The First Siam Flag
The first Siam flag was a plain red flag, first raised at the Wichai Prasit Fort under King Narai the Great in 1680.
The Scene of Ships and Chao Phraya River (1800)Thai Flag Museum
The plain red flag continued to be used on Siamese ships until the beginning of the Rattanakosin era.
Chao Phraya River Map (1800)Thai Flag Museum
A large number of these plain red flags could be seen on merchant ships on the Chao Phraya River near Bangkok.
The Symbol of Chakri Dynasty Integration
In the reign of King Rama I, a white chakra (the weapon of the Hindu god Vishnu, which is also used as part of the symbol of the Chakri dynasty) was added to the red flag and used exclusively on royal ships. Commoners continued to use the plain red flag.
An Ancient Scarf (1800)Thai Flag Museum
An ancient scarf displayed flags that held significance as it included the Siam flag with a white chakra pattern.
A German flag book (1826)Thai Flag Museum
A German flag book shows the Siam flag with a white chakra as the first pattern of the Siam flag (1826). Due to a misunderstanding, the sun was recorded instead of the chakra.
A German flag book shows the Siam flag with a white chakra as the first pattern of the Siam flag (1826). Due to a misunderstanding, the sun was recorded instead of the chakra.
The White Elephant added-on Flag
During the reign of King Rama II, the king had three white elephants, hence a white elephant was added at the center of the chakra. Commoners still used the plain red flag.
The Re-design of Siam Flag
In 1840, during the reign of King Rama III, the new Siam flag pattern featuring the white elephant without a chakra was used on both the royal ships and the general public.
The world flag chart made in France in 1840 during the reign of King Rama III also displayed the white elephant flag known as the Siam flag.
The Record of Using the White Elephant Flag (1843)Thai Flag Museum
A document entitled ‘Supplement of the Singapore Free Press’ shows an article about the white elephant flag used on a Siamese ship during the reign of King Rama lll.
A document entitled ‘Supplement of the Singapore Free Press’ shows an article about the white elephant flag used on a Siamese ship during the reign of King Rama lll.
A sample of white elephant flags in various styles was used from the reign of King Rama III to King Rama VI.
The white elephant flag was printed on many items during the reign of King Rama V as the symbol of Siam.
The white elephant flag, the symbol of Siam, was printed on silk as a gift.
The white elephant flag, the symbol of Siam, was printed on felt as a gift.
The white elephant flag, the symbol of Siam, was printed on celluloid.
The Update of Flag Design
In 1916 the pattern of the Siam flag was changed again. King Rama VI announced the use of a white elephant in regalia, standing on an altar, centered on a red background to be the Siam flag for government agencies.
A sample of a white elephant in regalia on a red background flag, known as the Siam flag, was printed on a postcard and souvenir.
Siam flag on A Pillowcase And Handkerchief (1916)Thai Flag Museum
A white elephant in regalia, standing on an altar and centered on a red field flag, was printed on a pillowcase and handkerchief representing Siam as a part of the Allies during The Great War.
Flags of nations at war with Germany
The Sample of A White Elephant in Regalia, Standing on An Altar Flag (1916)Thai Flag Museum
An original flag used in the reign of King Rama VI showed a white elephant in regalia, standing on an altar, centered on a red background.
The National Flag
In 1916, besides changing the Siam flag pattern by using a white elephant in regalia on an altar, King Rama VI also announced the use of a merchant flag with red and white stripes. The new flag was also known as the national flag for commoners.
The Sample of The Red And White Stripes Flag (1916)Thai Flag Museum
The original red and white striped flag was used by the people as the national flag. Later it became the blueprint of the Trirong flag. Now this flag is considered a rare artifact.
The Game of Flags (1916)Thai Flag Museum
A game called ‘The Game of Flags’ shows the new flag of Siam, the red and white striped pattern.
The Paper Flags (1916)Thai Flag Museum
Paper flags made in Japan showed the allied countries who took part in The Great War. The collection displayed the Siam flag with a red and white striped pattern as the Siam flag.
The Present Thai Flag
In 1917 King Rama VI commanded a change of color, making the middle stripe dark blue instead of red. Dark blue was chosen to represent solidarity with the Allies of The Great War whom also had the colors red, white and blue in their flags. The King named the new national flag the ‘Trirong’ and it continues to be used to this day.
Souvenirs made from silk embroidered with the Thai national flag pattern.
Souvenirs made from silk printed with the Thai national flag pattern.
The Trirong Flag on Tradecards (1917)Thai Flag Museum
The Thai national flag printed on merchandise cards.
The Thai national flag printed on merchandise cards.
The Thai national flag printed on merchandise cards.
The Thai national flag printed on merchandise cards.
The Thai National Flag Museum:
Pluethipol Prachumphol: The Thai National Flag Museum Director
Jantakarn Khloaisai: Deputy director of The Thai National Flag Museum
Vorapoj Songcharoen: CI Designer
Zen Nuntawinyou: Photographer
Wipthawat Rujittawiwat: Gigapan Photographer
