kids encyclopedia robot

Flag of Thailand facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Kingdom of Thailand
Flag of Thailand.svg
Name Trairanga (Thai: ธงไตรรงค์, RTGS: thong trai rong), 'Tricolour flag'
Use National flag, civil and state ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reverse side is congruent with obverse side Vertical hoist method of flag is unknown
Proportion 2:3
Adopted 28 September 1917; 107 years ago (1917-09-28) (standardized on 30 September 2017)
Design Five horizontal stripes of red, white, blue, white and red, the middle stripe twice as wide as the others
Designed by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI)
Naval Ensign of Thailand.svg
Variant flag of Kingdom of Thailand
Name Thai: ธงราชนาวี (RTGS: thong ratcha nawi), 'Royal Navy flag'
Use Naval ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reverse side is mirror image of obverse side
Proportion 2:3
Adopted 28 September 1917 (de jure)
Design A red disc containing a white elephant (Airavata) in regalia centered on the national flag

The flag of Thailand is called the Trairanga (Thai: ธงไตรรงค์). This means 'tricolour flag' in Thai. It has five horizontal stripes. The colours are red, white, blue, white, and red. The blue stripe in the middle is twice as wide as the other four stripes.

This flag design was officially chosen on 28 September 1917. King Rama VI made this decision. Since 2016, September 28th is a special national holiday in Thailand. It is called Flag Day and celebrates the flag.

The colours of the flag have special meanings. They stand for "nation-religion-king," which is an important idea in Thailand.

  • Red represents the land and the people of Thailand.
  • White stands for the religions in the country.
  • Blue represents the monarchy (the king and royal family). Blue was also a special colour for King Rama VI.

When the king declared war on Germany in July 1917, the flag's colours became similar to those of other countries. These included the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the United States. These countries were allies during World War I.

What the Flag Looks Like

The Thai flag is shaped like a rectangle. Its width is 6 parts and its length is 9 parts. It has five stripes that go all the way across.

  • The middle stripe is 2 parts wide and is deep blue.
  • Next to the blue stripe on each side are white stripes, each 1 part wide.
  • On the very outside, next to the white stripes, are red stripes, each 1 part wide.

This design makes the blue stripe stand out as the widest.

How the Colours are Set

The exact colours for the flag were made official on 30 September 2017. This was to celebrate 100 years since the flag was first adopted. These standards help make sure all physical flags have the correct colours.

  • Flag of Thailand (construction sheet)

    flag construction sheet

History of the Thai Flag

Firstworldwar
The Siamese Expeditionary Force (Thai soldiers) in Paris during World War I, 1919.
Waving flag of Thailand (1)
The national flag of Thailand flying in 2009.
Flag of Thailand in front of the Ministry of Defence
The flag of Thailand flying in front of the Ministry of Defence in 2019.

The very first flag used for Siam (the old name for Thailand) was likely a plain red flag. This was probably used around the time of King Narai (1656–1688). Later, naval flags (flags used on ships) had different symbols on the red background. These symbols included a white chakra (a wheel symbol) or a white elephant. The elephant, named Airavata, is a famous elephant from Hindu stories.

In 1855, King Mongkut (Rama IV) created the first official flag. It showed a white elephant on a red background. The plain red flag was not unique enough for talking with other countries.

In 1916, the flag changed again. It now showed a white elephant wearing royal decorations. Later that same year, a new design was created for civilian ships. This design was similar to today's flag, but the middle stripe was red, not blue.

A popular story says that King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) was upset when he saw someone accidentally fly the elephant flag upside down. To prevent this, he ordered a new flag design that would look the same even if it was flown upside down. This led to the five-stripe design.

At first, in 1916 and 1917, this new flag only had red and white stripes. But later in 1917, the middle stripe was changed to dark blue. This blue colour was special because it was the lucky colour for Saturday, the day King Vajiravudh was born. Also, some say the blue colour was chosen to show that Thailand was working with the Allies of World War I (like the UK, France, and USA). These countries also had blue, red, and white in their flags.

Timeline of Thai Flags

Flag Date Use Description
Flag of Thailand (Ayutthaya period).svg
 c. 1680 – c. 1782 Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag National flag during late Ayutthaya and Thonburi periods A plain red rectangular flag.
c. 1782–1855 Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Civil flag before 1855
Flag of Thailand (1782).svg
 c. 1782 – c. 1817 Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag State and naval flag ordered by King Rama I A red flag with a white chakra (wheel symbol). This likely represented the Chakri dynasty (the royal family).
Flag of Thailand (1817).svg
 c. 1817–1855 Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Change made by King Rama II A red flag with a white elephant inside the chakra.
Flag of Thailand 1855.svg
 c. 1843–1855 Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Another civil flag from 1843 to 1855 A white elephant, facing the left side of the flag, in the middle of a red background. This flag was known as Thong Chang Puak.
1855–1893 Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag National flag ordered by King Rama IV
1893–1916 Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Civil flag until 1916
State Flag of Thailand (1916).svg
 1893–1898 Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag State and naval flag, with a special symbol in the top left corner A white elephant wearing royal decorations, facing the left side, in the middle of a red background.
1898–1912 Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag State and naval flag
1912–1917 Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag State flag and naval flag, ordered by King Rama VI
Flag of Thailand (1916).svg
 1916–1917 Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Civil flag A red flag with two horizontal white stripes. Each white stripe was one-sixth of the flag's width, placed one-sixth from the top and bottom edges.
Flag of Thailand.svg
 1917–present Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag National flag, civil and state flag The flag with a horizontal blue stripe (one-third wide) between white stripes (one-sixth wide), which are between red stripes (one-sixth wide). This is known as the Trairanga.

Flags for the Navy

Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Naval flag of Thailand
Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Naval jack of Thailand

The naval flag of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is the national flag with a red circle in the middle. This circle reaches the red stripes at the top and bottom. Inside the red circle is a white elephant, dressed in full royal gear, facing the left side of the flag.

The naval jack (a flag flown at the bow of a ship) of Thailand is the national flag with the symbol of the Royal Thai Navy in the middle. Both these naval flags were adopted in 1917.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bandera de Tailandia para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Flag of Thailand Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.