Agenda: September 28, the Thai National Flag Day
Put it in your diary: September 28 is National Flag Day in Thailand. This date commemorates the anniversary of the current tricolor Thai flag which was introduced by King Rama VI on September 1917.
Today, the colors of the Thai flag represent three of the important institutions for the Thai people; nation, religion and monarchy. Red represents the blood shed to keep the country free and independent. White represents religion. Some will argue that white pertains specifically to the purity of Buddhism, while others will say that the white in the flag represents all religions present in Thailand and not just Buddhism. The color blue in the Thai flag symbolizes the monarchy in Thailand.
The Thai flag can flutter independently in the wind or together with other flags, such as the yellow flag with the royal insignia. Yellow is the color of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej because he was born on a Monday. that also applies to the current king Rama X. Queen mother Sirikit has her own flag in the color blue (she was born on a Friday).
Not all yellow flags represent the king. At temples and festivals, it is common to see a Thai flag next to a yellow flag with a round symbol on it. This is a Buddhist flag and the circle is the Dharmachakra, also known as the Wheel of Life or Wheel of Doctrine.