Proper Way to Half-Mast the Flag in Mourning for Phra Ong Pha — Half-Mast for 15 Days

After the government announced that government agencies, state enterprises, state bodies, and educational institutions nationwide must lower their flags to half-mast for 15 days to pay respects. to Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendirathepdeyawadi, Krom Luang Rajsarinisiri Phatchara Mahavajraratchathida. or"Phra Ong Pha".This has caused many to wonder about the correct way to lower the flag to half-mast, as it is often misunderstood as simply raising the flag to half the full height of the flagpole.

There are clear official regulations for lowering the flag to half-mast, and it does not mean placing the flag exactly in the middle of the flagpole as many believe.

Announcement "Half-mast flag lowering" What does it mean?

Lowering the flag to half-mast is an international custom used to express mourning, respect, and condolences for important national figures or significant events causing loss. State agencies follow government or Prime Minister's Office announcements. Thus, half-masting the flag is a symbol of grief and remembrance for the deceased or those who have contributed to the nation.

Differences between half-mast lowering for 3 days, 5 days, and 15 days.

• Half-mast for 3 days. Usually applied when mourning important individuals or significant events that the government deems appropriate for a short period of mourning.
• Half-mast for 5 days. Used for more significant occasions or to mourn high-ranking important persons as declared by the government.
• Half-mast for 15 days. Represents a longer mourning period, typically for cases involving senior members of the royal family or major national events for which the government orders special mourning.

The correct way to lower the flag to half-mast—what must be done properly, as many have been mistaken all along.

Many misunderstand that lowering the flag to half-mast means placing the flag exactly at the midpoint of the flagpole. In reality, there are proper procedures as follows.

Lowering the flag to half-mast in the morning at 08:00 (flag raising time).

1. Raise the national flag normally to the top of the pole to show sovereignty.

2. After the national anthem finishes, lower the flag from the top by about one-third of the pole's height.

3. The flag should be at approximately two-thirds the height of the flagpole.

In summary, the flag remains fairly high near the top of the pole, not exactly in the middle as many call "half-mast.""Half-mast"

Lowering the flag to half-mast in the evening at 18:00 (flag lowering time).

1. Before the national anthem begins, raise the flag back to the top of the pole to show sovereignty.

2. When the national anthem starts playing, lower the flag from the pole normally.

3. After the anthem ends, lower the flag to a height of two-thirds of the flagpole.

This procedure is the correct official method for lowering the flag to half-mast and shows respect for the national flag as well as a dignified mourning for Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha.

Thank you to the source : YouTubeThai National Flag Museum

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