Royal Flags of Thailand

Usual display of royal flags alternating with the flag of Thailand on a street in Bangkok
Shop selling flags in Thailand

The Royal Flags of Thailand (Thai: ธงประจำพระองค์) are flags that are usually flown in Thailand along with the National flag to honor the King and Queen as well as the Royal Family of Thailand. Unlike the Royal Standards that are only displayed in special ceremonies and in particular locations, the royal flags are a ubiquitous sight all over Thailand. They are not commonly seen, however, outside of the country.

Description

There are two main royal flags, one for the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, popularly known as the "Ninth king" (Rama IX), and the other for Queen Sirikit. Both flags are in plain colors with their respective royal cyphers. Other members of the royal family, like Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Princess Chulabhorn Walailak also have their own plain-color flags, but these are not seen very often, except at ceremonies personally led by them.

The royal flags are not only used officially, but also unofficially. They are displayed by Thai citizens of any social class or background at any location, usually beside the Thai flag, as a homage to their King and Queen. Honoring the royal family is a characteristic feature of Thai culture.

These flags are sold at most small stores and grocery stores in every town and village of Thailand. They come in many different sizes. Usually the symbol is printed only on one side of the flag.

Flag of the King

The King's flag is in yellow, the color of Monday, the day of his birth. It always has a symbol in the middle. There are a variety of symbols,[1] but recently most king's flags have either the symbol marking his 80th birthday or the one commemorating the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne.[2]

Both emblems in the center of the flag are quite complex, involving Buddhist iconography and ancient royal symbols of authority as well, like the multi-tiered white umbrella.[3] The kings's symbols are always topped by the royal crown. Sometimes light rays are emanating from the top of the crown, these are also an element of royal symbology. In simplified versions of the flag the central symbol may come simply outlined in red.

Yellow is the color identified with the king in Thailand. Many Thais like to wear yellow shirts as an informal homage to their king, especially on Mondays, the day of his birth.

Flag of the Queen

The Queen's flag is in blue, the color of Friday, the day of her birth. Unlike the flag of the king, her flag has always the same symbol in the middle. The symbol is her acronym, the white letter intertwined with the dark blue letter, below a yellow or golden royal crown, sometimes with a pink scroll with Thai writing underneath. In simplified versions of the flag this symbol may come simply outlined in white on the blue ground. This flag is mostly displayed around August, the month of the Queen's birth.

List of Royal Flags

Royal Flag Dates Use Details
 1946– Personal Flag of King Bhumibol Adulyadej Yellow flag (the King's birthday colour), the middle the depicts the Royal Cypher, topped by the Great Crown of Victory, in between is the Thai symbol for Aum.
 1950– Personal Flag of Queen Sirikit Blue flag (the Queen's birthday colour), the middle is Queen Sirikit's Royal Cypher, topped by the Great Crown of Victory.
1972–1984 Personal Flag of Queen Rambai Barni in Rama VII Pink flag (the Queen's birthday colour), the middle is Queen Rambai Barni's Royal Cypher, topped by the Great Crown of Victory.
 1970–1995 Personal Flag of Princess Srinagarindra Red flag (the Princess mother's birthday colour), the middle is Princess Srinagarindra's Royal Cypher.
 1972– Personal Flag of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Yellow flag (the Crown Prince's birthday colour), the middle is the Crown Prince's Royal Cypher, topped by the Great Crown of Victory, with a small "Chakri" (discus and trident, the emblem of the Royal House of Chakri) beneath the Crown.
 1977– Personal Flag of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Purple flag (the Princess’ birthday colour), the middle is the Royal Cypher, topped by the simplified crown.
 1982– Personal Flag of Princess Chulabhorn Walailak Orange flag (the Princess’ birthday colour), the middle is the Royal Cypher, topped by the simplified crown.
 1946–2011 Personal Flag of Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Pink flag (the Princess’ birthday colour), the middle is the Royal Cypher, topped by the Great Crown of Victory.
 1995–2008 Personal Flag of Princess Galyani Vadhana, the Princess of Naradhiwas The personal symbol of the Princess, her acronym surmounted by a simplified crown, is in the middle of the flag. Unlike the other royal flags, which have the color of the day of birth as a background, this flag was in the Princess' favourite colour.
 2001– Personal Flag of Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Red flag (the Princess’ birthday colour), the middle is the Royal Cypher, but not topped by the simplified crown.
 2005–2014 Personal Flag of Princess Srirasm, the Royal Consort of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Orange flag (the Princess’ birthday colour), the middle is the Royal Cypher.
 1977– Personal Flag of Princess Soamsawali Purple flag (the Princess’ birthday colour), the middle is the Royal Cypher, under the Buddhist/Hindu sacred sign of "Unalome".
 1978– Personal Flag of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Orange flag (the Princess’ birthday colour), the middle is the Royal Cypher.
 2005– Personal Flag of Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Orange flag (the Princess’ birthday colour), the middle is the Royal Cypher.
 2005– Personal Flag of Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Blue flag (the Prince’s birthday colour), the middle is the Royal Cypher.
 1982– Personal Flag of Princess Siribhachudhabhorn Blue flag (the Princess’ birthday colour), the middle is the Royal Cypher.
 2010– Personal Flag of Princess Adityadhornkitikhun Purple flag (the Princess’ birthday colour), not the Royal Cypher.

See also

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Rama IX Art Museum Foundation; symbols of King Bhumibol Adulyadej
  2. ↑ Rama IX Art Museum Foundation; Symbol marking the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne
  3. ↑ The umbrella as a symbol of royalty and authority in Buddhism

External links

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