Bangkok: The Royal Thai Navy fired a royal salute to honor Her Majesty the Queen Mother on the occasion of her birthday, August 12, 2025. The ceremony took place at Wichaiprasit Fort within the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters in the Old Palace, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok.

According to Thai News Agency, the 1st Infantry Battalion, King’s Guard, 1st Infantry Regiment, Marine Division, Marine Corps Headquarters, conducted the 21-gun royal salute to honor Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. Salutes are a longstanding tradition worldwide, demonstrating respect through the firing of cannons loaded with black or smokeless powder, with the number of rounds reflecting the honor.

The term ‘Salute’ originates from the Latin word ‘Salutio’. In Thailand, the tradition began at Fort Wichaiyen during the reign of King Narai the Great. Historical accounts from French chronicles describe the first salute at this fort, involving the French warship Levoutour. Permission was granted by King Narai for a salute to honor the Siamese nation, a practice which was later abolished under King Phetracha but revived during King Mongkut’s reign in 1855.

Further regulations on salutes emerged in 1905 under King Chulalongkorn, establishing guidelines for royal and governmental salutes. King Rama VI later introduced a Royal Decree in 1912, categorizing salutes into three types, including ordinary and special royal salutes.

The practice was temporarily halted in 1940 but reinstated post-World War II, with the first modern salute taking place on December 5, 1948, to honor King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Current regulations specify a 21-gun salute for royal and state ceremonies, with varying salutes for different ranks of officials and dignitaries.