The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao (Thai: เครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์จุลจอมเกล้า, rtgs: Khrueang Ratcha Itsariyaphon Chunla Chom Klao) was established on 16 November 1873 by King Rama V of The Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand) to commemorate the 90th Jubilee of the Chakri Dynasty, and bears his name (จุลจอมเกล้า Chula Chom Klao). The pink colour reflects the Tuesday birthday colour for King Rama V.
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.
The Order consists of seven classes, with a distinction made between male and female members. Some of the classes are further broken down 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.
The First Class of the order is broken into two divisions for men, and one division for women.
Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class)
Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross (First Class)
The Second Class of the order is broken into two divisions for men, and two divisions for women.
Knight (or Dame) Grand Commander (Second Class, Upper Grade)
Knight (or Dame) Commander (Second Class, Lower Grade)
The Third Class of the order is broken into three divisions for men, and one division for women.
Grand Companion (Third Class, Upper Grade)
Companion (Third Class, Lower Grade)
Junior Companion
The Fourth Class of the order has a single division for women.
Member (Fourth Class)
Single female members of the Order are titled "Khun" (คุณ - Khun)
Married female members of the Dame Grand Cross and the Dame Grand Commander class are titled "Than Phuying" (ท่านผู้หญิง - Than Phuying)
Married female members of the Dame Commander class and below are titled "Khun Ying" (คุณหญิง - Khun Ying)
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 onto 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.
King Frederick IX of Denmark - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class)
King Olav V of Norway - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class)
King Baudouin of Belgium - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class)
King Harald V of Norway - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class)
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands Knight Grand Cross
Queen Aishwarya of Nepal - Dame Grand Cordon (Special Class)
Queen Silvia of Sweden - Dame Grand Cross (First Class)
