1.
MS. Sarit Thanarat, C-in-C and Prime Minister.
5 ft

2.
MS. V.I.P. stand.
9 1/2 ft

3.
MS Sarit inspects troops.
17 1/2 ft

4.
MS Foreign military attaches.
19 1/2 ft

5.
MS Standard bearers of army units.
22 ft

6.
PAN..Men and women graduates.
27 ft

7.
MS Sarit speaking.
30 ft

8.
CU Military attache.
32 ft

9.
MS Thai officers saluting.
35 ft

10.
LS March past.
38 ft

11.
MS Ditto.
41 ft

12.
MS Buddhist Priest blessing soldiers.
46 ft



Initials TDH/PB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Thousands of people and members of the Diplomatic Corps in Bangkok crowded the Royal Plaza November 8 to watch the annual trooping of colours, led by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, who is both Supreme Commander of Armed Forces and Prime Minister of Thailand.

Field Marshal Sarit, wearing full dress uniform, arrived at the ceremony in a black Cadillac, and later inspected the troops from a jeep.

Flags of Army, Navy and Air Force were raised and the band played Maharirks March. High light of the programme was provided by the guard of honour.

Prominent among troops were fresh graduates, both men and women, of the armed forces, who took oaths of loyalty and service to the country.

Marshal Sarit urged the troops and officers to keep clear of politics and corruption, and told them that his government's only desire was to "achieve happiness for each and every one" of the Thailand people.

As the troops marched away Buddhist Priests blessed them with holy water.