---
node: chakri_dynasty
type: organization
slug: chakri_dynasty
title: "Chakri Dynasty"
lead: "The Chakri dynasty has been the royal house of Thailand since April 6, 1782, when Rama I founded it; ten kings, Rama I through Rama X, have reigned. Its kings ruled as absolute monarchs until 1932 and have reigned as constitutional heads of state since."
published: 2026-07-10
updated: 2026-07-10
image_file: chakri_dynasty.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chakri_Maha_Prasat_Throne_Hall_Bangkok.jpg"
image_author: "Philip Nalangan"
image_license: "CC BY 4.0"
---

## What it was

The royal house of Thailand since April 6, 1782, founded by Rama I. Ten kings have reigned, from Rama I to Rama X — Vajiralongkorn, on the throne since 2016 and crowned in May 2019. The name comes from Rama I's pre-royal title, Chao Phraya Chakri, and the dynastic emblem crosses a discus (chakra) with a trident.

## Role

As absolute monarchs from 1782 to 1932, the dynasty's kings rebuilt Siam after Ayutthaya's fall and met Western pressure with treaty diplomacy and internal reform — above all under Mongkut and Chulalongkorn — keeping Siam uncolonized. Since 1932 its kings have reigned as constitutional monarchs: head of state, unifying national symbol and patron of Buddhism. The 70-year reign of Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX, 1946–2016) defined the modern institution's stature.

## Fate

The Chakri dynasty remains the reigning house of Thailand. April 6, the date of its founding, is observed as Chakri Memorial Day.