Chief Royal Brahmin () is the title given to the head of the Brahmin clergy at the Royal Devasathan Temple in Bangkok. Serving as the highest leader of Brahmanism in Thailand, the Chief Royal Brahmin oversees the performance of sacred rites that have been part of the Thai royal court for centuries. The office is traditionally passed down through hereditary lines of families whose ancestors were Indian Hindus who migrated and settled in Thailand.
Today, seven Brahmin families continue to serve in royal ceremonies. These lineagesâÂÂSayompop, Komolvetin, Nakavetin, Wutthipram, Phawangkanan, Rattanapram, Buranasiri, and RangsipramanakulâÂÂare known collectively as the royal Brahmins. A number of other families once played important roles, but no longer have ordained Brahmins to carry on the tradition, such as the Kurukul, Siripramanakul, Wasuparam, Sattavetin, Sawasdivetin, Setapram, and Charusen lineages. Although these families identify as Buddhists, they also preserve elements of Hindu worship and devotion to deities like Shiva and Vishnu.
The Chief Royal Brahmin, formally called Phra Ratchakhru Wam Thep Muni, is appointed by the King of Thailand. Candidates are usually chosen from among families with close ties to the previous office holder. In the modern Thai state, royal Brahmins are officially recognized as part of the Royal Ceremonies Division under the Bureau of the Royal Household.
The current holder of the office is Phra Maharatchakhru Phithi Si Wisutthikhun (Chawin Rangsipramanakul), who has served since 1999. Another senior Brahmin role is the Phra Maharatchakhru Atthachan, the head of the Brahmin council.
The Chief Royal Brahmin plays a central role in ThailandâÂÂs state and royal ceremonies. Among the most important are:
These rites, performed mainly at the Devasathan and other royal sites, embody a unique blending of Brahmanical and Buddhist traditions within the Thai court.
A record of Chief Royal Brahmins (Phra Maharatchakhru) has been kept since the reign of King Rama I.