Queen's Royal Standard and Pennant (Thailand)

Rachini Yai and Rachini Noi

Last modified: 2023-06-03 by zachary harden
Keywords: queen | rachini yai | garuda | swallowtailed (yellow) |
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1:1 image by Calvin Paige Herring and Eugene Ipavec
Flag adopted 1911

• Description
• Pennant

See also:

• Phya Khrut or Royal Garuda (Royal Flags, Thailand)
• Queen's Broad Pennant (Thailand)
• Queen's Standard 1897-1910 (Thailand)
• Royal Flags (Thailand)
• Thailand

From the Singha Beer source:

Rachini Yai
This yellow flag [similar to th-r-qen.gif above but with smaller Garuda], measuring 10 by 15, with one side cut into the shape of a bird's tail, and the apex reaching a quarter of the way along the flag's total length, is similar to the "Maharaj Yai" in that there is a red garuda in the middle. Flown from the main mast of the Royal Yacht when on official business, it denotes the presence on board of Her Majesty the Queen.

This flag was first used during the reign of King Rama VI, following the issuing of a special Royal Decree (R.S.129) specifying that there should be two types of flag for the exclusive use of Her Majesty the Queen, i.e. the above-mentioned "Rachini Yai" and the "Rachini Noi". These flags have been in use ever since — right down to the present day.

Santiago Dotor, 27 Oct 1999

From the 1979 Flag Act:

Section 7. The Royal Standards for Her Majesty the Queen are: (1) the Thong Rajini Yai is square shape with 2 parts width and 3 parts length and yellow field. The 2 out of 3 parts of the hoist part of the length of the flag is the same as the Thong Maharaj Yai, with the furthest end cut into swallow-tail shape and the depth of the cut being of 1 in 3 parts ratio to the length of the flag.

1:8
(click on image to see full-size detail)
image by Calvin Paige Herring and Eugene Ipavec
Flag adopted 1911

From the Singha Beer source:

Rachini Noi
This tiny yellow flag [like the King's Broad Pennant but with a red tapering swallowtail instead of a white one], less than 60 cms. square, is connected on the right to a long red "tail" that tapers off to a point-like that of a bird's tail [3/8ths], the right-hand side being half the width of the left. The other features are in the same proportions as those found on the "Maharaj Noi".

This flag was used in place of the Rachini Yai whenever there was no order for a 21 gun salute. The flag has been in use since B.E.2453 [1910 AD] i.e. during the reign of King Rama VI – down to the present time.

Santiago Dotor, 27 Oct 1999