Thailand

Information about the Thai Flag: Colors and Meaning of the Flag of Thailand

The flag of the United Kingdom of Thailand is simple in design. Thailand’s current flag is one of the oldest flags in the world, as it has been in use since September 28, 1917. It consists of horizontal stripes of red, white and blue with a proportion of 2:3. Overall there are five stripes. Technically the flag is divided into three equal sections, with the top and bottom section each subdivided into two stripes of equal size. The top is red, then white. The middle stripe is in blue and the bottom stripes are white then red. The flag of Thailand has a name. It is called the Triarong or Triaranga, which directly translates to tricolor.

Thailand was known as Siam from the middle of the 19th century up to 1916. During that time the flag was red with a white elephant in the middle facing the hoisting side. In the early late 16th century to early 17th century, the Siamese flag was red with a white chakra in the middle. From 1817 to 1855, a white elephant facing the hoisting side was added in the middle of the chakra. Starting from 1855 up to 1916, the chakra was removed and the elephant, still facing the hoisting side was enlarged. Briefly in the 1916 the elephant was made smaller and the position is reversed. It was facing the flying side of the flag. The elephant wore a decorative harness and it was standing on a raised platform in golden yellow. It was changed again in 1916 with a flag with alternating red, white, red, white and red stripes positioned horizontally. Initially the stripes are of equal size, before middle stripe was increased to twice its size. The current flag replaced the middle wider red stripe with the blue stripe that has been retained until today.

Thailand has a long history and faced many conflicts. The red stripes represent the blood that had spilt by the citizens of Thailand to maintain their country’s independence. The white stripes represent Buddhism, the main religion in Thailand. White also symbolizes purity. Blue is the color of the monarchy as well as the national color of Thailand. It is said that blue is used to honor the allies of Thailand during WWI, namely France, Russia, Great Britain and the United States. The flags of these countries have red, white and blue stripes. The flag did not change even when Thailand became an ally of Japan during the Second World War.

According to some records, the blue stripe was suggested to King Rama IV by a columnist from the Bangkok Daily Mail newspaper to replace the central red stripe with a blue stripe that is twice the size of the other stripes to symbolize the King’s color and also as a reminder of Thailand’s participation and its allies during the First World War and the change took effect by virtue of the Flag Act B.E. 2460 of 1917.

Other interpretations of the meaning of the red, white and blue stripes of the Thai flag indicate that the white is used to signify honesty and peace. The blue middle stripe is for perseverance and justice, for truth and loyalty and for vigilance, which the red means strength and valor, hardiness as well as bravery.

:: References ::
http://www.worldflags101.com/t/thailand-flag.aspx
http://www.flags-flags-flags.org.uk/thailand-flag.htm
http://www.rama9art.org/thaiflag/body7.html