Phraya

Phraya (พระยา) is a Thai noble title historically used in the kingdoms of Siam, including Ayutthaya and early Bangkok. It denotes a high rank within the traditional system of aristocratic titles and is typically interpreted as an honorific for senior officials and provincial governors. The title is formed from the honorific prefix Phra and a suffix derived from royal-era terminology, reflecting its origin in Sanskrit and Pali linguistic influences.

In its practical use, a Phraya was usually a high-ranking official entrusted with important administrative, military, or diplomatic responsibilities. Titles in the Siamese hierarchy placed Phraya below the supreme Chao Phraya but above other noble ranks, marking the bearer as a person of significant status within the royal administration. Style and address followed formal conventions, with the holder referred to as Phraya X and addressed accordingly in court and official correspondence.

With modernization and reforms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Thai system of noble titles was reorganized, and the official use of titles such as Phraya declined. Today, Phraya survives mainly in historical records, genealogies, and ceremonial contexts, and may appear in the names of former titleholders or as part of traditional place and institution names. The term remains a key element in discussions of Thai aristocratic history and the evolution of governance under the monarchy. See also: Chao Phraya, Thai nobility, Royal decrees on titles.