The three branches of the military jointly fired a 21-gun royal salute in honor of His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn on the occasion of his birthday, 28 July 2026.
On 28 July 2026, the Royal Thai Army, through the 1st Artillery Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment, King's Guard, fired a 21-gun royal salute honoring His Majesty the King on his birthday. The three armed forces fired simultaneously at 12:00 noon at Sanam Luang. One artillery company conducted the salute using four Type 80 light field guns, 75 mm caliber. They fired 21 rounds at five-second intervals, one gun at a time, from right to left, taking a total of 1 minute and 40 seconds.
Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Navy, through the 1st Infantry Battalion, King's Guard, 1st Infantry Regiment, Marine Division, Marine Command, performed a 21-gun royal salute honoring His Majesty the King on his birthday at Pom Wichai Prasit, Naval Command, Old Palace, Bangkok Yai district, Bangkok.
At the same time, the Royal Thai Air Force, through the Air Defense Regiment, Air Force Command, conducted a 21-gun royal salute in honor of His Majesty the King’s birthday at the Air Force Aviation Park, Don Mueang, Bangkok.
The gun salute is an ancient tradition observed worldwide as a sign of respect to a nation or important individuals. It involves firing cannons loaded with black powder or smokeless powder, with the number of rounds corresponding to the level of honor or respect. In Thailand, the 21-gun salute is performed during royal birthday ceremonies, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, and receptions for monarchs or heads of state, symbolizing the highest level of respect.
