Anniversary of royal footprint
The Army will today commemorate the 24th anniversary of His Majesty the King's footprint that was made in the spirit of reconciliation after the communist rebels gave up their arms and returned to the fold.
A plaster cast of the original was made during a royal visit to the 453th Infantry Battalion in this northern province to lift the morale of soldiers and residents. The 17th Infantry Division of the battalion has built a pavilion to give "the royal footprint of peace" a permanent home. The foundation stone was laid by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on February 27. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the King's accession to the throne and his 80th birthday next year, the Army and Chiang Rai provincial authorities have erected a monument to the brave and will install the royal footprint in it today. The monument honours the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the civil war against the communist insurgents in the 1960s-80s. The Army will install the replica of the royal footprint on top of Doi Yod hill in Muang district and open the area to the public, as it is easier to access than the camp. His Majesty travelled widely in the war zone to support soldiers and locals in the struggle with the communists. Peace was restored in 1982.
Kunlaphun Siripimamporn The Nation Chiang Rai
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