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 officially adopted as the national emblem by Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1911, though this mythical creature had been used as a symbol of royalty in Thailand for many centuries.

The Garuda is a mythological beast from Hindu and Buddhist traditions. In Hindu mythology, the Garuda serves as the vahana (vehicle) of the god Vishnu (Narayana). Ancient kings of Thailand believed in divine kingship, seeing themselves as incarnations of Narayana, so the Garuda came to represent the divine power and authority of the king.

Today, the Garuda also appears in the national emblem of Indonesia and the emblem of the city of Ulaanbaatar, showing its importance across cultures.

Symbolism

Main article: Garuda

The Garuda is a special bird-like creature from ancient Hindu and Buddhist stories. It has the head, wings, and claws of an eagle, but the body of a person. In many tales, the Garuda is very strong and brave, and it is considered 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 divine rulers, much like gods. Because of this, the Garuda became a powerful emblem 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, and there was even a special "Master of the Seal" to help with this.

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, has been an important symbol in Thailand for many years. Thai kings often used Hindu traditions, and the Garuda, known as Phra Khrut Pha, became a key symbol of royalty and the nation. It represents Garuda, the sacred bird and mount of the god Vishnu.

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

Historical emblems

Coat of arms of Siam

From 1873 to 1910, Siam (later named Thailand) used a special emblem 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.