Emblem of Thailand

The national emblem of Thailand (Thai: ตราแผ่นดินของไทย), the arms of dominion of the Thai monarch (currently Vajiralongkorn), is called the พระครุฑพ่าห์ (RTGS transcription: Phra Khrut Pha; "Garuda as the vehicle" (of Vishnu)). The Garuda was chosen as the national emblem by Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1911. People have used this mythical creature as a royal symbol in Thailand for many years.

The Garuda is a mythological beast from Hindu and Buddhist traditions. In Hindu stories, the Garuda carries the god Vishnu (Narayana). Ancient kings of Thailand believed they had special power from the gods, so the Garuda came to show the king's authority.

Today, the Garuda also appears in the national emblem of Indonesia and the emblem of the city of Ulaanbaatar. This shows how important the Garuda is in many cultures.

Symbolism

Main article: Garuda

The Garuda is a special bird-like creature from old stories. It has the head, wings, and claws of an eagle, but the body of a person. In many tales, the Garuda is strong and brave, and it is the king of all birds.

In Thailand, the Garuda became an important symbol because it was linked to the Hindu god Vishnu. The Garuda served as Vishnu’s sacred vehicle. This idea influenced Thai kings, who saw themselves as rulers like gods. Because of this, the Garuda became a symbol of Thailand’s royal heritage.

Royal seals

During the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1350–1767), kings used special stamps called seals to sign important papers. These seals were made from ivory and had different designs for different kinds of work, like handling money or dealing with other countries. Only certain people could use each seal.

Later, in the Rattanakosin Kingdom starting in 1782, kings continued this tradition. They had one seal for personal use and four big seals for government work. These four big seals were named after gods from Hindu stories: Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, and Indra. Today, these important seals are kept safe and used only for special official papers.

Garuda emblem

The Garuda, a mythical creature, is an important symbol in Thailand. Thai kings used Hindu traditions, and the Garuda became a key symbol of royalty and the nation. It represents Garuda, a sacred bird and companion of the god Vishnu.

In 1911, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) made the Garuda Thailand’s national emblem. Since then, it has been used on important documents, government buildings, and money. The Garuda emblem is also used by the Royal Thai Government on official letterheads and uniforms. It shows the king's role as a leader and the government's duty to help him.

Historical emblems

Coat of arms of Siam

From 1873 to 1910, Siam (later named Thailand) used a special emblem. It was designed by King Rama V’s cousin. This emblem looked like coats of arms used in Europe but used Thai symbols instead. It had an elephant, a white elephant, and crossed swords to represent different parts of the country.

The emblem also included important royal items like a crown, umbrellas, and swords. Two mythical animal supporters stood on either side. This design was used again by the army and police much later and is still seen on some official symbols today.

Emblem of the Chakri dynasty

In 1782, when King Rama I started the Chakri dynasty and moved the capital to Bangkok, a new symbol was created. This symbol showed two special weapons, the Chakra and the Trisula, representing the dynasty’s strength and heritage. These weapons are linked to ancient gods and reflect the king’s important past title.