Flag of Thailand

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Mike

The National Flag of Thailand

Flag of Thailand

The Flag of Thailand is made up of red, white and blue horizontal bands. Each colour has a specific significance to the Thai people who are particularly attracted to colour symbolism. The Thai name for the flag is Thong Trairong, or tricolour.

The outer red bands are said to represent the unity of the people standing together as a nation, while the the inner white bands relate to the Buddhist faith with the wide central blue band representing the Thai monarchy which is seen as being at the centre of Thai life.

The current red, white and blue flag is fairly new, being adopted in 1917. Before this date the flag featured a white elephant, which has an important significance in Royal Thai history, on a red background. The Asian elephant is also one of Thailand’s national symbols.

Interestingly one story about the red,white and blue choice of flag for Thailand in 1917 was that it was designed to show solidarity with European nations fighting in WWI, since both France and Great Britain have this colour combination in their national flags.

King of Thailand's Flag alongside National Flag

King of Thailand's Flag alongside National Flag

You will often see the flag of Thailand flown in the centre of two other flags, one blue and one yellow. The blue and yellow flags each carry a Royal coat of arms and represent the King(Yellow) and Queen(Blue) of Thailand.

Other members of the Thai Royal family also have personal flags but it unusual to see these flown except when the recipient is attending a function.

Flag flying is extremely popular in Thailand and you will see the national flag along with the royal standards flown outside shops and in peoples gardens across the country.

Related posts:

  1. Thailand’s Two Anthems
  2. National Symbols Thailand
  3. Mythical Birds Thailand
  4. Kingdom of the Elephant
  5. Thailand Orchids
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  • http://tambon.blogspot.com/ MaewNam

    Another flag seen very often in Thailand is the yellow Buddhist wheel on a red ground, of course mostly seen around the temples. But what still puzzles me is the fact that I never ever saw one of the provincial flags raised anywhere, even though every province has a flag of their own these are hardly known and rarely if ever used. Guess you have never seen the one for Prachuap featuring the provincial seal (the Sala in Sam Roi Yot) on a yellow ground.

    • http://www.thailand-blogs.com Mike

      Andy thanks for the input. You cover two interesting points. despite my numerous visits to Thai temples I don’t recall seeing the Buddhist flag….one to look out for.

      True I have never seen the provincial flags, although I have looked in PKK. Didn’t know it was the sala Thai in Sam Roi Yot which I have visited.

  • http://missus-emm.blogspot.com/ Emm

    This is so interesting! The flag did not mean much to me before but it seems to make perfect sense now. I love that top photo.

    • http://www.thailand-blogs.com Mike

      Hi Emm, guess you are back in the UK hope the holiday was good. I too like the top photo, it took a bit of capturing because the wind was quite strong ;-)

      • http://missus-emm.blogspot.com/ Emm

        Hiya! Yup – back in UK but really struggling to settle down. Actually, I say that but my work and studies have been going great! It is just the other half of the work-life balance that hasn’t started 2011 yet.

        • http://www.thailand-blogs.com Mike

          I thought you were back, since Emm in London is active. Work/life balance, remind me what exactly is that ;-)

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  • http://www.thailand-blogs.com Mike

    Lawrence you could add a mine of “useless” information. But thanks anyway. I do enjoy finding out little snippets about my adopted home though. Take a look at Andy’s comment to see what I mean.