Thai Royal Guards parade
Encyclopedia
Every December 2 since 1953, in celebration of the birthday of the King of Thailand, the Royal Guards of the Royal Thai Armed Forces perform a military parade and pledge loyalty to the monarch. The venue is the Royal Plaza at Bangkok
, Thailand, in front of one of the royal palaces.
All three branches of the armed forces take part in the parade, as seen in the composition of the Massed Military Bands, Bugle Squads and the Colors Parties of the 13 military units participating, also unique in their uniforms and bearskin hats, except for the lone cavalry unit in attendance, wearing Cuirassier
uniforms, cavalry helmets, mounts and Thai lances. These uniforms are a nod to the British military traditions in the Royal Thai Armed Forces since the time of King Rama V Chulangkorn in the final years of the 19th century, with a combination of the British and German military drill. The general public also attend the parade celebrations, and Thai television stations broadcast this to the entire nation.
Of the 13 participating battalions most are from the Royal Thai Army with two battalions, one each from the Royal Thai Navy
and Royal Thai Marine Corps and another two battalions coming from the Royal Thai Air Force
; all in full dress uniforms. Of all of them, most are active military units, the rest are military academies of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, represented by cadet battalions of the academies themselves led by their commandants.
The tradition started in 1953 by His Majesty, King Rama IX Bhumibol Adulyadej, as a simple colours ceremony for the new colours of the 1st Infantry Regiment "The King's Bodyguards" and has now grown into a national military tradition through the years. Since 2009, however, Trooping the Colours is not held, however the oath taking part of the ceremony is retained, plus the ceremonial march-in and march-out of the troops and the Massed Bands, the Royal Salutes and the Royal 21-Gun Salute
.
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand, in front of one of the royal palaces.
All three branches of the armed forces take part in the parade, as seen in the composition of the Massed Military Bands, Bugle Squads and the Colors Parties of the 13 military units participating, also unique in their uniforms and bearskin hats, except for the lone cavalry unit in attendance, wearing Cuirassier
Cuirassier
Cuirassiers were mounted cavalry soldiers equipped with armour and firearms, first appearing in late 15th-century Europe. They were the successors of the medieval armoured knights...
uniforms, cavalry helmets, mounts and Thai lances. These uniforms are a nod to the British military traditions in the Royal Thai Armed Forces since the time of King Rama V Chulangkorn in the final years of the 19th century, with a combination of the British and German military drill. The general public also attend the parade celebrations, and Thai television stations broadcast this to the entire nation.
Of the 13 participating battalions most are from the Royal Thai Army with two battalions, one each from the Royal Thai Navy
Royal Thai Navy
The Royal Thai Navy is the navy of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, it was established in the late 19th century. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse is "The Father of Royal Thai Navy". Similar to the organizational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the...
and Royal Thai Marine Corps and another two battalions coming from the Royal Thai Air Force
Royal Thai Air Force
The Royal Thai Air Force or RTAF is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. Since its establishment in 1913, as one of the earliest air forces of Asia, the Royal Thai Air Force had engaged in many major and minor battles. During the Vietnam war era, the air force has been developed with USAF-aid...
; all in full dress uniforms. Of all of them, most are active military units, the rest are military academies of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, represented by cadet battalions of the academies themselves led by their commandants.
The tradition started in 1953 by His Majesty, King Rama IX Bhumibol Adulyadej, as a simple colours ceremony for the new colours of the 1st Infantry Regiment "The King's Bodyguards" and has now grown into a national military tradition through the years. Since 2009, however, Trooping the Colours is not held, however the oath taking part of the ceremony is retained, plus the ceremonial march-in and march-out of the troops and the Massed Bands, the Royal Salutes and the Royal 21-Gun Salute
21-gun salute
Gun salutes are the firing of cannons or firearms as a military or naval honor.The custom stems from naval tradition, where a warship would fire its cannons harmlessly out to sea, until all ammunition was spent, to show that it was disarmed, signifying the lack of hostile intent...
.