Thailand’s Marine Corps marked its 54th anniversary with a Sattahip ceremony recalling HM the King’s 1959 authorship of the division’s anthem.
Vice Adm. Sonthaya Noichaya presided over the June 28 ceremony at Prince Chumphon Camp. A marching band played the Marine Corps anthem while about a thousand military personnel in attendance heard about the day HM the King presented the song “The Birth” to Marine Corps founders.
Sonthaya said that on that day in 1959, Capt. Sanong Nisalak, who would become the first corps commander, was a guard for HM the King at Klaikangwon Palace in Hua Hin. His Majesty requested for Sanong to sing a song about the marines who served in the Royal Thai Navy, but there was no song. So Sangong sang the navy anthem.
The Royal Thai Marines honor guard salutes His Majesty the King on Marine Corps Day in Sattahip.
HM the King then went downstairs and, after a rest, called for the guard to come in, when he presented the song that became the Marine Corps anthem, “March Ratchanawikyothin.”
Thus, June 28 was rebranded as Marine Corps Day.
