Chakri Dynasty
The Chakri Dynasty (Thai: ราชวงศ์จักรี; rtgs: Ratchawong Chakkri, Thai pronunciation: [râ:t.tɕʰá.woŋ.tɕàk.kri:], Pronunciation) is the current ruling royal house of the Kingdom of Thailand, while the Head of the house is the King of Thailand. The dynasty has ruled Thailand since the founding of the Rattanakosin Era and the city of Bangkok in 1782 following the end of King Taksin of Thonburi's reign, when the capital of Siam shifted to Bangkok. The royal house was founded by King Rama I, an Ayutthayan military leader of Sino-Mon descent.
Prior to the founding of the dynasty, King Rama I held for years the title Chakri, the title of the civil chancellor (สมุหนายก). In founding the dynasty, King Rama I himself chose "Chakri" as the name for the dynasty. The emblem of the dynasty is composed of the discus (Chakra) and the trident (Trisula), the celestial weapon of the god Narayana (also known as Vishnu) of whom the Thai sovereign is seen as an incarnation.
The current head of the house has been King Bhumibol Adulyadej since 1946, while his heir apparent is Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. The house's current dynastic seat is the Grand Palace in Bangkok.