The reasons we fly the flag

[rooster59]

The reasons we fly the flag

By Phatarawadee Phataranawik 
The Nation Weekend

 

Vajiravudh College students hold the flag as it’s paraded for the opening of the exhibition “Tri-colour National Flag Sustains Thainess” at the college on Sukhothai Road. Nation/Vorawit Pumpuang

 

Nationalism pervades an official exhibition on the national ensign, but what’s left out is telling

 

Ahead of of National Flag Day on September 28, the military-led government has mounted a patriotic exhibition at Vajiravudh College in Bangkok celebrating the 101st anniversary of the beloved tri-colour flag introduced by King Rama VI.

 

A nationalist spirit pervades the show, titled “Thong Trai Rong Thamrong Thai” (“Tri-colour National Flag Sustains Thainess”, in which citizens are urged to cherish the flag as never before.

 

Vajiravudh College students hold the flag as it’s paraded for the opening of the exhibition “Tri-colour National Flag Sustains Thainess” at the college on Sukhothai Road. Nation/Vorawit Pumpuang

 

At the opening of the exhibition, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam also prodded citizens to learn about the history and significance of the flag. Among other things, he said, they should know precisely how the flag is to be used correctly on different occasions.

 

It has only three appropriate uses, Wissanu said – decorating premises, accompanying ceremonies of honour and preceding public announcements. 

 

“The tri-colour flag represents the Thai nation,” he said. “In paying respect to the flag, people demonstrate their respect for and pride in their nation. The flag is important to all Thais’ spirit. Destroying the flag is against the law.”

 

The show, continuing all through August, is primarily directed at schoolchildren and young people in general. Students of Vajiravudh College, which King Rama VI founded in 1910, serve as guides, moving among the displays as patriotic tunes play.

 

Its five segments examine in turn the unveiling of the tri-colour by Rama VI, the evolution of the national flag until then, the flag’s importance in Thailand, and its proper uses. The final section is called “Tri-colour Flag Waves for Thais’ Pride”. The flag in the form we know it dates back to the Ayutthaya Period. There was no national flag before then, even in the 1600s while King Narai was on the throne. Siam’s first official flag, used in matters of trade, was completely red, with no embellishments.

 

As the Rattanakosin era dawned, Phra Phuttayotfa Chulalok had the chakra wheel of Hindu mythology placed at the centre of the flag’s red field to symbolise the Chakri Dynasty he founded as King Rama I.

 

A student holds the Thong Chang Puak – the White Elephant Flag designed by King Rama IV. Nation/Vorawit Pumpuang

 

Much better known today is the flag that followed, introduced in 1855 by King Mongkut (Rama IV) – with the chakra replaced on the red background by a royal white elephant. It was felt that a more distinctive ensign was needed in conducting foreign affairs. 

That flag is known as Thong Chang Puak, the White Elephant Flag.

 

Mongkut’s son Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) decreed the first formal law regarding the national flag. The National Flag Act Rattanakosin Era 110 formalised its appearance with the white elephant against a red field. No variants would be tolerated.

 

The next change to the flag came under King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) just as Siam sent troops off to Europe in the midst of World War I, in 1917. The artistically minded king wanted the flag to appear more “international”, given the global scope of the conflict. He unveiled the five-striped flag – but not the one that still flies today. It was just red and white.

 

The public was consulted on the design, and a meeting of minds led to the central red bar being replaced with a blue one, representing the monarchy itself.

 

Thus the alternating stripes of red, blue and white – signifying creed, crown and community – came to subsume representations of the military, even in such martial times. It was a flag that could fly comfortably alongside those of Russia, France, Britain and the United States.

 

A photo of the Siamese Expeditionary Force carrying the tri-colour flag in triumph in Paris in 1919 after World War I ended is displayed in the show. The Royal Navy Flag designed by King Rama VI is also on view. Nation/Phatarawadee Phataranawik

 

Wissanu noted that King Rama VI even developed a new shade of blue for the flag. “It’s a mixture of blue and purple,” he said. “Blue is widely recognised as the colour of the monarchy, while purple is the colour associated with King Rama VI’s day of birth.”

 

The tri-colour was first hoisted on September 28, 1917. Initially there were two common variants. As well as the five-banded version seen everywhere today, another kept the elephant on a red disc, superimposed over the stripes. This one – carried by the Siamese Expeditionary Force when it marched in the Allies’ 1919 victory parade in Paris – is still used by the Royal Thai Navy.

 

Although the tri-colour has been flying for a century, National Flag Day was only introduced last year, by Cabinet resolution, specifically to commemorate the centennial on September 28. 

 

On that date this year, Prime Ministry Prayut Chan-o-cha will preside at an event at Government House entailing the singing of the national anthem. Patriotism will be on grand display along with the flag, and nationalism will be even puffier than usual as a means of reconciling political foes – and with an election coming in the new year.

 

 

Historian Chanida Puaksom of Naresuan University’s Faculty of Social Sciences, who authored “Politics in the History of Thai Flags”, noted how Rama VI “invented, defined and consolidated” the national ensign to reflect nationalism under the monarchy. 

 

She pointed out, though, that the monarchy’s role in national affairs decreased with the Siamese Revolution of 1932, which replaced absolute monarchy with the constitutional, democratic monarchy we have today. The flag came to refer more to the still-evolving nation-state. 

 

But none of this “important” information is mentioned in the exhibition, Chanida commented.

 

The 2018 national-flag project – the exhibition and Flag Day celebration – “reflects nostalgia, a yearning for the past, especially for the ‘good old days’,” she told The Nation Weekend. “But the belief that the past was better than the present has been linked to biases in memory. 

 

“Today we’re living in conflict, especially on the political front. But in reality we remain divided, and the belief that we’re united is just a fantasy. Hoisting the national flag can’t solve the political conflict and the flag can’t be used as a tool to reunite us.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30352380

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-18

 

 

[George Bowman]

After many years of living in Thailand, I can fully understand why the national flag with the elephant was changed...

 

[Samui Bodoh]

"...The 2018 national-flag project – the exhibition and Flag Day celebration – “reflects nostalgia, a yearning for the past, especially for the ‘good old days’,” she told The Nation Weekend. “But the belief that the past was better than the present has been linked to biases in memory. 

“Today we’re living in conflict, especially on the political front. But in reality we remain divided, and the belief that we’re united is just a fantasy. Hoisting the national flag can’t solve the political conflict and the flag can’t be used as a tool to reunite us...”

 

It is always at the end of this kind of story where we see the real comments and/or information. 

 

This is simply yet another propaganda effort on the part of the Junta to build 'nationalistic' support for their agenda, utilizing, as authoritarian governments tend to do, symbols to try to get the populace to rally around. One has to ask; is this any different from Prayut's 12 meaningless phrases that students must memorize? From all the tired, useless ceremonies that students must endure (as opposed to the few good ones)? Or any of the other symbolic nonsense that Thais must endure?

 

Thailand is a disunited country. Thailand is a country of tremendous disparities. Thailand is a country in political chaos. Thailand is a country where the rights and freedoms of its citizens are being curbed and/or diminished.

 

These are some of Thailand's problems, and perhaps these issues are the ones that the Thai leadership should be focused on, rather than simply building another facade.

 

Countries that walk to the future while facing backwards rarely do well...

 

 

 

[Eligius]

Yes, take great care of that precious flag - while trampling human beings and their rights underfoot on a daily basis.

[StayinThailand2much]

27 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Thailand is a disunited country. Thailand is a country of tremendous disparities. Thailand is a country is political chaos. Thailand is a country where the rights and freedoms of its citizens are being curbed and/or diminished.

 

These are some of Thailand's problems, and perhaps these issues are the ones that the Thai leadership should be focused on, rather than simply another facade.

 

In times of bad or weak government, excessive nationalism (incl. 'waving the flag' continuously) is often used to divert the public's attention from a country's real problems. 

 

This is the 21st century, with the world ever growing together, with countries having closer and closer ties. In countries with good governance and a low corruption rate (Scandinavia, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc., just to name a few) 'waving the flag' daily, and excessive nationalism are less common.

 

That signs of nationalism are so omnipresent in Thailand has reasons, of course. I am always puzzled, how countries like Thailand or China mimic Western nationalism of the early 1900s, as if they 'missed out' on something and wanted to catch up.

[owl sees all]

The flags that have colours running horizontally are much easier to produce. Just run them off and chop them up.

 

The UK flag is an expensive one to manufacture, as is the US one and others. The French one is cheap also.

 

I'm talking proper flags here; not printed rubbish.

[Samui Bodoh]

4 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

In times of bad or weak government, excessive nationalism (incl. 'waving the flag' continuously) is often used to divert the public's attention from a country's real problems. 

 

This is the 21st century, with the world ever growing together, with countries having closer and closer ties. In countries with good governance and a low corruption rate (Scandinavia, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc., just to name a few) 'waving the flag' daily, and excessive nationalism are less common.

 

That signs of nationalism are so omnipresent in Thailand has reasons, of course. I am always puzzled, how countries like Thailand or China mimic Western nationalism of the early 1900s, as if they 'missed out' on something and wanted to catch up.

 

It is very simple;

 

If you've got it, you don't need to flaunt it.

 

[faraday]

9 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

The flags that have colours running horizontally are much easier to produce. Just run them off and chop them up.

 

The UK flag is an expensive one to manufacture, as is the US one and others. The French one is cheap also.

 

I'm talking proper flags here; not printed rubbish.

Ohhhhh ..does that include the Belgian, Danish, Swiss & other flags?

 

 

[owl sees all]

4 minutes ago, faraday said:

5 minutes ago, faraday said:

Ohhhhh ..does that include the Belgian, Danish, Swiss & other flags?

 

 

Carpets are just the same. Woven ones and printed ones.

[ThreeEyedRaven]

They should revert to the red and white one, but switch the elephant for a buffalo.

[Jimbo in Thailand]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Wissanu noted that King Rama VI even developed a new shade of blue for the flag. “It’s a mixture of blue and purple,” he said. “Blue is widely recognised as the colour of the monarchy, while purple is the colour associated with King Rama VI’s day of birth.”

Interesting fact.  I've wondered why the 'blue' center stripe has some purple mixed in.  Now I know.

 

Regarding nationalism, it's a cancer when carried to an extreme. Under illegal military rule since May 2014 I've sadly watched as the former LOS is racing backwards from a promising developing nation to, once again, a lowly third-world country.  But Thailand isn't alone, post September 11, 2001 my country, the USA, has been racing backwards as well.  No amount of forced flag worship by the government will cure the growing divisiveness that's beginning to tear America apart.  Luckily, or unluckily, Thailand isn't at that point yet.  Most Thais still seem to be oblivious to the fact their country has been stolen from them and that the future is bleak until/unless they finally wake up.  Oh well.

[madmitch]

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

In times of bad or weak government, excessive nationalism (incl. 'waving the flag' continuously) is often used to divert the public's attention from a country's real problems. 

 

 

Totally agree, but does that mean Thailand has never had a strong Government as this type of nationalism has always been on the agenda as far as I know. Not just flag waving but the National Anthem at specified times of the day, every day, not to forget the way the school curriculum is used as a form of nationalistic indoctrination.

[connda]

Now, in the US anyone who lavishes that much attention on the American flag is labeled fascist right-wing wing-nut.

 

I wonder what the difference is here in Thailand?  ?

[sanemax]

3 minutes ago, connda said:

Now, in the US...............................

Stop right there .

Off-topic .

[OZJAY]

6 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

In times of bad or weak government, excessive nationalism (incl. 'waving the flag' continuously) is often used to divert the public's attention from a country's real problems. 

 

This is the 21st century, with the world ever growing together, with countries having closer and closer ties. In countries with good governance and a low corruption rate (Scandinavia, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc., just to name a few) 'waving the flag' daily, and excessive nationalism are less common.

 

That signs of nationalism are so omnipresent in Thailand has reasons, of course. I am always puzzled, how countries like Thailand or China mimic Western nationalism of the early 1900s, as if they 'missed out' on something and wanted to catch up.

Low government corruption in Australia haha yeah right mate.

[55Jay]

Politicians. Anthems.  Flags.  

[Morakot]

10 minutes ago, 55Jay said:

 Flags.  

 

Yep, burn them ALL.

 

 

[DrTuner]

Nationalism, military junta, no-sex laws... yup, "Land of Smiles". Going down so fast I better put my bomber glasses on. Cue in kamikaze alert...

[bkk6060]

Well, I have never seen the Thai soccer team take a knee during their anthem..

[Nyezhov]

Its nice to see folks respect their flag and country. 

[attrayant]

Ohhhhh ..does that include the Belgian, Danish, Swiss & other flag?

I don’t know about the others, but the Swiss flag is a big plus.

[djayz]

15 hours ago, missoura said:

After many years of living in Thailand, I can fully understand why the national flag with the elephant was changed...

 

Why was it changed? 

[djayz]

15 hours ago, owl sees all said:

The flags that have colours running horizontally are much easier to produce. Just run them off and chop them up.

 

The UK flag is an expensive one to manufacture, as is the US one and others. The French one is cheap also.

 

I'm talking proper flags here; not printed rubbish.

What a load of nonsense. This is coming from a man who comes from a country with the tri-colours running horizontally... 

[GinBoy2]

Flags are a double edged sword, with many meanings.

Now as an American I take great pride in our flag, although I do recognize that for some on the fringe right wing it can be used for social division, which I think is true in many countries.

In Thailand, the ultra nationalists have used the whole concept of 'Thai' to try to promote a unity which in reality is a fiction at best, a lie in reality. The flag, and dare I say that other institution which cannot be spoken about, to promote that myth.

The 'flag' is all part of that story they try to tell themselves about unity

[naboo]

Nationalism is an infantile disease.

 

Waving a flag is akin to supporting a football team. Fine, so long as you don't start killing people over it.

[anon789561]

16 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...The 2018 national-flag project – the exhibition and Flag Day celebration – “reflects nostalgia, a yearning for the past, especially for the ‘good old days’,” she told The Nation Weekend. “But the belief that the past was better than the present has been linked to biases in memory. 

“Today we’re living in conflict, especially on the political front. But in reality we remain divided, and the belief that we’re united is just a fantasy. Hoisting the national flag can’t solve the political conflict and the flag can’t be used as a tool to reunite us...”

 

It is always at the end of this kind of story where we see the real comments and/or information. 

 

This is simply yet another propaganda effort on the part of the Junta to build 'nationalistic' support for their agenda, utilizing, as authoritarian governments tend to do, symbols to try to get the populace to rally around. One has to ask; is this any different from Prayut's 12 meaningless phrases that students must memorize? From all the tired, useless ceremonies that students must endure (as opposed to the few good ones)? Or any of the other symbolic nonsense that Thais must endure?

 

Thailand is a disunited country. Thailand is a country of tremendous disparities. Thailand is a country in political chaos. Thailand is a country where the rights and freedoms of its citizens are being curbed and/or diminished.

 

These are some of Thailand's problems, and perhaps these issues are the ones that the Thai leadership should be focused on, rather than simply building another facade.

 

Countries that walk to the future while facing backwards rarely do well...

 

 

 

"Countries that walk to the future while facing backwards rarely do well..."

i do like reading your comments. you're pretty clued up. keep them coming

[kannot]

21 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The show, continuing all through August, is primarily directed at schoolchildren and young people in general.

get  that bs  propaganda in  while theyre  young  always  works wonders.................to  be  proud of  the country  requires  you do  things that actually.......................oh mai pen rai? 

[kannot]

6 hours ago, djayz said:

Why was it changed? 

they  all  thought  it  meant  free  beer  day  when  they  saw  them out?

[kannot]

7 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

Its nice to see folks respect their flag and country. 

theres  a  difference  between  respect and  forced  respect  though

[kannot]

21 hours ago, faraday said:

Ohhhhh ..does that include the Belgian, Danish, Swiss & other flags?

 

 

i prefer  the  "all white " flag