon
  • King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands Knight Grand Cross
  • Sukarno, President of Indonesia - Knight Grand Cross
  • Queen Aishwarya of Nepal - Dame Grand Cordon
  • Queen Sofia of Spain- Dame Grand Cross
  • Queen Silvia of Sweden - Dame Grand Cross
  • King Frederik X, Knight Grand Cross
  • Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, Dame Grand Cross
  • Siti Hartinah, First Lady of Indonesia, Dame Grand Cross