Event organized to celebrate Thailand's national flag

BANGKOK, September 4 (TNA) - A grand event will be organized in Uthai Thani in the Lower Thai North later this month to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the present national flag by late His Majesty King Rama VI. Uthai Thani Deputy Governor Pongpan Wichiensamut told journalists on September 3 that the grand event will be organized at a main outdoor plaza in Muang District during September 12-17 to honor late His Majesty King Rama VI or King Vajiravuth. According to the deputy governor, local people have begun decorating their houses and buildings, especially those in business areas, as part of the celebration. The deputy governor said there are several activities during the five-day event, including a procession of ancient boats, a demonstration of an ancient market and a public forum on the history of Thailand's national flag, as well as processions and performances of local folk arts and exhibitions on the history of Uthai Thani Province and its historic sites. The deputy governor revealed that late His Majesty King Rama VI visited Uthai Thani on September 13, 1916 when local people were happy and decorated their houses and buildings with the old Siam Flag with the emblem of a white elephant, but those who could not afford to acquire the old Siam Flag decorated their places with pieces of red and white cloth instead. Inspired by people in Uthai Thani, late His Majesty King Rama VI later changed the national flag from the old Siam Flag to the present Trairong Flag of the red, white and blue colors on September 28, 1917, with five horizontal stripes in the red, white, blue, white and red. The central blue stripe is twice as wide as each of the other four. (TNA)