Honouring heroes: Yacht club hosts D-Day anniversary

In a moving tribute against the backdrop of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya, a ceremony commemorated the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

The Royal British Legion Thailand orchestrated the event, held with the gracious permission of the Yacht Club’s Commodore and staff, and generously supported by various sponsors. Father David Price delivered a poignant sermon on the Act of Remembrance, setting the tone for the ceremony.

Attendees were privileged to hear from HE Mark Gooding OBE, Ambassador to Thailand, and Aswin Techajeonvikul, Honorary Patron of the British Legion Thailand. They shared stirring accounts of the historic June 6, 1944, invasion, famously termed the Great Adventure by General Eisenhower. This monumental operation marked the largest seaborne assault in history and began the Allied liberation of Western Europe, leading to the defeat of Axis forces in France within three months and setting the stage for advances toward Paris and beyond.

The Normandy invasion wasn’t just about the iconic beach landings. The brutal conflict extended into the orchards, hedgerows, and dense woodlands of Northern France, where Allied troops fought fiercely, supported by formidable sea and air power. This gruelling campaign bore echoes of World War I’s Battle of the Somme, showcasing the relentless attrition faced by the soldiers, reported Pattaya Mail.

In related news, in a poignant gathering to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the Black May protests, politicians, academics, activists, and relatives of those killed in the 1992 crackdown honoured the fallen democracy heroes.

The Black May 1992 Memorial on Ratchadamnoen Avenue was the site of a solemn ceremony and merit-making rituals for the deceased yesterday. Officially, 44 lives were lost, though the true toll is believed to be much higher, with many protesters still unaccounted for.

In other news, Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn bestowed the prestigious Chula Chom Klao Order and the Rattanaporn Medal on 59 individuals. Among the recipients, Prayut Chan-o-cha received the special First Class of the Chula Chom Klao Order.