The royal flags of Thailand (Thai: ธงประจำพระองค์) are personal royal flags that are usually flown in Thailand, along with the national flag, to honor the King and royal family. Unlike the royal standards displayed only in special ceremonies and in particular locations, the royal flags are seen throughout Thailand. They are not commonly seen outside the country.
Description
The main royal flags are that of the king of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, known as the "Tenth king" (Rama X), and his consort Queen Suthida. The flag of the previous monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and the flag for Queen Dowager Sirikit are still widely used. These flags are in plain colors with their respective royal cyphers. Other members of the royal family, such as 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. 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 different symbols, such as the symbol marking King Bhumibol's 80th birthday or the one commemorating the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol's 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, such as the multi-tiered white umbrella.[3] The king'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 (as well as the previous king, both were born on a Monday). Many Thais like to wear yellow shirts as an informal homage to their king, especially on Mondays, the day of his birth.
Example of special commemoration flags for the Thai royal family. In this picture was the flag on the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol's ascension to the throne in 2006.
Royal flag of King Vajiralongkorn. The flag was yellow with personal monogram in the middle.
Flag of the Queen
Queen Suthida's flag Patcharasutha Phimonlak is purple. It is the color of Saturday, and on her birth day, there is a symbol "ส.ท." in the middle. The symbol is the abbreviation of Queen Suthida Patcharasutha Phimonlak (ส.ท. : สุทิดา) under the Royal Crown. This flag has been in effect from June 2019 until now, after the royal coronation ceremony.
Flag of Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother. The Queen was born on Friday, so she used a blue color with the royal name "ส.ก." under the Royal Crown.
Flag of Queen Suthida. The Queen was born on Saturday, so she used a purple color with the royal name "ส.ท." under the Royal Crown.
List of royal flags
| Royal flag | Dates | Use | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 2016– | Personal flag of King Maha Vajiralongkorn | Yellow flag (the King's birthday colour), the middle the depicts the royal cypher "ว.ป.ร.", topped by the Great Crown of Victory, in between is the Thai symbol for the numeral 10, signifying his rule as Rama X. |
| 2019– | Personal flag of Queen Suthida | Purple flag (the Queen's birthday colour), the middle is Queen Suthida's royal cypher, topped by the Crown of the Great Lady. |
 |
1946–2016 | Personal flag of King Bhumibol Adulyadej | Yellow flag (the King's birthday colour), the middle the depicts the royal cypher "ภ.ป.ร.", topped by the Great Crown of Victory, in between is the Thai symbol for the numeral 9, signifying his rule as Rama IX. |
| 1950– | Personal flag of Queen Mother Sirikit | Blue flag (the Queen Mother's birthday colour), the middle is Queen Sirikit's royal cypher, topped by the Crown of the Great Lady. |
 | 1977– | Personal flag of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn | Purple flag (the Princess' birthday colour), the middle is the royal cypher, topped by the medium 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. |
 | 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. |
 | 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". |
 | 2019– | Personal flag of Princess Bajrakitiyabha | Orange flag (the Princess' birthday colour), the middle is the royal cypher, topped by the simplified crown. |
 | 2019– | Personal flag of Princess Sirivannavari | Orange flag (the Princess' birthday colour), the middle is the royal cypher, topped by the simplified crown. |
 | 2019– | Personal flag of Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti | Blue flag (the Prince's birthday colour), the middle is the royal cypher, topped by the simplified crown. |
 | 1982– | Personal flag of Princess Siribhachudhabhorn | Blue flag (the Princess' birthday colour), the middle is the royal cypher, topped by the glowing tiara. |
 | 2016– | Personal flag of Princess Adityadhornkitikhun | Purple flag (the Princess' favourite colour), the middle is the royal cypher. |
 | 1995– 2008 | Personal flag of Princess Galyani Vadhana, the Princess of Naradhiwas | Princess Galyani Vadhana (1923 – 2008), king Bhumibol's elder sister, had a navy-blue flag. 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. |
See also
Notes and references
External links
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