Flag of Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand was formerly known as Siam. Its first flag was plain red during the rule of King Narai in the period between 1656 and 1688. The Navy used the red flag with different symbols on it. A common symbol was the white chakra on a red background. The chakra was a Buddhist wheel shaped like a fan. It also represented the royal ruling house, the House of Chakri. The navy also displayed a white elephant at the center of a red background and a white disc with a sun face drawing on it. The white elephant represented good fortune in Thailand.

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Later, the plain red design was changed since other states used the same flag. It became necessary to add a symbol that would differentiate Thailand’s flag. In 1817, they placed a white elephant inside the white chakra and later, removed the chakra and enlarged the elephant. The flag was called “The Elephant flag” or “Throng Chag” in Thai. This flag was made official in 1855 by King Mongkut. He adopted a red background flag with a large white elephant. The white elephant was at the center and faced the hoist. They used this flag as the civil ensign until 1916. 

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In 1916, green and red regalia were added on the white elephant standing on a platform. The new ensign from 1916 to 1917 featured a red-white-red-white-red flag. It is still the current civil flag of the country. According to legend, King Rama VI was taking a boat trip on the river Chao Pao, when he noticed a hut that was hanging the flag upside down. When he went back to his palace, he decided the country needed a simpler design that was modern looking. Most European flags had stripes representing national colors, and the King got his inspiration from them. He removed the elephant and adopted the ensign flag. In 1917, they changed the middle color to dark blue. Thailand celebrates the nation’s flag every September 28th, after the decree by Rama VI on September 28, 1917. 

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• In 1939, Siam became Thailand and the flag remained the same years after their alliance with the Japanese during World War II.
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• The blue color, changed in 1917, to allegedly celebrate King Vajiravudh’s day of birth. Other sources, however, say the color change was as a symbol of solidarity to other World War I allies.
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• There is a rule against disrespecting the Thai flag. It should not be displayed, used, fastened, or stored in a way that would damage it. No one can attach letters, designs, pictures, marks, or insignias on the flag.
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• The people of Thailand use their flag with the frequency of those in the United States. Giant flags hang over corporate buildings, and small flag makers are available everywhere in the country. 
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• The national flag is celebrated on September 28th, the official date Thailand adopted the current flag.
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Do you know any other interesting facts about the flag of Thailand? Share your thoughts below.

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