The Flag of Thailand
The flag of Thailand, known as the 'Traisanga' or 'Traisanga Chai', consists of five horizontal stripes in the colors red, white, and blue. The design features a wide central blue stripe flanked by thinner white stripes and outer red stripes. This vibrant tricolor is symbolic, with the red representing the land and people, the white symbolizing religions, and the blue denoting the monarchy. The flag’s dimensions are in a 2:3 ratio.
History
The current flag of Thailand was adopted on September 28, 1917, during the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). Prior to this, the flag of Thailand (then Siam) featured a plain red field, sometimes with a white elephant—a symbol of the monarchy—in the center. The change to the current design was prompted by King Vajiravudh's observation that during a flood, the flag hanging upside-down was indistinguishable. He decreed the new flag design to ensure it would be symmetric and thus recognizable from any orientation. The introduction of the blue stripe was also a nod to solidarity with the Allied forces during World War I. Over the years, the flag has become a potent national symbol, embodying the unity and identity of Thailand.