Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society/Volume 1/Siamese Titles
SIAMESE TITLES.
The following note is appended to Capt. Burney's map of the Siamese Provinces (referred to at p. 57) and is no doubt in Capt. Burney's handwriting. It was probably written in 1826, when the first Treaty with Siam was framed.
It is of course as difficult to define the exact meaning of Siamese Titles, as that of many English Titles and degrees of rank.
"Chow is Lord and Master, and Chow Mooung Lord or Governor of a country. The Governor General of India is styled Chow Mooung Bengala; Khun is love and gratitude, aud a Chief in conversation is styled, "Chow Khun." Than is just, so Chow Than is a title generally given to a chief. Pya, when added to the name of a country or town, sigaifics Governor, thus the Governor of Penang is styled Pya Ko Mak, or the King of Kedah Pya Mooung Serai. The Siamese name of Kedah, Mooung Serai, is taken from Kedah Peak, which they call "Khas Serai," and the Malays "Gunong Jerai" or "Cherai," "Chow Pya" may be translated into Governor General, but it is a title also annexed to high offices near the sovereign, and particularly to chiefs nearly related to the Royal Family; thus the "Kalahom" or commander in chief, and the "Chakri," or Prime Minister are called "Chow Pya." The former superintends the affairs of all Provinces to the South of Bangkok, and the latter, of all to the North of that eity; and to their affairs respectively the most minute reports are transmitted from every Province, from Singora to Cheung Mai or Zemce. The present Minister for Foreign Affairs is a Pya, "Pya Klang," and being related to the Royal Family is often styled "Chow Pya." He is said to be very friendly to the English: Prak, when annexed to a form or country, may be translated into Lieutenant Governor; "Luang" or "Chrom" to a Resident, and "Mom" or "Khom" to an officer in charge; much lower in rank "Pya," "Prak," &c., are also conferred as honorary titles on other public officers, and when annexed to a man's name appear to correspond to Baronets, Knights &c. The late Mr. Light is said to have been made a "Prak" by the King of Siam.
"Punahua," Loubere translates into "Hua" (the head) of "Phan" (Thousands); but I am told the title is derived from "Phoh," father, "No" on, "Hua" head, meaning "I bear you as my father on my head" denoting the highesc respect according to the custom of oriental nations. The Siamese generally affix the wood "Phoh," father, to the names of their chiefs. The three sons of the Chow Pya of Ligor styled "Phoh Kloom," "Phoh-Pho" and "Phoh-Sing," the last of which resembled so nearly the Malayan wood "Poosing" deceitful, that the father on establishing that son at Kedah directed him to be always called by the Malayan title "Baginda Muda," or young Prince. The Siamese name for Singapore is "Ko-mai" new Island."