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HM the Queen's 48th Birthday Celebrated with 21-Gun Salutes Across Bangkok
On 3 June 2026, Thailand marked HM the Queen's 48th birthday with ceremonies across Bangkok and beyond. The occasion carried extra significance as her fourth-cycle birthday anniversary, a milestone that repeats every 12 years in Thai tradition. Celebrations included alms-giving at dawn, and all three armed services firing simultaneous 21-gun salutes at noon from separate locations around the capital.
The 21-Gun Salutes
At noon, the Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy, and Royal Thai Air Force each fired 21-gun salutes at the same time from three different Bangkok locations.
The Royal Thai Army's 1st Artillery Battalion, 1st Artillery Regiment, King's Guard, fired their salute at Sanam Luang in downtown Bangkok. The Royal Thai Navy held their salute at Wichai Prasit Fort in the Bangkok Yai district, with the 1st King's Guard Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, Marine Division, Naval Infantry Command firing 21 blank rounds from a 76/40mm artillery piece. The Royal Thai Air Force used the Aviation Park at Don Muang air base, with the King's Guard Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, Air Force Civil Affairs Command carrying out the ceremony.
In Thailand, 21-gun salutes are reserved for specific occasions: royal birthday celebrations, Coronation Day, and state visits by monarchs or heads of state.
Morning Alms-Giving Ceremony
Earlier in the day, at 7:00am at Sanam Luang, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presided over an alms-giving ceremony alongside his wife Thananon Charnvirakul. A total of 149 Buddhist monks received alms at the event.
Ceremonies also took place outside the capital. In Phitsanulok, provincial governor Kiartisak Trongsiri led local officials and residents in a ceremony at the provincial hall.
What to Expect if You're Visiting
If you're in Bangkok around this kind of event, keep in mind that Sanam Luang draws large crowds and may have temporary access restrictions. The Bangkok Yai district around Wichai Prasit Fort can also see localized activity. Don Muang air base is not a tourist area, so no impact is expected there.
Royal ceremonies of this scale often mean government offices are closed and transport can be affected in central areas. With the fourth-cycle birthday making this a particularly significant occasion, temples and public spaces around the country may be busier than usual, and alms-giving processions can appear in many cities and provinces.
Information sourced from Bangkok Post.