List of flags of the Royal Thai Armed Forces

Flags of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (Thai: ธงของกองทัพไทย). Most of the flags used by the Thai military today were stipulated in the Flag Act of 1979 (พระราชบัญญัติ ธง พ.ศ. ๒๕๒๒).[1][2]

The honor guard of the 1st Security Force Bataillion, Royal Thai Air Force, carried their unit colour called "Thong Chai Chalermphol" (ธงชัยเฉลิมพล) during the funeral procession of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana in 2008.

Head of the Armed Forces

FlagDateUseDescription
1910–presentGaruda war flag of the king
(ธงชัยพระครุฑพ่าห์น้อย: Thongchai Phra Khrut Phah Noi)
The war flags are used only by the King of Thailand, who is the constitutional Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. The flags were created by King Vajiravudh in 1910. In accordance with ancient tradition the flags are to be used as a pair, with the Garuda flag always to the king's right and the Hanuman flag to the king's left; perhaps as a signal to soldiers in ancient times, the location and the direction of travel of the king. The flags are always carried by two officers of the King's guard and accompanies the king (when in military uniform) when he travels in a royal procession or military parade. The flags only appear in rare royal ceremonies, such as the Thai Royal Guards parade. Unlike the Royal Standard of Thailand, which is to be used on every occasion when the king is present.
1910–presentHanuman war flag of the king
(ธงชัยราชกระบี่ยุทธน้อย: Thongchai Raja Krabi Yut Noi)

Ministry of Defence of Thailand

FlagDateUseDescription
1936–presentFlag of the Minister of Defence of ThailandWhite flag in the ratio of 5:6, with the Emblem of the Ministry of Defence in the center. The emblem consists of a red chakra (Army), the dark blue anchor (Navy) and the sky blue wings (Air Force) under the royal Great Crown of Victory.

Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters

FlagDateUseDescription
1979–presentFlag of the Royal Thai Armed Forces HeadquartersFlag in the ratio of 2:3, with a yellow border on three sides except for the side facing the flag pole. The center is divided into a tricolour with red, dark blue and sky blue in order from the flag pole out (These represents the colour of the Army, Navy and Air force). At the center of the tricolour is a badge of the Headquarters with a golden Chakra, with an anchor with golden chains and golden Wings, surrounded by a golden wreath.
1979–presentFlag of the Chief of Defence Forces of ThailandSimilar to the Flag of the Royal Thai Armed Forces HQ but with five yellow stars surrounding the bottom of the badge.

Royal Thai Army

FlagDateUseDescription
1979–presentFlag of the Royal Thai ArmyRed flag with a ratio of 2:3, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army: a chakra under the Thai symbol for Aum /Unalome topped by the Great Crown of Victory with rays emanating from the top and surrounded by a wreath.

Army unit colour

FlagDateUseDescription
1979–presentRoyal Thai Army unit coloursA square Trairanga with the emblem of Royal Thai Army in middle, surrounded below with the unit's name, and the Royal Cypher of King Bhumibol Adulyadej at top canton. This is the pattern currently issued to the units of the army, except for the battalions of the King's Own Bodyguards, which has its own design. This Colour called "Thong Chai Chalermphol" (ธงชัยเฉลิมพล) which can be translated as "Victory Colours").

King's Own Bodyguards

FlagDateUseDescription
1953–present1st Infantry Regiment, King's Own Bodyguards unit coloursTrairanga with a red rectangle with a white elephant in regalia at the center. In the top canton is the crowned royal cypher in gold with the name of the unit below.

Army command flags

FlagDateUseDescription
1979–presentFlag of the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai ArmyRed flag in the ratio of 2:3, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army with five stars underneath.
1979–presentFlag for Regional CommandersRed flag with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army with three stars underneath. Currently there are four Army regions: the 1st (Central), 2nd (Northeast), 3rd (Northwest) and 4th (South).
1979–presentFlag for Divisional CommandersRed flag with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army with two stars, one on either side.

Army rank flags

FlagDateUseDescription
1979–presentFlag for the rank of Field MarshalRed flag in the ratio of 2:3, with five yellow stars surrounding a badge consisting of a crossed Royal Garuda Baton and a saber surrounded by a wreath of leaves.
1979–presentFlag for the rank of GeneralRed flag with four yellow stars in the middle
1979–presentFlag for the rank of Lieutenant GeneralRed with three yellow stars in the middle
1979–presentFlag for the rank of Major GeneralRed flag with two yellow stars in the middle
1979–presentFlag for the rank of Brigadier GeneralRed flag with one yellow star in the middle

Army identification flag

FlagDateUseDescription
1979–presentIdentification flag for an Army CorpsDiagonal red and pink flag with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army in the canton, with three stars (arranged horizontally).
1979–presentIdentification flag for an Army DivisionDiagonal red and pink flag with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army in the canton, with two stars (arranged horizontally).
1979–presentIdentification flag for an Army RegimentDiagonal red and pink flag with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army in the canton.
1979–presentIdentification flag for a Cadet RegimentDiagonal red and yellow flag with the emblem of the Royal Military Academy in the canton.
1979–presentIdentification flag for a Special Forces UnitDiagonal red and pink flag with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army in the canton and the emblem of the Special Forces in the pink half.
1979–presentIdentification flag for a Flying UnitDiagonal red and pink flag with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army in the canton and the emblem of the Flying unit in the pink half.
1979–presentIdentification flag for an Infantry BattalionDiagonal red and white flag, with a red line running counter diagonal, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army in the canton.
1979–presentIdentification flag for a Special Forces BattalionDiagonal red and white flag, with a red line running counter diagonal, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army in the canton and the emblem of the Special Forces in the center.
1979–presentIdentification flag for an Artillery BattalionDiagonal red flag, with a white triangle on the right half and yellow triangle at the bottom, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army on the canton.
1979–presentIdentification flag for a Cadet BattalionDiagonal red flag, with a white triangle on the right half and yellow triangle at the bottom, with the emblem of the Royal Military Academy on the canton.
1979–presentIdentification flag for an Engineer BattalionDiagonal red flag, with a white triangle on the right half and black triangle at the bottom, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army on the canton.
1979–presentIdentification flag for a Signals BattalionDiagonal red flag, with a white triangle on the right half and purple triangle at the bottom, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army on the canton.
1979–presentIdentification flag for a Transport BattalionDiagonal red flag, with a white triangle on the right half and maroon triangle at the bottom, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army on the canton.
1979–presentIdentification flag for a Medical BattalionDiagonal red flag, with a white triangle on the right half and green triangle at the bottom, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army on the canton.
1979–presentIdentification flag for a Military Police BattalionDiagonal red flag, with a white triangle on the right half and navy blue triangle at the bottom, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army on the canton.
1979–presentIdentification flag for an Ordnance BattalionDiagonal red flag, with a white triangle on the right half and orange triangle at the bottom, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army on the canton.
1979–presentIdentification flag for a Flying BattalionDiagonal red flag, with a white triangle on the right half and sky blue triangle at the bottom, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Army on the canton and the emblem of the Flying unit in the center.

Historical army flags

FlagDateUseDescription
1892–1908Flag of the Royal Siamese ArmyRed flag with the Coat of Arms of Siam at the centre. Created during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (reigning 1868–1910) for the first modern equipped land force in Siam.
1908–1936Flag of the Royal Siamese ArmyRed flag with a white elephant in regalia. With the appropriate royal cypher in the top canton.
1936–1979Flag of the Royal Thai ArmyTrairanga with the old emblem of the Royal Siamese Army at the center. The emblem depicts an unalom, inside a chakra. Inside the rim of the chakra is written the phrase: สละชีพ เพื่อชาติ (Willing to give-up life for country). The chakra is surrounded by rays of light.
1936–1938Flag of the Commander of the Royal Siamese ArmyTrairanga in the ratio of 5:6, with a white Chakra at the center.
1938–1979Flag of the Commander of the Royal Thai ArmyTrairanga in the ratio of 5:6, with a Chakra and the Great Crown of Victory in yellow.
1892–1897Regimental Colours of the Royal Siamese Army.From the Flag Regulations for the Kingdom of Siam of Rattanakosin Era 110, granted in 1892 A.D.
White, in the upper right hand corner of which is the seal of office of the regimental namely: - a small red rectangular ground one sixth of the length by one sixth of the breadth of the flag. In the center of this small red ground is a pedestal of yellow colour on which stands a white, elephant, caparisoned, and facing the flag stall.
The colour of the ground of the seal of office varies according to instructions.
These Colours are to be used at all Royal festival and receptions, also in Military expeditions.
1908–1910Royal Siamese Army unit coloursSquare red flag with a white elephant in regalia. With the Royal Cypher of King Chulalongkorn in the canton. The unit's name is written around the cypher.
1910–1925Royal Siamese Army unit coloursSquare red flag with a white elephant in regalia. With the Royal Cypher of King Vajiravudh in the canton. The unit's name is written around the cypher.
1925–1935Royal Siamese Army unit coloursSquare red flag with a white elephant in regalia. With the Royal Cypher of King Prajadhipok in the canton. The unit's name is written around the cypher.
1936–1949Royal Thai Army unit coloursA square national flag of Thailand (also called the Trairanga). With the old emblem of Royal Thai Army in middle, surrounded below with the unit's name, and the Royal Cypher of King Ananda Mahidol at top canton.
1949–1979Royal Thai Army unit coloursA square Trairanga with the old emblem of Royal Thai Army in middle, surrounded below with the unit's name, and the Royal Cypher of King Bhumibol Adulyadej at top canton.

Royal Thai Navy

FlagDateUseDescription
1979–presentFlag of the Royal Thai NavyNavy blue flag in the ratio of 2:3, with the emblem of Royal Thai Navy in a white circle.
1917–presentNaval ensign of ThailandA Trairanga with a red disc containing a white elephant in regalia centred on the National Flag (also known as the 'Trairanga').
1917–presentNaval jack (and naval unit colour) of ThailandA Trairanga with the emblem of Royal Thai Navy in the center.
FlagDateUseDescription
1897–presentFlag for the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai NavyNavy blue flag in the ratio of 2:3, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Navy.
1936–presentFlag for the Commander of the FleetNavy blue swallow-tailed flag in the ratio of 2:3, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Navy.
1936–presentFlag for the Commander of a SquadronNavy blue swallow-tailed flag with the emblem of the Royal Thai Navy, the tip of the flag is white.
1936–presentFlag for the Commander of a BaseNavy blue swallow-tailed flag with the emblem of the Royal Thai Navy, the tip of the flag is sky blue.
1936–presentFlag for the Commander of a Coastal StationNavy blue swallow-tailed flag with the emblem of the Royal Thai Navy, the tip of the flag is red.
1936–presentFlag for the Commander of the Royal Thai Marine CorpsNavy blue swallow-tailed flag with the emblem of the Royal Thai Navy, the tip of the flag is yellow.
FlagDateUseDescription
1979–presentFlag for the rank of Admiral of the FleetNavy blue square flag with five white Chakras. The Chakras are positioned with four on each corner and one at the center of the flag.
1979–presentFlag for the rank of admiralNavy blue square flag with four white Chakras. The Chakras are positioned with four on each corner of the flag.
1979–presentFlag for the rank of vice admiralNavy blue square flag with three white Chakras. Three Chakras two below and one in the middle of the flag- forming a triangle.
1979–presentFlag for the rank of rear admiralNavy blue square flag with two white Chakras. Two Chakras parallel vertically.
1979–presentFlag for the rank of commodoreNavy blue square flag with one white Chakra. One Chakra at the center of the flag.

Historical naval flags

FlagDateUseDescription
1881-1897Naval ensign of SiamRed flag with a white elephant in regalia, with a white Chakra at the top corner.
1898–1912Naval ensign of SiamRed flag with a white elephant in regalia.
1912–1917Naval ensign of SiamRed flag with a white elephant in regalia, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Navy at the top corner.
1855–1881Naval jack of SiamBlue flag with a white elephant.
1881–1917Naval jack of SiamBlue flag with a white elephant in regalia.

Royal Thai Air Force

FlagDateUseDescription
1979–presentFlag of the Royal Thai Air ForceSky blue flag in the ratio of 2:3, with the emblem of the Royal Thai Air Force: double-wings with the Thai Aum/ Unalome under the Great Crown of Victory with light emanating from the top.

Air Force unit colour

FlagDateUseDescription
1936–presentRoyal Thai Air Force unit coloursA square Trairanga with the emblem of the Royal Thai Air Force inside blue circle with yellow border in middle and flanked with unit's name. At the Canton is the King's royal cypher. This colour called "Thong Chai Chalermphol" (ธงชัยเฉลิมพล) which can be translated as "Victory Colours").

Air Force command flags

FlagDateUseDescription
1979–presentFlag for Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air ForceSky blue flag in the ratio of 2:3, with yellow borders and an emblem depicting an escutcheon depicting the National flag, behind are a pair of wings, topped by the Great Crown of Victory, with light rays and a white Aum/ Unalome.

Air Force rank flags

FlagDateUseDescription
1979–presentFlag for the rank of Marshal of the Royal Thai Air ForceSky blue flag in the ratio of 5:6, with five white stars surrounding a badge consisting of a crossed Royal Garuda Baton and a saber surrounded by a wreath of leaves in white.
1979–presentFlag for the rank of Air Chief MarshalSky blue flag with four white stars.
1979–presentFlag for the rank of Air MarshalSky blue flag with three white stars.
1979–presentFlag for the rank of Air Vice MarshalSky blue flag with two white stars.
1979–presentFlag for the rank of Air CommodoreSky blue flag with one white star.

Historical air force flags

FlagDateUseDescription
1936–1939Flag of the Royal Siamese Air Force DivisionTrairanga with the emblem of the Royal Siamese Air Force Division (name later changed to Royal Siamese Air Force in 1937) on a blue background in the center.
1939–1946Flag of the Royal Thai Air ForceTrairanga with the old emblem of the Royal Thai Air Force on a blue circle in the center. Top right is the Royal Cypher of King Ananda Mahidol (1935–1946).
1939–1946Flag of the Royal Thai Air ForceTrairanga with the old emblem of the Royal Thai Air Force on a blue circle in the center. Top right is the Royal Cypher of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
1946–1979Flag of the Royal Thai Air ForceTrairanga with the emblem of the Royal Thai Air Force on a blue circle in the center. Top right is the Royal Cypher of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
1936–1979Flag of the Commander of the Royal Siamese Air ForceSky blue flag in the ratio of 5:6, with a yellow Chakra with two wings, topped by the Great Crown of Victory.

Historical war flags

FlagDateUseDescription
1885–1887Standard of the Royal Siamese Army during the Haw wars
(ธงจุฑาธุชธิปไตย: Thong Chudhadhujdhippatai)
A red Flag with the Royal Coat of Arms of Siam at the center, with a three borders depicting the blades of a chakra. The flags was presented to Chao Phraya Surasakmontri (Cherm Saeng-Chuto) by King Chulalongkorn in 1885 as a colour for the Siamese army sent to fight the Haw rebels in the north of the country, the war ended in 1890.[3][4]
1912–1925Standard of the Royal Siamese Army under King Vajiravudh
(ธงมหาไพชยนต์ธวัช: Thong Mahapachayonthawat)
Created in 1912 by King Vajiravudh. The king intended to have the flag paired with that of his father's. The standard is red with a black rectangle, in the center is the personal symbol of the King. It depicts the Vajra on a two-tiered pedestal with lightning rays emanating from it. Flanked on either side by seven-tired royal umbrellas.
1917–1918Standard of the Siamese Expeditionary Force, ObverseTrairanga defaced with a red disc containing dressed white elephant, facing a flagpole. Briefly, its appearance is the same as naval ensign, but both red stripes contain a portion of the 6th century Chant to the Buddha's Victories written in Pali using Thai script: "พาหุํสหัส์สมภินิม์มิตสาวุธัน์ตํ ค๎รีเมขลํอุทิตโฆรสเสนมารํ ทานาทิธัม์มวิธินาชิตวามุนิน์โท ตัน์เตชสาภวตุเมชยสิทธินิจ์จํ". This flag was carried by the Siamese volunteer corp sent to the war in Europe in 1918, the force and the flag was part of the Allied victory parade under the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris 1919.
1917–1918Standard of the Siamese Expeditionary Force, ReverseTrairanga defaced with a red disc containing King Vajiravudh's personal cypher. The emblem features Thai acronym "ร.ร." and Thai digit six ("๖"), both are displayed under the glowing crown. Both red stripes of the flag contain the same inscription as the obverse.

Historical units

FlagDateUseDescription
1938–1947Standard of the Thai Junior Soldiers (ยุวชนทหาร: Yuwachon Thahan)Trairanga defaced with a red disc, with a yellow border. At the center is the old emblem of the Thai Army. Top canton is the Royal cypher of King Ananda Mahidol. The unit fought bravely against the Japanese army when they invaded Thailand 8 December 1941.

References

See also

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