The national flag of Thailand, also known as the Tricolor Flag, is one of the key symbols of the country. The flag consists of five horizontal stripes – alternating between red, white and blue – with the middle blue stripe being twice as wide as the other stripes. The flag has a rich history and cultural symbolism tied to its design elements.
History of the Thailand Flag
The origins of the current Thailand flag date back to 1917, during the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). The King appointed a commission to create a national flag for Siam, as Thailand was known at the time. The commission designed a flag with a red field and white elephant, known as the Dhamma Chakka Flag. However, this design was seen as too similar to the flag of the British East India Company.
In 1917, King Vajiravudh made some modifications to the flag design. He changed the red background to stripes of red, white and blue. The white elephant symbol was also replaced with the royal seal at the flag’s center. Each element carried symbolic meaning. The three colors represented the key pillars of Thai society – nation, religion, and monarchy. The middle blue stripe represented the Thai monarchy. The seal depicted the Chakri dynasty crown and trident representing sovereignty.
This basic design was adopted as the national flag of Thailand on September 28, 1917 and has remained the same since then. The only change has been minor modifications to the royal seal over different monarch reigns in Thailand.
Symbolism of the Thailand Flag
The colors and design elements of the Thailand flag carry deep meaning and symbolism.
The Three Colors
The three color bands represent the key institutions of Thai society:
- Red – Nation
- White – Religion
- Blue – Monarchy
Red symbolizes the bloodshed by the Thai people in building and protecting the nation. White represents the purity of Buddhism, the majority faith in Thailand. Blue represents the Thai monarchy, the revered royal institution.
The Middle Blue Stripe
The wider middle blue stripe gives special honor to the monarchy. The blue color represents King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) who helped establish the current Thailand flag.
The Royal Seal
The royal seal at the flag’s center depicts the following elements:
- The Great Crown of Victory – Worn by Thai kings since the 18th century
- The trident-headed scepter – Symbol of divine power and authority
- The royal chakra – Symbol of righteousness, protection, and Vishnu
- The royal flowers – the three-headed Thai jasmine flower with two five-leaf flowers on either side
Together, these symbols represent the sovereignty of the Thai monarchy empowered by divine right.
The Five Stripes
The five horizontal stripes represent the five main groups inhabiting Thailand:
- Thai
- Mon
- Khmer
- Malay
- Other ethnicities/foreigners
The equal size red and white stripes represent equality between the Thai majority and other ethnic groups in the country.
Use of the Thailand Flag
The Thailand flag is flown prominently across the country and treated with utmost respect and protocol. Some guidelines for use of the Thailand flag include:
- The flag must never touch the ground or be placed below other flags
- The Thai flag is always flown above other national flags when together
- During mourning, the flag is flown at half-mast
- No other flags or emblems should be placed higher than the Thai flag
- The flag should be raised briskly and lowered ceremoniously
Defacing or misusing the Thai flag is considered a serious offence under the Flag Act of 1979. This includes modifying its colors or design, using it for commercial purposes, or failing to treat it with respect.
The Thailand flag is proudly displayed at Thai homes, government buildings, institutions, airports, seaports, and more. The Thai populace views the national flag with great reverence.
Evolution of the Thailand Flag
While the basic elements have remained the same, the royal seal at the center has evolved across different monarch reigns:
| Reign | Royal Seal Design |
|---|---|
| King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) 1917-1925 | Original Chakri dynasty seal design |
| King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) 1925-1935 | Simplified seal with just the crown and trident |
| King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) 1935-1946 | Prajadhipok’s seal placed on rays of sunlight |
| King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) 1946-2016 | Return to the original Chakri seal |
| King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) 2016-present | Chakri seal with King’s royal cypher |
This evolution of the royal emblem reflects changes across monarch reigns through Thailand’s history.
Importance of the Thailand Flag
The Thailand flag is a source of great national pride and unity for the Thai people. Some key reasons for its importance:
- Represents the Thai nation and its sovereignty
- Symbol of key pillars like monarchy, religion, ethnicity
- Links to influential kings like Rama VI who established the flag
- Reminds Thais of the struggles and sacrifice in building their country
- Displayed proudly across Thailand in times of celebration and mourning
For these reasons, the Thailand flag has a special place in the hearts of all Thai citizens as a beloved national symbol.
Conclusion
The flag of Thailand with its red, white and blue stripes is an instantly recognizable symbol across the world. While the basic design has remained unchanged for nearly a century, each element carries deep meaning and significance. The flag encapsulates core Thai values related to the monarchy, religion, ethnicity and national identity. Treated with utmost respect and protocol, the Thailand flag is an emotive representation of the unity, sovereignty and struggles of the Thai nation.
