In 1882, to celebrate the centennial of the Rattanakosin Kingdom, Chulalongkorn created the Order of the Royal House of Chakri and the Dushdi Mala Medal.

They were: Ratchakan Nai Phra-ong (ราชการในพระองค์), for personal service to the king; Ratchakan Phaendin (ราชการแผ่นดิน), for service to the country; Sinlapa Witthaya (ศิลปวิทยา), for inventions benefiting the country, authorship advancing scientific knowledge, or expertise in a craft; Khwam Karuna (ความกรุณา), for charitable acts; and Klahan (กล้าหาญ), for acts of bravery in the military.

The new act modified the appearance of the medal, and removed the other categories of the award, leaving only the Sinlapa Witthaya pin to be granted to those exhibiting expertise in the arts and sciences.

[2] By law, the Dushdi Mala Medal is granted at the discretion of the king, and this was followed in actual practice during its early years.

A 1928 regulation stipulated that the ministries would be responsible for the nomination of government officials under its command, subject to approval from the Royal Society.

The nominations are considered by a special committee, which will make a recommendation for the prime minister to forward to the Royal Household.