About Rajadabhisek Mala Medal (also known as the "Nude" Medal)
Compiled from partner sources; under review and editing by our team.
Translated from Thai by AI and not yet reviewed by our team. Names and royal titles may need correction.
History
Using the abbreviation R.S. (Rattanakosin Era), this is a royal decoration awarded as a commemorative medal. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) graciously commanded that this medal be made for presentation to members of the royal family and to officials and courtiers, both of the outer court and of the inner court, as a souvenir of the special auspicious ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of his accession to the throne on 1 October 1893 (B.E. 2436), and it was presented on a second occasion, at the Coronation Day (Chatra Mongkhon) ceremony and the celebration of the Tripitaka (Buddhist canon), on 11 November 1893 (B.E. 2436).
The Rajadabhisek Mala Medal exists in only one type, struck in silver. The obverse bears the portrait of King Chulalongkorn, with an inscription around the rim reading "สมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาจุฬาลงกรณ พระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว ปรมราชาธิราช" (Somdet Phra Paramindra Maha Chulalongkorn Phra Chulachomklao Chao Yu Hua, Paramarajadhiraj).
The reverse bears the inscription "ที่รฦกการพระราชพิธีฉลองสิริราชสมบัติครบ ๒๕ ปี วันที่ ๑ ตุลาคม รัตนโกสินทรศก ๒๖ ๑๑๒" (In memory of the royal ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of accession, 1 October, Rattanakosin Era 26 [sic] 112), set within a wreath of Phutthaluk (Buddha's cassia) and Chaiyaphruek (golden shower) blossoms. It has a suspension loop and is worn from a pink ribbon with white stripes on both sides, 2.5 centimeters wide.
For presentation to the outer court, it is worn on the left breast of the jacket. For presentation to the inner court, only the medal itself is given, without a suspension loop and without a ribbon, but as a keepsake; recipients might also have it made into jewelry or containers, such as brooches, bracelets, or cases. For presentation to Buddhist monks holding ecclesiastical rank, a copper medal is awarded.
1. It is presented to members of the royal family and to officials and courtiers of both the outer and inner courts, as a hereditary right not requiring return, and was presented only on the auspicious occasions of the ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of accession on 1 October R.S. 112 (1893) and the Coronation Day and Tripitaka celebration ceremony on 11 November R.S. 112 (1893).
2. Recipients had to sign the register book of the Ministry of the Privy Seal (Muratha Thon) before they could wear this medal. A medal worn without signing the register was considered a counterfeit and not a royal award.
3. When the recipient died, the heir would keep it as a memento in perpetuity, but had no right to wear it.
