Commemorative Medal for the Royal Bathing Ceremony and Conferment of the Full Royal Title upon the Crown Prince, Reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V)

History

Crown Prince Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis, Siam Crown Prince, was the first son of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and Queen Sawang Wattana. In 1886 (B.E. 2429), King Chulalongkorn graciously ordered the royal bathing ceremony and conferment of the full royal title upon Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis, who was then 9 years and 6 months old. The ceremony was held in full accordance with ancient royal tradition.

Regarding the number of medals bestowed, a search of the Daily Royal Activities Record (Chotmaihet Phra Ratchakit Raiwan), written by King Chulalongkorn himself, turned up an entry for Tuesday, the 10th day of the waning moon of the 2nd month, Year of the Dog, eighth year of the decade, Era 1248, reign day 6643 (18 January 1886 (B.E. 2429)). The relevant passage is excerpted here: "Furthermore, when the royal relatives, the ministers, the phraya and phra lhuang officials, officials of the capital and provincial cities, and the rulers of the tributary states came to pay homage before the throne, His Majesty graciously commanded the officials to distribute commemorative medals of this auspicious royal ceremony to everyone. Prince Si Saowaphang distributed the medals for the northern line, that is, the civil side; Prince Sonbandit distributed those for the southern line, that is, the military side. The medals distributed this time were of gold, gilt, silver and bronze, slightly larger than a silver baht and about twice as thick. One side of the medal bears a portrait of the Crown Prince in the attire worn on the day of the chanting ceremony, wearing the Chulalongkorn crested topknot crown, with a surrounding inscription: Somdet Phra Borom Orasathirat Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis Adisorn Worama Chulalongkorn, with the added epithets Wiboon Sawat Siri Wat Wisut, Siam Crown Prince. The other side shows the bathing platform, with the inscription: In commemoration of the royal bathing ceremony and conferment of the full royal title, Year of the Dog, eighth year of the decade, Era 1248. The number bestowed on this day was about one thousand and several hundred." This information gives both the date of the bestowal and the approximate number of medals given.

The medal illustrated here is a silver example. Its original surface remains intact; the toning visible is merely the patina of age, and neither face bears any marks. This medal was bestowed together with its box.

Another photograph is shown to display more clearly the original surface of the medal, which has a proof finish, a type of polished surface. In person it shows a beetle-wing iridescent color.

Also shown is the box that was bestowed with the medal, bearing the Prince's personal emblem on its lid. The next image shows it photographed alongside the Daily Record (Chotmaihet Raiwan), the daily diary of Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis. Remarkably, he began keeping this diary at the age of only 5, which demonstrates the excellent upbringing he received from his royal father. The bestowed box also has the recipient's name inscribed inside the lid.

The model bathing platform depicted on the reverse of the medal can be viewed at the National Museum, Bangkok.

A photograph of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and Crown Prince Chao Fa Maha Vajirunhis, Siam Crown Prince, seated in the pavilion at Sanam Chai field, in front of the Sutthaisawan Throne Hall, bestowing commemorative medals during the royal bathing ceremony and conferment of the full royal title establishing the Crown Prince, on 18 January 1886 (B.E. 2429).