The Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems (Thai: เครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นโบราณมงคลนพรัตนราชวราภรณ์; RTGS: Khrueang Ratcha-itsariyaphon An Pen Borannamongkhon Noppharat Ratchawaraphon) was established in 1861 by King Mongkut (Rama IV) of the Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand). The order is bestowed upon the members of the Thai royal family and distinguished high-ranking officials who have given service to the kingdom and who are active Buddhist laypeople. In practice, it is the highest Thai order granted to Thai citizens, as the two higher orders are reserved for royalty or foreign heads of state. Members of the order are entitled to use the postnominals น.ร.
| The Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems เครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นโบราณมงคลนพรัตนราชวราภรณ์ | |
|---|---|
Woodcraving of the Order of the Nine Gems at Wat Ratchabophit, Bangkok. | |
| Awarded by the King of Thailand | |
| Type | Chivalric order |
| Established | 1861 |
| Religious affiliation | Buddhism |
| Seat | 27 |
| Eligibility | Royal Family and Lay Buddhists |
| Criteria | At the monarch's pleasure |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| Founder | Mongkut |
| Sovereign | Vajiralongkorn |
| Grades | Knight/Dame |
| Statistics | |
| First induction | 1861 |
| Last induction | 28 July 2019 |
| Total inductees | 73 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Order of the Royal House of Chakri |
| Next (lower) | Order of Chula Chom Klao |
Ribbon bar of the Order of the Nine Gems | |
History
The order is based on the model of European orders of chivalry and merit. The nine gems are the Thai form of the original Hindu royal amulet known as the navaratna and in its original form consisted of a ring of gold bearing the nine gems awarded to a Thai general after he won an important military victory and is also part of the royal insignia given the Thai king at his coronation. This ring still is part of the insignia of the order and worn by the male members of the order. The nine precious stones of the royal amulet constitute an integral part of both the badge and the star of the order.
The nine gems and the corresponding benefits that they bestow on their bearers are:
- Diamond—Power, wealth, success over enemies
- Ruby—Success and longevity
- Emerald—Strength and security
- Yellow Sapphire—Charm and love
- Garnet—Health and longevity
- Blue Sapphire—Love and wealth
- Pearl/Moonstone—Purity, happiness, and success over enemies
- Zircon/Topaz—Wealth and success in legal affairs
- Cat's Eye—Protection by spirits, and from fire
Insignia
The decoration consists of a single class (knight). The insignia are:
- Pendant of the Nine Gems (Navaratna), on a yellow sash with red, blue, and green trim, worn over the right shoulder to the left hip (for men). For women, the Pendant of the Nine Gems is attached to a silk ribbon, worn on the front left shoulder.
- Star of the Nine Gems, to wear on the left breast.
- Gold Ring of the Nine Gems, for men, to wear on the right index finger.
- The Sovereign Grand Master of the Order is Knight but added the Chain of the Nine Gems sash above to wear over the right shoulder to the left hip above sash badge and the star is decorated with diamonds.
List of Sovereigns
| Years | Name |
|---|---|
| 1851–1868 | King Mongkut (Rama IV) |
| 1868–1910 | King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) |
| 1910–1925 | King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) |
| 1925–1935 | King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) |
| 1935–1946 | King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) |
| 1946–2016 | King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) |
| 2016–present | King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) |
List of recipients
Highlights indicate living members
Royal Knights
| Year | Name | Appointed by | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | King Pinklao | Rama IV | |
| 1851 | Prince Wongsa Dhiraj Snid | Rama IV | |
| 1851 | Prince Mahesuan Siwawilat | Rama IV | |
| 1851 | Prince Witsanunat Niphathon | Rama IV | |
| 1851 | Emperor Napoleon III | Rama IV | |
| 1869 | Prince Wichaichan | Rama V | |
| 1869 | Prince Deves Wacharindra | Rama V | |
| 1869 | Prince Bamrab Porapak | Rama V | |
| 1869 | Prince Chaturonrasmi | Rama V | |
| 1869 | Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse | Rama V | |
| 1879 | Prince Vorasakda Phisan | Rama V | |
| 1886 | Crown Prince Maha Vajirunhis | Rama V | |
| 1886 | Prince Devawongse Varoprakar | Rama V | |
| 1893 | Prince Bodin Phaisansophon | Rama V | |
| 1893 | Prince Naresr Varariddhi | Rama V | |
| 1893 | Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong | Rama V | |
| 1894 | Prince Gagananga Yukala | Rama V | |
| 1894 | Prince Paribatra Sukhumbandhu | Rama V | |
| 1894 | Prince Sommatiwongse Varodaya | Rama V | |
| 1894 | Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath | Rama V | |
| 1894 | Prince Yugala Dighambara | Rama V | |
| 1895 | Emperor Guangxu of Qing | Rama V | |
| 1901 | Prince Asdang Dejavudh | Rama V | |
| 1901 | Prince Damrong Rajanubhab | Rama V | |
| Prince Sawang Chakrabandh | Rama V | ||
| 1911 | Prince Mahidol Adulyadej | Rama VI | |
| 1911 | Prince Chudadhuj Dharadilok | Rama VI | |
| 1911 | Prince Thongthaem Thavalyawongse | Rama VI | |
| 1911 | Prince Sawasdiprawat | Rama VI | |
| 1911 | Prince Kitiyakara Voralaksana | Rama VI | |
| 1911 | Prince Pravitra Vadhanodom | Rama VI | |
| 1911 | Prince Chirapravati Voradej | Rama VI | |
| 1912 | Prince Chumphon Somphot | Rama VI | |
| 1912 | Prince Raphi Phatthanasak | Rama VI | |
| 1913 | Prince Svasti Sobhana | Rama VI | |
| 1914 | Prince Sukhasawasdee | Rama VI | |
| 1914 | Prince Kashemsanta Sobhaga | Rama VI | |
| 1920 | Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse | Rama VI | |
| 1920 | Prince Narathip Praphanphong | Rama VI | |
| 1922 | Prince Purachatra Jayakara | Rama VI | |
| 1931 | Prince Vudhijaya Chalermlabha | Rama VII | |
| 1941 | Prince Aditya Dibabha | Rama VIII | |
| 1950 | Prince Rangsit Prayurasakdi | Rama IX | |
| 1973 | Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (later King Rama X) | Rama IX |
Royal Dames
| Year | Name | Appointed by | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1879 | Queen Sunanda Kumariratana | Rama V | |
| 1893 | Queen Savang Vadhana | Rama V | |
| Queen Saovabha Phongsri | Rama V | ||
| Queen Sukhumala Marasri | Rama V | ||
| 1903 | Princess Suddha Dibyaratana | Rama V | |
| 1905 | Princess Yaovamalaya Narumala | Rama V | |
| Princess consort Saisavali Bhiromya | Rama V | ||
| 1911 | Princess Valaya Alongkorn | Rama VI | |
| 1920 | Princess Malini Nobhadara | Rama VI | |
| Princess Nibha Nobhadol | Rama VI | ||
| 1922 | Queen Indrasakdi Sachi (later degraded to princess consort) | Rama VI | |
| 1925 | Queen Rambai Barni | Rama VII | |
| 1926 | Princess Somavadi | Rama VII | |
| 1931 | Princess Nabhabhorn Prabha | Rama VII | |
| 1950 | Queen Sirikit | Rama IX | |
| 1961 | Princess mother Srinagarindra | Rama IX | |
| 1977 | Princess Sirindhorn | Rama IX | |
| 1983 | Princess Galyani Vadhana | Rama IX | |
| 1993 | Princess Chulabhorn | Rama IX | |
| 2019 | Queen Suthida | Rama X | |
| 2019 | Princess Soamsawali | Rama X | |
| 2019 | Princess Bajrakitiyabha | Rama X |
Knights
| Year | Name | Appointed by | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1869 | Sri Suriwongse (Chuang Bunnag) | Rama V | |
| 1886 | Surawongwaiwat (Worn Bunnag) | Rama V | |
| 1920 | Bodindechanuchit (Arun Chatrakul) | Rama VI | |
| 1924 | Yommaraj (Pan Sukhum) | Rama VI | |
| 1941 | Phichayendrayodhin (Um Indrayodhin) | Rama VIII | |
| 1941 | Plaek Phibunsongkhram | Rama VIII | |
| 1945 | Pridi Banomyong | Rama VIII | |
| 1959 | Sarit Thanarat | Rama IX | |
| 1988 | Prem Tinsulanonda | Rama IX | |
| 1996 | Sanya Dharmasakti | Rama IX |
Living recipients of the order
| Rama IX (1946–2016) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Name | Date | Present age | Notes | Ref. |
| HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn RMBh MChK NR PChW SR | 16 January 1973 | 73 | Sovereign of the order since 13 October 2016. | ||
| HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Princess Royal MChK NR PCh MPCh MVM | 5 December 1977 | 70 | |||
| HRH Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, the Princess Srisavangavadhana MChK NR PCh MPCh MVM | 16 June 1993 | 68 | |||
| Rama X (2016–present) | |||||
| Image | Name | Date | Present age | Notes | Ref. |
| HM Queen Suthida MChK NR PCh MPCh MVM | 4 May 2019 | 47 | |||
| HRH Princess Soamsawali, the Princess Suddhanarinatha MChK NR PCh MPCh MVM | 5 May 2019 | 68 | |||
| HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the Princess Rajasarini Siribajra MChK NR PCh MPCh MVM | 28 July 2019 | 47 | |||
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