Wreath-laying to recognize Thai soldiers at Korean War

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BANGKOK, 23 October 2013 His Majesty the King on October 22 designated Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phukpasuk to deputize for him at the wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the Korean War Veterans Day. The ceremony was held at the Monument of Korean War Veterans situated at the นวมินทราชินี camp in the 21st Infantry Division of Her Majesty the Queen’s royal guards in Chon Buri Province. 

At the ceremony, General Yuthasak Sasiprapha, a deputy prime minister , laid a wreath on behalf of Ms Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister and Defence Minister, followed by the deputy provincial governor, the Korean Ambassador to Thailand, representatives of soldiers participating in the Korean War and heads of government units.

Thailand, as a United Nations member, was the first country to respond to the UN call for members’ assistance in repelling North Korean forces which invaded South Korea in June 1950. Thai troops were sent to South Korea on October 22, the same year. The date has therefore been observed as the Korean War Veterans Day for Thailand. During the three years leading to the armistice in 1953, a total of 136 Thai soldiers were killed. They were broken down into 130 officers from the Army, four from the Navy and two from the Air Force.