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.
Royal flag of King Rama IX. The flag was yellow with personal monogram in the middle.
The national flag display along with the simplified version of the royal flag of King Rama IX.
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 is purple. It is the color of Saturday, and on her birthday, there is a symbol "ส.ท." in the middle. The symbol is the abbreviation of Queen Suthida (ส.ท. : สุทิดา) under the Royal Crown. This flag has been in effect from June 2019 until now, after the royal coronation ceremony.
Royal flag of Queen Sirikit. The flag was blue with personal monogram in the middle.
The simplified version of the royal flag of Queen Sirikit.
The displays of the national flag along with the Flag of the Royal Ceremonial of Her Majesty the Queen's 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary.
Royal flag of Queen Suthida. The flag was purple with personal monogram in the middle.
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.
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.
Pink flag (the Princess birthday colour), the middle is the royal cypher topped by the crown. in between is the Thai symbol for the numeral 6. signifying her status as the princess of Rama VI.
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.
Blue flag (the Queen's birthday colour), the middle depicts the Royal Emblem of the Celebrations on the Auspicious Occasion of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen 80th Birthday Anniversary.
Blue flag (the Queen's birthday colour), the middle depicts the Royal Ceremonial Emblem of Her Majesty the Queen's 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary.
1 January 2016–31 December 2016. (Display along with the Flag of the Royal Ceremonial on the 70th Anniversary of His Majesty the King's Accession to the Throne)
Blue flag (the Queen's birthday colour), the middle depicts the Royal Emblem of the Celebrations on the Auspicious Occasion of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s 90th Birthday Anniversary.
Yellow flag (the King's birthday colour), the middle depicts the Royal Emblem of the Royal Ceremonial on the 5th Cycle Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the King.
Yellow flag (the King's birthday colour), the middle depicts the Royal Ceremonial Emblem on the Grand Celebrations of the Reign, marking the longest reign in the Thai history.
Yellow flag (the King's birthday colour), the middle depicts the Royal Ceremonial Emblem on the 50th Anniversary of His Majesty the King's Accession to the Throne or the Golden Jubilee.
Yellow flag (the King's birthday colour), the middle depicts the Royal Ceremonial Emblem on the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty the King's Accession to the Throne.
Yellow flag (the King's birthday colour), the middle depicts the Royal Emblem in Commemoration of the Celebrations on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary.
Yellow flag (the King's birthday colour), the middle depicts the Royal Emblem in Celebration on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King’s 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary.
Yellow flag (the King's birthday colour), the middle depicts the Royal Ceremonial Emblem on the 70th Anniversary of His Majesty the King's Accession to the Throne.
9 June 2016–31 December 2017. (Display along with the Flag of the Royal Ceremonial of Her Majesty the Queen's 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary.) (Discontinued on 13 October 2016 after his death.)