The Thai national anthem is much beloved and respected, it is played every day at 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM; also at these times, the Thai flag is raised and lowered. The Thai national anthem is played from loudspeakers and everybody stops what they are doing and stands still. It is also played at the flag raising times on the radio and on all the TV stations. Sometimes a TV show will be interupted and the anthem will play accompanied by patriotic images, at those times, the national anthem is top priority.
The music of the Thai national anthem was composed in 1932 by Professor Phra Jenduriyang, while the lyrics, as presently constituted, were written in 1939 by Colonel Luang Saranuprabhands.
A literal translation of the Thai national anthem is as follows:
Thailand is the unity of Thai blood and body.
The whole country belongs to the Thai people, maintaining thus far for the Thai.
All Thais intend to unite together.
Thais love peace, but do not fear to fight.
They will never let anyone threaten their independence.
They will sacrifice every drop of their blood to contribute to the nation;
will serve their country with pride and prestige-full of victory.
CHAI YO.
Thai Flag
The flag of the Kingdom of Siam was created during the reign of King Rama II and flew on all Siamese sea-going vessels The symbol of a white elephant on a red background was chosen because white elephants are considered very auspicious by Thais. King Rama II was known as the ‘White Elephant King’ as he had three of these noble animals in his possession during his reign. The present national flag , the “Trai-rong” or three colors , was designed by King Rama VI and was first used on September 28, 1917.
The five horizontal stripes of three colors-red, white, and blue-have very significant meanings. Red signifies the life-blood of Thai people; the white stripe symbolizes the purity of Buddhism, the national religion; and the dominant blue stripe, the monarchy and the important part it plays in the daily life of the Thai people.
Another version: The flag originally had a red stripe in the center, but it was changed to blue to show support of its World War I allies. The color red symbolizes blood shed for the country.