Jack (Thailand)

Thong Chan

Last modified: 2007-11-10 by eugene ipavec
Keywords: jack | thong chan | crown: thai | chakra | anchor: fouled (yellow) | stripes: 5 (red-white-blue) |
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2:3
image by Calvin Paige Herring and Miles Li
Flag adopted 1917

• Description
• Unidentified Jack Variant 1962

See also:

• Chakra (wheel) on Thai Military flags
• War Ensign (Thailand)
• Ensigns and other Naval Flags (Thailand)
• Thailand

Description

The Thai Jack is composed of a flag of the national colors defaced by the naval badge in gold. This badge is composed of an anchor with a rope/chain upon which is imposed a version of the chakra symbol. Note the use of the chakra on the flag of India. All of which is surmounted by the royal crown of Thailand. Sources: Flaggenbuch 1939, Barraclough et.al. 1969/1981 and others.

Calvin Paige Herring, 20 May 1998

From the Singha Beer source:

Chan Flag (B.E.2460) [1917 AD]
This flag is similar to the "Trairanga", except for an anchor – threaded through a chakkra, which occupies the center, beneath [a] yellow crown. [Identical to the Jack 1917 (th-n-jak.gif) above, but with clockwise Chakra instead of a counterclockwise one.]

In B.E.2460 [1917 AD] King Rama VI changed old "Chan" flag into the version seen above. The flag is flown from the foremast of the Royal Yacht on a special mission, whether it be a passenger ship or a battleship. It can be flown from the bow whenever the ship stands guard over the harbour. Later, according to a Royal Decree issued in B.E.2479 [1936 AD], it could also be flown from the stem [sic – possibly "stern"?] of any ship in the Navy, denoting that a court martial was taking place on board.

Santiago Dotor, 12 Nov 1999

In Flaggenbuch 1939 this appears with the caption "Gößch der Kriegschiffe; an der Fockmastraa: Wachschiff in Hafen; an der Gaffel: Marinekriegsgericht. Dienstflagge der Marinegebäude", that is "Warships' jack; on the foremast: harbour's guard ship; on the gaff: naval court martial. Service Flag on Navy Buildings", all of which fits well with the above reference.

Santiago Dotor, 20 Jan 2000

...in the first place this is the Navy Flag.

image by Calvin Paige Herring, Miles Li and Eugene Ipavec

From the Singha Beer source:

The Navy Flag (B.E.2505) [1962 AD]
This tricolor flag has a yellow anchor in the middle, theraded [sic] through a Chakkra and topped by the royal crown – also in yellow. In the top left-hand corner, i.e. the one nearest the flagpole, are the Royal initials in red trimmed in yellow, together with an ordinal number denoting the monarch's position in the dynasty. Above this stands a crown – also in yellow – from the top of which radiate shards of blue light. [Like the Jack 1917 above, with crown and initials.]

The flag of the Marine's Division [sic – "the Navy"?] was first designed in B.E.2479 [1936 AD]. Only later were the royal initials placed in the top left-hand corner, together with the Royal Crown and the ordinal number of the reigning monarch. This is also known as the "Chaichalermpol Flag" of the Navy. The flag's new design was speciald ["specified"?] by a Royal Decree issued in B.E.2522 [1979 AD].

Santiago Dotor, 29 Oct 1999