Flag of Thailand

The flag of Thailand, known as the Trairanga, symbolizes the three pillars of the Thai nation which are the people, their religion, and the monarchy. This design reflects the country's unity and its deep-rooted respect for the central institutions that define its identity and culture.

Red represents the blood shed for the land and the strength of the nation, while white symbolizes the purity of religious faith, specifically Buddhism. The central blue stripe stands for the monarchy, which is considered the heart and guiding force of the kingdom.

Historically, the national flag began as a simple red banner before adding a white chakra and later a white elephant, which is a sacred symbol of royal power. In the early twentieth century, King Rama VI transitioned to a striped design after reportedly seeing an elephant flag flying upside down during a flood. The current tricolor version was finalized to align with the colors of Allied nations during World War I and to highlight the monarchy through the addition of a blue stripe.