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| Flag of Thailand | |
|---|---|
| Name | Flag of Thailand |
| Nickname | Trairanga, Tricolour |
| Use | National flag |
| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | 28 September 1917 |
| Design | Five horizontal stripes of red, white, blue, white, red; central blue stripe double width |
| Designer | King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) (credited) |
Flag of Thailand is the national banner of the Kingdom of Thailand, adopted during the reign of Vajiravudh (Rama VI) and used by the Monarchy of Thailand, Thai people, Prime Minister of Thailand administrations, and diplomatic missions. The flag's tricolour scheme and horizontal bands reflect influences from regional heraldry, earlier Siamese standards, and contemporaneous flags such as the Union Flag and Tricolour (France). The emblematic blue stripe has been associated with the House of Chakri, Thai nationalism, and wartime alignments during the World War I era.
The flag consists of five horizontal stripes in the sequence red, white, blue, white, red with the central blue stripe twice the width of each red and white stripe, a proportion specified in the 1917 proclamation signed by Vajiravudh. Designers drew inspiration from royal standards like the Royal Standard of Thailand and earlier banners used by the Rattanakosin Kingdom, the Siamese revolution of 1688 era regalia, and international flags such as the Flag of the Netherlands and the Flag of the United Kingdom. In Thai heraldic interpretation, red often denotes the Thai nation and the blood of the people, white represents Buddhism in Thailand and purity associated with the Monarchy of Thailand, while blue signifies the House of Chakri, solidarity with Entente Powers during World War I, and modern national unity. The flag's proportions (2:3) and use at sea conform to standards applied by the Thai maritime authorities, port regulations under the Ministry of Transport (Thailand), and measures referenced in royal decrees from the Chakri dynasty.
Pre-1917 banners of the Rattanakosin Kingdom included plain red flags used by the Royal Thai Navy during the Ayutthaya Kingdom campaigns and the Thonburi Kingdom period; later, white elephants on red fields appeared under King Mongkut (Rama IV) and King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). During the Bowring Treaty era and increasing contact with United Kingdom and France, Siam introduced distinct naval ensigns and royal standards; the white elephant flag became a state emblem in treaties like those negotiated with the East India Company and referenced in diplomatic exchanges with Napoleon III and Otto von Bismarck's envoys. The shift to the tricolour occurred amid World War I when Vajiravudh sought a modern national symbol to reflect alignment with the Allies of World War I; the 1917 royal proclamation replaced the elephant flag with the current five-striped design. Subsequent constitutional changes under the Siamese Revolution of 1932, the Constitution of Thailand (1932), and later decrees by Plaek Phibunsongkhram influenced display protocols and adaptations during the World War II period, Cold War interactions involving the United States and Communist Party of Thailand, and contemporary political movements including the Thai political crisis (2005–2006) and 2014 Thai coup d'état.
Flag protocol for the tricolour is governed by regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Interior (Thailand), the Royal Thai Government Gazette, and royal orders from the Monarchy of Thailand. Official guidelines dictate display at government buildings such as the Grand Palace, diplomatic missions like the Embassy of Thailand in Washington, D.C., and national ceremonies presided over by figures such as the King of Thailand and the Prime Minister of Thailand. During national holidays including Songkran, King Bhumibol Adulyadej memorials, and Constitution Day (Thailand), the flag is flown at half-mast in accordance with royal protocol established after the death of monarchs including Rama IX. The flag is also used on naval and air ensigns derived from conventions applied by the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Air Force, with specific flags for rank and command inspired by practices in navies such as the Royal Navy and air force traditions akin to the Royal Air Force.
Variants include the royal and naval standards associated with the King of Thailand and the Royal Thai Navy ensign, the latter historically influenced by British naval practice and earlier Siamese jack designs. Governmental flags for ministries such as the Ministry of Defence (Thailand), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Thailand), and provincial banners for regions like Chiang Mai and Songkhla incorporate the tricolour or Chakri emblem. Military flags for the Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy, and Royal Thai Air Force use distinct canton devices, colours, and regimental colours modeled on patterns seen in the Franco-Thai War era and post-war reorganization under leaders including Sarit Thanarat. Royal standards, personal flags for members of the House of Chakri, and pennants for the Royal Guard remain separate under statutes codified in royal household regulations.
The tricolour is central to Thai identity promoted by institutions like Chulalongkorn University and media outlets such as Nation Multimedia Group, appearing in commercial, sporting, and protest contexts including demonstrations during the 2013–2014 Thai political crisis and the 2020–2021 Thai protests. Controversies have arisen over mandatory display laws enforced by provincial authorities and enforcement actions during periods of political tension involving figures such as Thaksin Shinawatra and protests targeting the Monarchy of Thailand; these disputes engaged the Constitutional Court of Thailand and drew commentary from international actors including the United Nations Human Rights Council. Debates also touch on intellectual property and reproduction rules under statutes administered by the Ministry of Culture (Thailand), and on interpretations of symbolism used in nationalist movements linked to groups like the People's Alliance for Democracy and responses by administrations such as those led by Abhisit Vejjajiva and Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Category:Flags of Thailand