Flag of Thailand
countryThe flag of Thailand was adopted on September 28, 1917 to a design by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). Five horizontal bands with a double-width blue centre. It uses 3 colours: red, white and blue. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Thailand |
|---|---|
| Country | Thailand |
| Official Country Name | Kingdom of Thailand |
| Capital | Bangkok |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | South-Eastern Asia |
| ISO Country Code | TH / THA |
| Internet Domain | .th, .ไทย |
| Calling Code | +66 |
| Currency | Thai baht (THB) |
| National Language(s) | Thai |
| Demonym | Thai |
| Area | 513,120 km² |
| Population | 72 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Thailand |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | September 28, 1917 |
| First Used | 1917 |
| Current Version Adopted | September 28, 1917 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Red, White, Blue |
| Designer | King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) |
| Design Type | Five horizontal bands with a double-width blue centre |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Thailand |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #A51931 | 165, 25, 49 | 0, 85, 70, 35 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Blue | #2D2A4A | 45, 42, 74 | 39, 43, 0, 71 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the land and the people |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents religion and the purity of Buddhism |
| Blue colour | Represents the monarchy |
| Trairanga | “The tricolour” — blue was chosen partly because it was the colour of Friday, the king’s birthday, and partly to show solidarity with the Allies in the First World War |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1917 | The design was first used |
| 1917-09-28 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Thailand Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Thailand
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 109 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | September 28, 1917 |
| Oldest Version | 1917 |
| Designer | King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Cabo Verde, Costa Rica, Mauritius |
| Unique Feature | Five horizontal bands with a double-width blue centre |
Other horizontal multi-band flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Thailand
- The blue centre band is twice the height of the red and white bands beside it, and was added in 1917 partly to align the flag with those of Thailand's First World War allies.
- The flag before 1917 showed a white elephant on a red field; the elephant survives on the naval ensign.
- The current design is known as the Trairanga, and 28 September is observed as national flag day.
- The flag of Thailand was officially adopted on September 28, 1917. It was designed by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI).
- The flag in its present form is 109 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Five horizontal bands with a double-width blue centre.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: red, white and blue.
- The red on the flag stands for the land and the people.
- The white on the flag stands for religion and the purity of Buddhism.
- The blue on the flag stands for the monarchy.
- Trairanga: “The tricolour” — blue was chosen partly because it was the colour of Friday, the king’s birthday, and partly to show solidarity with the Allies in the First World War.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal multi-band" family, shared with 4 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Cabo Verde, Costa Rica and Mauritius.
- Thailand was never colonised — the only country in Southeast Asia that can say so. Absolute monarchy ended on 24 June 1932.
- Muay Thai is the national sport; football is the most watched.
- The national animal is the Thai elephant.
- The national anthem is "Phleng Chat Thai, played nationwide at 8am and 6pm every day".
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Thailand
When was the flag of Thailand adopted?
The flag of Thailand was officially adopted on September 28, 1917.
What do the colours of the flag of Thailand mean?
Red for the land and the people, white for religion and the purity of Buddhism and blue for the monarchy.
When did Thailand gain independence?
Thailand was never colonised — the only country in Southeast Asia that can say so. Absolute monarchy ended on 24 June 1932.
What is the national sport of Thailand?
Muay Thai is the national sport; football is the most watched.
What do the symbols on the flag of Thailand represent?
Trairanga — “The tricolour” — blue was chosen partly because it was the colour of Friday, the king’s birthday, and partly to show solidarity with the Allies in the First World War.
Who designed the flag of Thailand?
The flag was designed by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI).
What are the proportions of the flag of Thailand?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Thailand?
The national anthem is "Phleng Chat Thai, played nationwide at 8am and 6pm every day".
When is the national day of Thailand?
It falls on 5 December, National Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Thailand?
The national animal is the Thai elephant.