Another royal perogative ensures that all albino or "white" elephants found in Thailand (known as "significantly auspicious elephants") become the King's exclusive property. The discovery of a white elephant is considered an auspicious omen, the animals being presented to the monarch so that his reign may prosper. Regarded as an honorary human being, each "significantly auspicious elephant" is awarded a lordly title and thereafter leads a correspondingly lordly life. King Bhumibol Adulyadej has had seventeen white elephant (eleven still living), the most any Thai king has every owned, which is regarded as an extremely auspicious sign for the success of his reign.
     The Garuda, a mythical half-bird, half-human figure which in Hindu legend served as the mount for the god Vishnu, adorns King Bhumibol Adulyadej's septer and royal standard, as in former times the King was considered an incarnation of Vishnu; thus it is used on Government stationary, as badges on caps for civil service officials, as technically government endeavours are in the service of the King. Moreover, the Garuda signifies the concept of "By Royal Appointment" and the symbol is awarded, at His Majesty's personal discretion, as a sign of royal approval to business companies that have rendered outstanding economic and charitable services to Thailand. Such an award is rarely bestowed and is considered a great honour by recipients.
     As do other monarchs, King Bhumibol Adulyadej enjoys the perogative of bestowing awards and honours on government employees and ordinary citizens who have served the country with civic, administrative, or diplomatic distinction, and to individuals who have rendered great services to the Crown. One distinctive, probably unique feature of Thai royalty is that royal titles are not inherited in perpetuity but lapse gradually over five generations. Thai titles descend through Chao Fa, Phra Ong Chao, Mom Chao, Mom Rajawongse, and Mom Luang. The Children of anyone rank inherit the next lowest rank on the father's side, so that a male Mom Chao's male or female child is a Mom Rajawongse, while a male Mom Luang's child is a plain Mister or Miss. Once titles have lapsed, families of royal descent can add "Na Ayutthaya", or "of Ayutthaya," to their surnames to indicate royal ancestry.


With permission from : The National Identity Office, Office of the Prime Minister, Royal Thai government. (1995). Thailand in the 90s. Bangkok: Amarin Printing and Publishing Public Company Limited.