Confusion over correct pronunciation of part of King’s full name
The Public Relations Department and government officials will continue to pronounce the first part of the full name of the late HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej as “phra-baad-som-dej-phra-po-ra-min-ta-ra-ma-ha-bhu-mi-bon-a-dul-ya-dej”, government spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday.
The King’s name can be pronounced in various ways so the government will not enforce a particular pronunciation, Sansern said. “It’s up to you because all Thais are of the same heart,” he added.
The Office of the Royal Society previously stated the section of the late King’s name in question should be pronounced as “po-ra-min” or “pa-ra-min”, although people could opt for “pa-ra-min-tra” as per the Pali and Sanskrit-influenced pronunciation. The phrase translates in English to “the supreme”.
The recent confusion over how to pronounce the king’s name correctly stemmed from variations including “po-ra-min-tra” and “pa-ra-min-tra”, while the Public Relations Department on Wednesday told the public that the correct pronunciation was “pa-ra-min-ta-ra”.
