King's Flag 1891-1910
Maharaj Flag or
Raromraj-Thawach-Maha-Siamindra Flag / Royal Flag when the King is present
Raromraj-Thawach-Maha-Siamindra
The "Maharaj" Flag or Royal Flag
This red flag [
similar to th-kngnp.gif "Royal Flag when the King is present" but with dark blue instead of light blue] contains a dark blue rectangle, in the middle of which stands the national coat of arms. Above the coat of arms lies the Chakkra – symbol of Chakkri Dynasty – crowned by a trident, while above sits the Greater Crown of the Chakkri Kings.
The coat of arms itself is divided into three sections:
the triple-headed white elephant fully-caparisoned against a plain yellow background, symbolizes northern, central, and southern Siam; the white elephant against a pink background represents Laos
, while the crossed daggers against a red background symbolize Malaya
, with a platform supporting the coat of arms and seven-tiered canopy against a yellow background.
The flag was designed in B.E. 2434 [
1891 AD] during the reign of King Rama V. It was flown from the masts of Royal vessels or from the roof of the Royal Palace in
Bangkok to indicate that the King was currently in residence. In B.E. 2440 [
1897 AD], the flag, known as the "Maharaj" flag, was flown during royal processions or from the masts of Royal vessels or warships whenever His Majesty was on board – a practice that continued until B.E. 2453 [
1910 AD].