Thailand – Flag

[Rinrada]

The central band was originally red.

It was changed to blue to express solidarity with the Allies during World War I.

Effective date: 28 September 1917.

http://www.aolsvc.co.uk/learning/atlas/flags/P0005111.htm

also a few interesting facts:

National nameRatcha Anachak Thai/Kingdom of Thailand

Area 513,115 sq km/198,113 sq mi

Capital Bangkok (and chief port)

Major towns/cities Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Songkhla, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Udon Thani

Major ports Nakhon Sawan

Physical features mountainous, semi-arid plateau in northeast, fertile central region, tropical isthmus in south; rivers Chao Phraya, Mekong, and Salween

Chronology

13th century Siamese (Thai) people migrated south and settled in valley of Chao Phraya River in Khmer Empire.

1238 Siamese ousted Khmer governors and formed new kingdom based at Sukhothai.

14th and 15th centuries Siamese expanded at expense of declining Khmer Empire.

1350 Siamese capital moved to Ayatthaya (which also became name of kingdom).

1511 Portuguese traders first reached Siam.

1569 Conquest of Ayatthaya by Burmese ended years of rivalry and conflict.

1589 Siamese regained independence under King Naresuan.

17th century Foreign trade under royal monopoly developed with Chinese, Japanese, and Europeans.

1690s Siam expelled European military advisers and missionaries and adopted policy of isolation.

1767 Burmese invaders destroyed city of Ayatthaya, massacred ruling families, and withdrew, leaving Siam in a state of anarchy.

1782 Reunification of Siam after civil war under Gen Phraya Chakri, who founded new capital at Bangkok and proclaimed himself King Rama I.

1824–51 King Rama III reopened Siam to European diplomats and missionaries.

1851–68 King Mongkut employed European advisers to help modernize the government, legal system, and army.

1856 Royal monopoly on foreign trade ended.

1868–1910 King Chulalongkorn continued modernization and developed railway network using Chinese immigrant labour; Siam became major exporter of rice.

1896 Anglo-French agreement recognized Siam as independent buffer state between British Burma and French Indo-China.

1932 Bloodless coup forced King Rama VII to grant a constitution with a mixed civilian-military government.

1939 Siam changed its name to Thailand (briefly reverting to Siam 1945–49).

1941 Japanese invaded; Thailand became puppet ally of Japan under Field Marshal Phibun Songkhram.

1945 Japanese withdrawal; Thailand compelled to return territory taken from Laos, Cambodia, and Malaya.

1947 Phibun regained power in military coup, reducing monarch to figurehead; Thailand adopted strongly pro-American foreign policy.

1955 Political parties and free speech introduced.

1957 State of emergency declared; Phibun deposed in bloodless coup; military dictatorship continued under Gen Sarit Thanarat (1957–63) and Gen Thanom Kittikachorn (1963–73).

1967–72 Thai troops fought in alliance with USA in Vietnam War.

1973 Military government overthrown by student riots.

1974 Adoption of democratic constitution, followed by civilian coalition government.

1976 Military reassumed control in response to mounting strikes and political violence.

1978 Gen Kriangsak Chomanan introduced constitution with mixed civilian–military government.

1980 Gen Prem Tinsulanonda assumed power.

1983 Prem relinquished army office to head civilian government; martial law maintained.

1988 Chatichai Choonhavan succeeded Prem as prime minister.

1991 A military coup imposed a new military-oriented constitution despite mass protests.

1992 A general election produced a five-party coalition; riots forced Prime Minister Suchinda Kraprayoon to flee; Chuan Leekpai formed a new coalition government.

1995–96 The ruling coalition collapsed. A general election in 1996 resulted in a new six-party coalition led by Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

1997 A major financial crisis led to the floating of currency. An austerity rescue plan was agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Chuan Leekpai was re-elected prime minister.

1998 Repatriation of foreign workers commenced, as the economy contracted sharply due to the rescue plan. The opposition Chart Patthana party was brought into the coalition government of Chuan Leekpai, increasing its majority to push through economic reforms.

2001 The Thai Rak Thai party won general elections, but failed to achieve an absolute majority.

Thaksin Shinawatra became prime minister and again in 2005

Cut out and keep in a safe palce.

and....more..

http://www.aolsvc.co.uk/learning/atlas/fac...es/C0000169.htm

http://www.aolsvc.co.uk/learning/atlas/articles/M0019870.htm

[lopburi3]

Major ports Nakhon Sawan

That after global warming???

[mbkudu]

The flag used to have an elephant in the middle of it. Why was it removed, anybody know?

[Wanraya]

The flag used to have an elephant in the middle of it. Why was it removed, anybody know?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dunno - bit of a grey area.

[ProfessorFart]

The flag used to have an elephant in the middle of it. Why was it removed, anybody know?

Not a grey area at all. King Vajiravudh saw the old flag flying upside down and felt it wasn't in line with modern European flags so he designed the current flag.

Edited February 12, 2005 by ProfessorFart

[dvk1951]

The flag used to have an elephant in the middle of it. Why was it removed, anybody know?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dunno - bit of a grey area.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ZINGGGGGGGGGG

Another low flying pun flys over Prof Farts head

[apetley]

The flag used to have an elephant in the middle of it. Why was it removed, anybody know?

Not a grey area at all. King Vajiravudh saw the old flag flying upside down and felt it wasn't in line with modern European flags so he designed the current flag.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, who wants a dead elephant on their flag!

[ovenman]

The flag used to have an elephant in the middle of it. Why was it removed, anybody know?

A book that I have regarding the reign of King Rama VI says this about the flag redesign: "He [the King] had never been satisfied with the old one that consisted of a white elephant on a red field because poor workmanship and impermanent dyes often made it look like a pink pig."

[Boon Mee]

Thanks for the chronology, Rinrada. Good stuff.

[Richard W]

1238 Siamese ousted Khmer governors and formed new kingdom based at Sukhothai.

14th and 15th centuries Siamese expanded at expense of declining Khmer Empire.

1350 Siamese capital moved to Ayatthaya (which also became name of kingdom).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Try:

1239 Independent Thai kingdom of Sukhothai founded, after a Khmer defeat.

1296 Chiangmai (in Lannathai kingdom) founded.

1310 (roughly) Sukhothai dominates southwards to Malay peninsula. Independent Thai kingdoms in Phayao and Lannathai.

1319 Lavo, Uthong & Nakhon Sri Thammarat secede from kingdon of Sukhothai.

1350 Uthong becomes Ayutthaya (i.e. the capital moves)

1378 Sukhothai becomes subject to Ayutthaya

1438 Vassal kingdom of Sukhothai abolished.

Even this is quite a simplification. However, to give an English parallel, it is rather worse than saying that the capital of England moved from Tamworth (the capital of Mercia, the kingdom of Offa) to Winchester (the capital of Wessex, the kingdom of Alfred).

Edited February 12, 2005 by Richard W

[lampard10]

Capital Bangkok (and chief port)

Major towns/cities Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Songkhla, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Udon Thani

Oy........................what about Surin

[HarryHacker]

The flag used to have an elephant in the middle of it. Why was it removed, anybody know?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dunno - bit of a grey area.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ZINGGGGGGGGGG

Another low flying pun flys over Prof Farts head

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Arrrr thank U

[Rinrada]

The Thai Flag with the white Elephant.

War Ensign (Thailand)

http://www.fotw.net/flags/th~w.html

[Rinrada]

As a follow up...

Flag of the Royal Thai Navy

This is a rectangular flag, similar to the "Trairanga" except for the red circle in the middle which reaches as far as the red stripes at the top and bottom.

In the circle stands a white elephant —in full caparison— facing the flagpole. [identical to the Naval Ensign above, albeit with a greener 'caparison' as that of the Ambassadorial / Envoy's Flag.].

The flag was designed in B.E.2460 [1917 AD] by the Royal Decree issued by King Rama VI.

The flag was flown from the stern of a ship and from government offices under the jurdiction of the Navy.

The flag has been in use ever since

[Neeranam]

I heard years ago that the blue was representing the king, the red the people and the white the monkhood, or I may have got it mixed up. The guy that told me had a good reason though - something about the monkhood(sanga) keeping the country together along with the king taking a central role.

Then again you do hear some real &lt;deleted&gt;.

Anyone ever heard of this?

[Golf]

Don't forget to mention the Free Thai Movement during WWII. They deserved it

Golf

[Golf]

Here is the like to a short biography of a Free Thai Movement leader. The greatest Thai man I ever know. So much to be a hero in Thailand.

http://www.geocities.com/pbanomyong/shortbio.html

Golf

Edited February 14, 2005 by Golf

[Rinrada]

Seri Thai (Free Thai) Movement and a bit of info on P.B.Songkhram,Pridi Phan and good old Seni.

In December 1938, Luang Phibunsongkhram became Prime Minister of Thailand.

He was an admirer of Hitler and Mussolini, and his period of rule, which lasted until 1944, was marked by authoritarianism and strident nationalism.

Within a month of taking office, he arrested 40 of his real or

imagined opponents, among them members of the royal family and nobility, deputies of the National Assembly and rival army officers, on charges of conspiring against the government.

Of these 18 were executed after a series of unashamedly political trials. In the first year of his government, Phibun also imposed on the Chinese a series of discriminatory laws and a greatly increased burden of taxation.

In 1939, the name of Siam was changed to Thailand on the grounds that Siam was a foreign name forced upon the country by foreigners, whereas, the name Thailand signified that the country belonged to the Thais rather than to the economically dominant Chinese.

After the fall of France in 1940, Phibun seized the opportunity of avenging the humiliating defeat that the Thais had received at the hands of the French in 1893 and invaded Laos and Cambodia. With Japanese mediation, he imposed a settlement by which substantial areas of Lao and Cambodian territory, including the Cambodian province of Siem Reap, which contains Angkor and which he renamed Phibunsongkhram, were ceded to Thailand.

In December 1941, at the same time as they attacked Pearl Harbor, the Japanese invaded Thailand at several points along the east coast and in the peninsula. The Thais at first resisted, but soon capitulated. Meanwhile, the British sent a force to Songkhla to attempt to stop the Japanese. but were held up by Thai border police; the Japanese continued their march south and captured Singapore.

In January 1942, the Thai government concluded a military alliance with Japan and declared war on Britain and the United States.

However, the Thai minister in Washington, Seni Pramoj, a cousin of the king, refused to deliver the declaration of war to the US government and in collaboration with the Americans set up a resistance movement called Seri Thai (Free Thai), while Pridi Phanomyong, who had been appointed regent for the absent king, also began secretly to organize resistance in Thailand..

PS ...the Brits were also invoved as well....read the secret war -Seri Thai

and more.

http://www.usmta.com/history-5.htm

[booma]

The flag used to have an elephant in the middle of it. Why was it removed, anybody know?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The elephant was removed due to a foreign visiting VIP mistaking it for a rat or something.

b

[booma]

I heard years ago that the blue was representing the king, the red the people and the white the monkhood, or I may have got it mixed up. The guy that told me had a good reason though - something about the monkhood(sanga) keeping the country together along with the king taking a central role.

Then again you do hear some real &lt;deleted&gt;.

Anyone ever heard of this?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've heard similar to this white being for bhuddism, blue for the king etc not sure about the red though. I thought it represented the government?

B

[Jai Dee]

I heard years ago that the blue was representing the king, the red the people and the white the monkhood, or I may have got it mixed up. The guy that told me had a good reason though - something about the monkhood(sanga) keeping the country together along with the king taking a central role.

Then again you do hear some real &lt;deleted&gt;.

Anyone ever heard of this?

I've heard similar to this white being for bhuddism, blue for the king etc not sure about the red though. I thought it represented the government?

B

Red is said to symbolize the blood of life, white the purity of the Buddhist faith, and blue the monarchy.

[Rinrada]

The flag used to have an elephant in the middle of it. Why was it removed, anybody know?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The elephant was removed due to a foreign visiting VIP mistaking it for a rat or something.

b

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Jumbo is still there and means business

The Thai Flag with the white Elephant.

War Ensign (Thailand)

http://www.fotw.net/flags/th~w.html

[meadish_sweetball]

The flag used to have an elephant in the middle of it. Why was it removed, anybody know?

Not a grey area at all. King Vajiravudh saw the old flag flying upside down and felt it wasn't in line with modern European flags so he designed the current flag.

What was His Majesty doing flying upside down past the Thai banner ?

[Neeranam]

Red is said to symbolize the blood of life, white the purity of the Buddhist faith, and blue the monarchy.

That sounds like what I heard, thanks Jai Dee

[Rinrada]

I have always been lead to believe thar RED represents the people of Thailand and all 3 colours exist in harmony with each other on an Equal footing.

Stripes are all the same size.

[Golf]

RED represents Thai Nation, White represents RELIGIOUS, and BLUE represents MONARCHY.

Golf

[Jai Dee]

Stripes are all the same size.

Actually, the centre stripe (blue) is double the width of the other stripes.

And, thank you Golf... you of all people should know because you are khon Thai.

[astral]

I heard years ago that the blue was representing the king, the red the people and the white the monkhood, or I may have got it mixed up. The guy that told me had a good reason though - something about the monkhood(sanga) keeping the country together along with the king taking a central role.

Then again you do hear some real &lt;deleted&gt;.

Anyone ever heard of this?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is my understanding as well, but like you I am not sure about the colours either.

[Rinrada]

Stripes are all the same size. (3 stripes)

Get your measuring tape out

[chaladmak]

this is very informative, thanks.

I heard that actually Thailand was never prominent as a state in this region - especially if compared to mighty neibours. but somehow they managed to survive as sovrenity till this day. clever - I like that.