Khunying, How Does A Lady Qualify To Be Called This?

[prefabs]

Please excuse my ignorance, but we don't have any of them where I come rom. What are the qualifications for a Khunying. And is it hereditary?

[bkkjames]

Please excuse my ignorance, but we don't have any of them where I come rom. What are the qualifications for a Khunying. And is it hereditary?

No mate, it's all about the hair.

[jdinasia]

It is not hereditary and is an honor given by the King

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/edu/back/050328/ask1.html

[Jimjim]

Yes, it's like being knighted in England.

[bkkjames]

Just asked my staff and they came back with the following.

A person / family that is part of the Royal bloodline.

A person who works very closely with the Royal family

or

Someone who supports Royal Initiatives (ie. big donations).

I am sure there is a proper definition out there somewhere. Can we message Mr. Daniels or Mr. Cleary for clarification?

[jdinasia]

Just asked my staff and they came back with the following.

A person / family that is part of the Royal bloodline.

A person who works very closely with the Royal family

or

Someone who supports Royal Initiatives (ie. big donations).

I am sure there is a proper definition out there somewhere. Can we message Mr. Daniels or Mr. Cleary for clarification?

Sorry. but MR is different from Khunying.

The title M R stands for Mom Rajawong, a royal title granted to direct descendants of former kings. M R Kukrit Pramoj was the great grand nephew of King Rama II.

source --- http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/kukrit-pramoj.html

[bkkjames]

Just asked my staff and they came back with the following.

A person / family that is part of the Royal bloodline.

A person who works very closely with the Royal family

or

Someone who supports Royal Initiatives (ie. big donations).

I am sure there is a proper definition out there somewhere. Can we message Mr. Daniels or Mr. Cleary for clarification?

Sorry. but MR is different from Khunying.

The title M R stands for Mom Rajawong, a royal title granted to direct descendants of former kings. M R Kukrit Pramoj was the great grand nephew of King Rama II.

source --- http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/kukrit-pramoj.html

Sorry JD< must have confused you . I meant Mr. Tod Daniels and Mr. Stephen Cleary, regular posters on TV with knowledge of Thai history.

[5tash]

Than Phu Ying is the highest title for a non-royal woman and is equivalent to the British title of Dame.

Khun Ying is a title for married woman lower than Than Phu Ying. An unmarried woman is styled Khun. It is equivalent to the British title of Lady.

[benw10]

donate large amounts of money to select charities preferebly ones that go the right way on dhama wheel

[5tash]

Khun Ying was also the title given to the wife of a Phraya.

Phraya is a rank in ancient Thai nobility.

The Chao Phraya were highest on the list, following on a descending scale came Phraya, Phra, luang, and Khun.

[jdinasia]

Currently it is simply a title earned for benefitting society in Thailand or for being the wife of a prominent politician

Khunying is a title bestowed on a married woman by the King in two categories; the first one is as recognition of her outstanding humanitarian or social work or involvement. The second one is as the wife of a very high-ranking government officer.

from the link given in post 3

bkkjames --- sorry but the explanation from your "staff" was for M R ... not for Khunying.

I even have a Fave Khunying here! Khunying Dr Pornthip

[Maizefarmer]

I can assure all the one criteria that does not play a role when been awarded Khunying or Than PhuYing is the amount of money donated to whatever cause - and by that I mean, you can't buy your way into it - as has happened in the UK for many years.

His Majesty has been scrupulous about that.

It is, as others have correctly noted awarded for services given to Thailand and its people - but yes, many of those awarded have been people who have spent large parts of their lives raising money for good causes.

As far as Mom Rajawongse (หม่อมราชวงศ์ - is that right - come on must be someone who's spelling is beter than mine is) concerned, if I am not mistaken it can only be awarded to children of Mom Chao (again someone correct me). It is somewhat old fashioned and I am not even sure if it is still in use

Interestingly, their are at least 2 foreign women (meaning European women) who hold KhunYing titleship living in Thailand and one Than Phuying - it is not restricted to Thai women!

[Chang_paarp]

I can assure all the one criteria that does not play a role when been awarded Khunying or Than PhuYing is the amount of money donated to whatever cause - and by that I mean, you can't buy your way into it - as has happened in the UK for many years.

<<snip>>

The debate this statement causes, unfortunately, is not permitted on this site.

[5tash]

As far as Mom Rajawongse (หม่อมราชวงศ์ - is that right - come on must be someone who's spelling is beter than mine is) concerned, if I am not mistaken it can only be awarded to children of Mom Chao (again someone correct me). It is somewhat old fashioned and I am not even sure if it is still in use

หม่อน Mom titles are still around today. It is used as a title for commoners to indicate that their ancestry can be traced back to a king.

หม่อมเจ้า Mom Chao is the Kings grand-child, known as Serene Highness (HSH)

หม่อมราชวงศ์ Mom Rajawongse (M.R) is the great-grand-child of the King.

หม่อมหลวง Mom Luang (M.L.) is the great-great-grand-child of the King. These are the last royal descendants still retaining a title.

หม่อมราชวงศ์ Mom Rajawongse (M.R.) can also be referred to informally as คุณหญิง Khun Ying (F) or คุณชาย Khun Chai (M)... so the explanation from Bkkjames' staff was correct.

REASON FOR EDIT: speling misstake!

Edited November 17, 2008 by 5tash

[MrSnrang]

Please excuse my ignorance, but we don't have any of them where I come rom. What are the qualifications for a Khunying. And is it hereditary?

No mate, it's all about the hair.

+1

[simon43]

Just out of interest, who are the 2 European ladies with the title of Khun Ying?

Simon

[jdinasia]

5tash ... hate to disagree, but the title Khunying is a bit different from using the honorific khunying khunchai for someone with the title Mom Rajawongse

Mom Rajawongse (หม่อมราชวงศ์, abbreviated in Thai as ม.ร.ว. and sometimes in English as M.R.) are children of Mom Chao.

The word Rajawongse is from Sanskrit Rajavanshi - indicating of Royal Parentage.

Style Informally, title owners may be styled as Khun Chai(m).../Khunying(f)... (คุณชาย.../คุณหญิง...). (Khunying is also a formal title given to married ladies who have been granted at least the Order of Chulachomklao, Fourth Class.) Holders of this title are occasionally called princes/princesses in English translation, especially in older documents; it is more common these days to use the word Mom Rajawongse.

source-- http://mom-rajawongse.faqspot.info/

[5tash]

5tash ... hate to disagree, but the title Khunying is a bit different from using the honorific khunying khunchai for someone with the title Mom Rajawongse

Mmmm... I'm a little confused.

As far as I'm aware, I never stated that the title Khun Ying was the same as the styled Khun Ying used to address Mom Rajawongses informally.

I was merely pointing out the different uses of "Khun Ying".

[jdinasia]

5tash ... hate to disagree, but the title Khunying is a bit different from using the honorific khunying khunchai for someone with the title Mom Rajawongse

Mmmm... I'm a little confused.

As far as I'm aware, I never stated that the title Khun Ying was the same as the styled Khun Ying used to address Mom Rajawongses informally.

I was merely pointing out the different uses of "Khun Ying".

May just be because the original post is vague ... lends itself to different interpretations.

[grtaylor]

Just out of interest, who are the 2 European ladies with the title of Khun Ying?

Simon

One is Khunying Finola Chatamra, an English lady married to a very eminent Thai gynaecologist, Dr. Kris Chatamra.

I don't know who the other one is.

[Maizefarmer]

Just out of interest, who are the 2 European ladies with the title of Khun Ying?

Simon

One is Khunying Finola Chatamra, an English lady married to a very eminent Thai gynaecologist, Dr. Kris Chatamra.

I don't know who the other one is.

......... thought someone would ask - you've put me on the spot, I need to beat the wife, she's the one who is up-to-date with all this high society stuff. Give me a day or so.

Try Google it - sure to be there somewhere, or look it up on one of the Thai gov websites - they have one somewhere that lists all Honours bestowed.

[Farma]

I've posted this link before.

For those interested to see what the decorations look like, this page has them. http://www.mof.go.th/mofhistory/sort.htm

Click on the Thai writing on the left side to see the decorations.

Fourth Class of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao is toward the bottom of the first group of awards listed on the page.

[Norrad]

As with most things in Thailand, if you have enough money then you can buy the title.

[dannyman]

maizefarmer, just curious. why do you have to beat the wife?

[5tash]

maizefarmer, just curious. why do you have to beat the wife?

I've read it's common practice for maize farmers to beat their wives with maize stems, this is an old tradition said to keep insect pests away from the crop.

[Neeranam]

Just out of interest, who are the 2 European ladies with the title of Khun Ying?

Simon

One is Khunying Finola Chatamra, an English lady married to a very eminent Thai gynaecologist, Dr. Kris Chatamra.

I don't know who the other one is.

Interesting, I never knew non Thais could get it.

My American friend got the Knight Commander of the Exalted White Elephant. I don't know of any other foreigner to get this one. In '97 during the financial crisis(thank God for it as I'm geting 52 baht to the pound now instead of 37), when the banks were refusing to change large amounts of cash, he went back to the bank with his award and they changed the money immediately. Pretty useful for getting of with traffic fines too

[grtaylor]

Just out of interest, who are the 2 European ladies with the title of Khun Ying?

Simon

One is Khunying Finola Chatamra, an English lady married to a very eminent Thai gynaecologist, Dr. Kris Chatamra.

I don't know who the other one is.

Interesting, I never knew non Thais could get it.

My American friend got the Knight Commander of the Exalted White Elephant. I don't know of any other foreigner to get this one. In '97 during the financial crisis(thank God for it as I'm geting 52 baht to the pound now instead of 37), when the banks were refusing to change large amounts of cash, he went back to the bank with his award and they changed the money immediately. Pretty useful for getting of with traffic fines too

Kurt Wachtveitl, GM of the Oriental Hotel, has the Order of the White Elephant (4th Class), and I think that Father Joe Meier, of the Human Development Foundation has it also.