Thailand started to use flags at the time of Ayutthaya but, in the beginning, there were flags of colors different like symbol regular from the battalions, like signs organization of the armies.

Then, when Thailand made maritime trade with the foreign countries, it started to use without stopping, until the time of Ratanakosin, a flag of red fabric like house for the Thai ships.

At the time of the king Rama II (1809 to 1824 of the Christian era), since the Malayan ones also used red flags, this one ordered to modify the national flag and thus ordered to put the image of a white elephant in the wheel of Vishnou at the center of the red flag. Because, during it With reign one found 3 elephants white, which was judged to be a sign of extremely good forecasts for the nation. It was the symbol of the flag of the nation thai.

The king Rama IV, asked that one modify the flag by removing the wheel. It did not remain whereas the image of the elephant in the center of the red flag, and one estimated as from this moment that it was the national flag.

In 2460 of the Buddhist era (1917 of the Christian era), the king Rama VI ordered that one changes with once again the national flag so that it is elegant and harmonizes some with the flags of the countries combined while issuing which it would have three colors laid out in red bands, white, blue.The Thai flag national was then called "Thong Traïrong" what means "flag with three colors".

The colors have the following significance:
Blue represents the king, the chief of the country
the white represents the religion, an important thing to act on the spirit and the heart of Thai so that they are gifted people of a moral code
the red represents the nation and solidarity between the Thais

September 12, 1916, the king Rama VI travels from there in North, realizes that the flag has hisssé with back - presenting the elephant the legs in the air, laid down on the back. Da manner so that this fact does not reproduce any more, it decided that it was preferable to withdraw the elephant of the flag.

About Thailand :

The name :Thailand, which was officially proclaimed in 1949, means :Land of the Free.

Thailand is situated in the South East Asian mainland and covers an area of 513,115 km2, ranging from 5°30' to 21° North and 97°30' to 105° East. To the north are the Democratic Republic of the Lao People and Myanmar with Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand in the east, Myanmar and the Indian Ocean in the west, and Malaysia in the south.

Thailand is divided into four natural regions: the North; the Central Plain or the Chao Phraya River Basin; the Northeast or the Korat Plateau; and the South or the Southern Peninsula. The North is a mountainous region comprised of natural forest, ridges and deep, narrow alluvial valleys. The Central Plain is a lush, fertile valley and is the richest and most extensive rice producing area in the country. Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is located in this region. The Northeast region is an arid region characterized by undulating hills and frequent floods and droughts. The Southern region is hilly to mountainous with thick virgin forests and rich deposits of minerals and ores.

Thailand is a tropical country with warm and humid weather for most of the year. Typically only two seasons are recognised, the wet season from May to September and the dry season for the remainder of the year. Average temperature is 23°C to 37°C. The population of Thailand is approximately 63 million with an annual growth rate of about 1.3 percent (2003). The population includes descendants of ethnic Chinese, Malays, Khmer, Lao, Vietnamese, Indians and others. About 95 percent of the population is Buddhist which is the dominant religion, while the remainder of the population practices Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and others. The national language is Thai. The national flag of Thailand is composed of five horizontal bands of red, white and blue colours. Thailand is divided into 76 provinces and governed by a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral parliamentarian form of government.

The present King of Thailand is His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX), the Ninth Monarch of the Chakri Dynasty and the longest-reigning King in the world today. On 5 December 1999, all of Thailand celebrated the 72nd birthday of His Majesty which, in the Buddhist tradition, is the 6th cycle of life.

Thai people are always friendly, greeting visitors with the gracious hospitality and sincere expression of friendship that has earned Thailand the title of :Land of smiles. The Wai, a gesture made by pressing the hands together at the chest, is the traditional greeting customary of the people in Thailand. It is considered polite to return greetings in the same manner as they are offered, so when greeted by a Wai it is best to respond with a Wai.

Thailand has many conservation areas that play an important role in ecosystem stability and biodiversity conservation. The conservation areas include 138 national parks and 53 wildlife sanctuaries which provide places for relaxing, sightseeing and learning about natural resources.