Prime Minister Anutin presided over the 72nd anniversary ceremony of the Territorial Defense Volunteers, invoking the royal directives to carry out their duties with bravery, courage, and integrity for the nation.
At 13:00 on 10 Feb 2026 GMT+7, at the Personnel Development Center building, College of Local Administration, Thanyaburi District, Pathum Thani Province, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, in his capacity as Commander of the Territorial Defense Volunteers, chaired the tribute ceremony and oath-taking before the Territorial Defense Volunteers' flag, marking the 72nd anniversary of the Territorial Defense Volunteers in 2026. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Interior Sakda Wichiansin, Deputy Minister of Interior Sasithorn Kittitharakul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Atthit Sampantharat, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration Naruetcha Kosasivilai, Pathum Thani Governor Akwit Meephian, commanders, officers, and 1,100 members of the Territorial Defense Volunteers.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister, as Commander of the Territorial Defense Volunteers, presented the “Territorial Defense Lifetime Service” badges, the Territorial Defense Volunteers’ Commendation pins, awards for outstanding Territorial Defense Volunteer companies, standard companies, and outstanding volunteer members for the year 2025.
The Prime Minister stated that on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the Territorial Defense Volunteers in 2026, he congratulated all recipients of the Territorial Defense Lifetime Service badges, Commendation pins, awards for outstanding companies, and outstanding volunteer members. The Territorial Defense Volunteers were established based on the royal commitment of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, who bestowed valuable royal guidance stating:
“I urge the Territorial Defense Volunteers to diligently perform their duties by training and educating the public to understand their responsibilities, both personally, within their families, their villages, and ultimately the nation, to foster unity and cooperation to help prevent dangers and maintain peace in their communities with bravery, courage, and honesty for the nation and our sovereignty, so it may endure forever.”
Furthermore, in the present reign, His Majesty the King has the royal commitment to continue, maintain, and advance the national security mission and to alleviate hardship and promote welfare for the Thai people.
“In 2026, I ask all commanders, officers, and members of the Territorial Defense Volunteers to draw upon the royal guidance and commitments of both monarchs to drive the mission of the Territorial Defense Volunteers, maintaining order, internal security, preparedness for natural disaster relief, and implementation of rear-area protection plans in both normal and border conflict situations, as well as social order management and drug prevention and resolution. Please adhere to the principles of ‘up-to-date, modern, and timely’ as the operational approach to ‘alleviate hardship and promote welfare’ for our fellow citizens. Most importantly, above all else, preserve the nation, religion, and monarchy of our country.”
Following this, the Prime Minister led commanders, officers, and members of the Territorial Defense Volunteers in taking the oath before the Territorial Defense Volunteers’ flag, urging them to use the royal guidance and commitments of the monarchs as their operational principles.