There was recent discussion here about the title ณ อยุธยา which is bestowed upon the descendants of Rama VI according to the Family Name Act, BE 2465. I haven't read the act, but there are similar titles such as ณ ระนอง and ณ สงขลา which I presume have a similar origin and all of which appear to be associated with ancient independent kingdoms. ณ ป้อมเพชร, however, doesn't seem to fit the pattern. I'm not aware of any ancient kingdom called ป้อมเพชร, and the only thing it brings to mind is the fort in Ayutthaya of the same name (a rather dilapidated place, used for picnics by Thai teenagers wanting to drink beer and take drugs). Is this really the place from which a khunying and former Prime Minister's ex-wife derives her title? Or is there some other explanation?

Actually, ณ อยุธยา can be the descendent of any Rama, especially Rama V was very prolific. Each prince after their descendent gets to the last level of royal title of Mom Luang, their descendent will end up with their own branch of Na Ayudhaya, such as Xumsaeng, Suksawas, Thepsadin etc etc.

All "Na Ayudhaya" are descendent of house of Chakri.

While the other Na, if it's followed by a city name, means that they're descendent of former local royal houses. Almost comparable to the German "von".

Potchaman's surname was at birth Damapong, but after her parents divorced, she changed her surname to her mother's, which is Na Pombejra.

She married Thaksin and took his surname. After their pro forma divorce, she changed her surname back to Na Pombejra.

You can read about the origins of ณ ป้อมเพชร here:

Thai wikipedia

Edited May 15, 201511 yr by Mole