The Royal Crest Honouring
His Majesty the King's Birthday

On December 5, 2542 (1999) His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth monarch of the reigning Chakri Dynasty, celebrated his 72nd birthday. This is an especially significant celebration of his birth as it marks the completion of his sixth cycle of 12 years. To honour His Majesty, a new Royal Crest was created in commemoration of that important occasion. It was and is a token of the gratitude of the Thai people to His Majesty and represents the high esteem in which they hold him.

Each and every part of this Royal Crest is deeply significant, symbolizing some aspect of his reign. In the centre can be seen the Thai initials which, when rendered into English, are written Phor Por Ror, an abbreviation of His Majesty's Royal Signature, Phra Paramapithai. The letters are in yellow, the colour associated with the day on which His Majesty was born, and they are set on a field of blue, symbolizing the monarchy. Surrounding the central initials is a disc or Chakra at the top of which is the Thai numeral 9 , indicating that His Majesty is King Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty, and immediately above the numeral is the Royal Crown, Mahapichaimongkut, the Great Crown of Victory. The whole is seated upon the Royal Throne of the Eight Cardinal Compass Points which, together with the Royal Crown, signify that His Majesty is the focus of the entire Kingdom, unifying and binding the people's hearts and loyalty.

On either side of the central seal are seven tiered umbrellas, called Saptapadol Sawetachatra, and the seal is topped by Noppadolmaha Sawetachatra, the umbrella of nine tiers, both of which are symbolic of kingship, the important Chatra or Royal Umbrellas of State. Around the central seal is a border divided into four sections, each representing one of the regions of the Kingdom, the north, the northeast, the centre and the south. The border is filled with a field of green, a colour indicating peace and abundance and symbolizing the tranquillity and prosperity enjoyed by the Thai people under His Majesty's supreme protection. In each of the indentations of the border is a lotus bud, gifts of respectful offering on the occasion of His Majesty's Sixth Cycle Birthday.

Surrounding the Crest are the stylized golden rays of the sun, which signify the grace and benevolence of the King, radiating throughout the nation and even beyond, and which bring pride and joy to all of His Majesty's subjects.

Beneath the Royal Crest is a blue silk banner unfurled, with a Thai inscription upon it which may be translated as "The Royal Occasion of His Majesty's Sixth-Cycle Birthday on 5 December 2542 (1999)."

The Royal Crest is very much a symbol of the Thai people's reverence for their monarch, for it was not designed through formal channels but was the "winning entry in a design contest organized by the government". The winning designer, Niran Kraisomrat, said that his love, loyalty and attachment to His Majesty inspired him to participate in the contest. Each of the components in his design has profound symbolism indicating the love and adoration of the Thai people for their King.

The Royal Crest was not created merely to commemorate the sixth cycle birthday of the King, but represents His Majesty himself. It acts as a focus and a reminder to the Thai people of King Rama IX's kindness, favour and royal grace that the Thai people may return these great attributes by being virtuous in return, demonstrating diligence, patience, honesty and modesty to honour the greatness and goodness of their King. May His Majesty reign for another cycle of twelve years in good health and happiness.

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