Author by : Eric Lim

Trooping the Colour in Bangkok is an annual ceremony at the
Royal Plaza for officers and men of the King’s Guard to pledge
their allegiance and offer birthday blessings to their King.

Held on 2 December 2005, three days before the 78th birthday
of King Bhumipol Adulyadej, the event was televised live
nation-wide from 1645 hours on all channels.

The 12 contingents of 2,000 officers and men representing
battalions of the King’s Guard from all three services marched
down Ratchadamnoen Avenue, resplendent in their colourful
ceremonial uniforms and busbies, an array of scarlet, blue,
green, yellow and white.

Led by their officers and the Colour parties each bearing the
standard that is the pride of every fighting unit, the troops
marched under the arches bearing the King’s photographs to
take up positions at the Royal Plaza.

Located at the end of Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the Royal Plaza
is where the revered King Rama V Equestrian Monument
stands against the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall with its
stately dome in the background.

On entering the Royal Plaza, the column halted, turned
smartly to the left in extended order to face the Royal Pavilion
and await the arrival of His Majesty.

Trooping the Colour officially commenced with the arrival of
His Majesty King Bhumipol at 1715 hours to the strains of the
Royal Anthem. The Colours were lowered as a mark of respect.

King Bhumipol in his scarlet tunic and black busby reviewed
the troops in a yellow open hood Rolls Royce accompanied by
Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Crown
Prince.

After the troop review, the Supreme Commander, Service
Chiefs and their Chiefs-of-Staff assembled before the Royal
Pavilion. To mark the occasion of the King’s Birthday on 5
December, which is also National Fathers’ Day, the Supreme
Commander presented a ceremonial tray of flowers to His
Majesty the King, the father of the nation.

The Royal Plaza resounded with 2,000 voices in unison, led by
the Supreme Commander, pledging allegiance to the longest
reigning monarch in the world. To the booms of a 21-gun salute,
the King’s yellow pennant was floated up in a huge balloon,
followed by 7,200 balloons.

In his speech, His Majesty the King thanked the Royal Guard
for their good wishes and loyalty. Stressing the current threats
faced by the nation, he urged all troops to discharge their
duties diligently.

The bugle call at 1810 hours signaled the start of the highlight
of Trooping the Colour. The 12 contingents of the King’s
Guard marched proudly past the Royal Pavilion, with the
battalion that served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars in the
vanguard.

In the wake of the marching column, mounted on shiny steeds,
a cavalry troop of lancers in dazzling brass helmets with blue
plumes added élan to Trooping the Colour.

When the Royal Guard returned to their original positions, the
military band, which doubled up as an equally good choir,
rendered a harmonious song of blessing to His Majesty, a
fitting end to a grand parade.

Trooping the Colour ended at 1840 hours as the Royal
motorcade drove past the troops towards the Ananda
Samakhom Throne Hall, which was bathed in a golden glow of
lights.

From the ranks of the Royal Guard rose three hearty cheers,
“Long Live the King!”

Appreciate the grandeur of the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall.

[tags]Trooping the Colour, King’s Birthday Parade, Royal Guard, Royal Plaza, Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall[/tags]

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