Bangkok: The Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, alongside representatives from the four branches of the armed forces and the Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, visited Loei province to conduct activities in honor of His Majesty the King's birthday and to reenact the historical Battle of Ban Mak Khaeng.
According to Thai News Agency, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, along with all branches of the military and the Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, participated in a ceremonial event that included singing the Royal Anthem and offering tributes in front of His Majesty the King's portrait. This was part of the celebrations marking His Majesty the King's birthday. The event took place at 9:00 AM at the Kok Sathon Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Dan Sai District, Loei Province, where General Ukrit Boontanon, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, was accompanied by commanders from various military branches and police officials.
The commemorative event at "Ban Mak Khaeng," a village with a history of transformation from a battlefield to a symbol of royal grace, paid homage to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The King, who once held the military rank of "Captain, Crown Prince of Thailand," played a pivotal role in assisting and commanding military and police forces to restore peace and stability in this border region. The event was attended by Mr. Chaiyapoj Charoonpong, Governor of Loei Province, along with a diverse group of participants from different sectors and government agencies.
This historic occasion was led by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and included various activities such as mobile medical units providing healthcare services to the public. Additionally, a visit was made to the Yensira Ban Mak Khaeng School, a site with historical significance due to past attacks by communist insurgents. This site is being preserved to educate future generations about how the protection offered by the monarchy helped Thailand overcome threats during times of ideological division. Even after overcoming the communist threat, royal patronage has continued to foster development in the area.