Assistant Professor Dr. Padungsak Suksas-ard, Vice President of Walailak University, along with university personnel, participated in the wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the heroes of Thailand in 1941 (2484 BE) on Thai Veterans Day 2024. The ceremony honored the sacrifices of soldiers and youth soldiers in southern Thailand who gave their lives to defend the nation’s independence and sovereignty during the Greater East Asia War (part of World War II), when invading forces landed in southern Thailand on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
The ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant General Paisan Nusang, Commander of the 4th Army Area, representing the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army. High-ranking officials from the 4th Army Area, Mr. Chawakij Suwannakhiri, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Police Colonel Suthas Songsayam, Deputy Commander of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Police, heads of government and private agencies, relatives of war heroes from World War II, veterans, commanders within Wachirawut Camp, personnel of the 4th Army Area, and over 1,000 members of the public attended the ceremony at the 1941 Thai Veterans Memorial (Anusawari Wirathai 2484) in Wachirawut Camp, Mueang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
The history of Thai Veterans Day dates back to World War II. On December 8, 1941, Japanese troops landed at Ban Tha Phae, and Thai soldiers fought in defense, leading to fierce hand-to-hand combat at the present site of the 1941 Thai Veterans Memorial. At that time, the Royal Thai Armed Forces suffered the loss of over 100 soldiers and youth soldiers who fought in Pattani, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces. Their names are inscribed on all six sides of the memorial’s base. In remembrance of the heroism of these soldiers who sacrificed their lives to fight against the enemy and protect their homeland, Thai people from all walks of life built the 1941 Thai Veterans Memorial, also known locally as “Pho Cha Dam” or “the Thai Veterans Memorial.” It stands proudly on the very ground where they fought to defend Thai territory. This year, the 4th Army Area organized a grand ceremony with 5 days and 5 nights of festivities from December 8-12, 2024.
