Current situation ‘unstable’ National security must come first
His Majesty the King yesterday called for unity among the armed forces and Thais, urging them to put national security above all else.
The King was addressing soldiers from 13 Royal Guard battalions who gathered at the Royal Plaza for their annual trooping of the colour parade and ceremony of taking an oath of allegiance to mark his 80th birthday on Wednesday.
‘‘It is clear that the current situation is unstable. We can say that if Thais have a lack of awareness for the country, unity, we all may face calamity,’’ His Majesty said.
‘‘Therefore, I ask all soldiers and all Thais in every circle to contemplate whether the country deserves your protection.
‘‘If you think so, please consciously stay honest, minimise prejudice and strengthen kindness and unity.’’
His Majesty, who was released from Siriraj Hospital on Nov 7 after three weeks of medical treatment for insufficient flow of blood to part of his brain, looked physically fit.
His Majesty, accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, arrived at the Royal Plaza in a convertible about 5.10pm yesterday. Other members of the Royal Family also attended.
Several thousand people thronged the streets that led to the Royal Plaza to get a glimpse of the King and members of the Royal Family.
The King, with the Queen by his side, stood in the slowly moving car carrying his sceptre while reviewing the troops in full regalia.
Supreme Commander Boonsrang Niampradit led the soldiers in taking an oath of allegiance before His Majesty, who sat in a pavilion in front of Amporn Garden at the Royal Plaza.
Taking the oath, Gen Boonsrang said soldiers would do their utmost to carry out their tasks with honesty.
They were ready to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the monarch and the Royal Family, he said.
After the oath, cannons at Sanam Sua Pa beside the Royal Plaza fired a 21-gun salute and 8,000 balloons were released into the sky.
The King then spoke to the soldiers, saying that Thailand has managed to maintain its independence and territorial integrity because people realised the importance of being Thai and the duty of protecting the country’s freedom and security.
‘‘As attested to by history, Thais have a close bond and come together as one. They are not divided, and always act in concert,’’ the King said in his speech to the Royal Guards after they swore allegiance to him.
‘‘However, it is clear that the current situation is unstable. We can say that if Thais have a lack of awareness for the country, unity, we all may face calamity.’’
His Majesty urged soldiers and the public to decide for themselves whether the nation is of great importance and is worth protecting to ensure it continues to exist.
‘‘If you realise the country is important, then be careful with your actions and thoughts, stick to honesty, try to put a curb on prejudice and foster compassion and unity among each other.
‘‘No matter what you do, make national security the highest goal,’’ the King said, and wished all Thais happiness and success.
His Majesty then reviewed the soldiers on parade.
More than 2,000 soldiers from 12 Royal Guard battalions marched in the parade.
The trooping of the colour ceremony, which lasted one hour, concluded with a parade of cavalrymen on horseback from the 29th Cavalry Squadron, King’s Guard.
Their Majesties then left the Royal Plaza for Chitralada Palace about 6.10pm.
Along the way, the King waved to people who gathered on the road. They shouted ‘‘Long Live the King’’ as his motorcade passed.
As a prelude to the trooping of the colour ceremony, two activities were organised at the Royal Plaza.
The first was an exhibition of muay thai fighting skills by boxers, followed by a performance of five of the army’s marching bands playing several compositions by the King. As part of the week-long celebrations, the King is to address the nation tomorrow, when he grants an audience to members of the cabinet, chief justices and the National Legislative Assembly as well as highranking state officials at Dusidalai Pavilion in the compound of Chitralada Palace.
On Wednesday, His Majesty meets a congregation of people at Chakri Maha Prasart Throne Hall at 10.30am. Hundreds of thousands of people, in yellow shirts, are expected to gather along the route from Chitralada Palace to the Grand Palace.
At night, fireworks will light the skies and many Thais will perform charitable acts to honour the King, such as donating blood. Across the nation people will also show respect for the monarch by performing merit-making ceremonies that typically involve freeing captive animals, including birds, turtles and fish.
taken from Bangkok Post
