His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to visit the 11th Infantry Regiment of the King's Guard, Royal Thai Armed Forces in Don Mueang, Bangkok yesterday.

Present to greet His Majesty upon arrival was General Tanasak Patimapragorn, the Chief of Defence Force for the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

Shortly after arriving, His Majesty consented to ascend onto the Special Dais for a Royal Salute, before the regiment's military band played the National Anthem of Brunei Darussalam.

His Majesty then inspected the Royal Guard of Honour mounted by the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Air Force.

The monarch was then introduced to high-ranking officials of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, before His Majesty consented to tour a static display at the aircraft hangar.

His Majesty proceeded to a multi-purpose open area to observe a number of demonstrations by personnel of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

The demonstrations included a number of displays of the Armed Forces' military capability in handling various scenarios, such as the escorting of VVIPs, and the Queen's Guard's ability to adapt in differing combat situations while riding motorcycles.Also demonstrated was the way in which the Armed Forces make use of hand-to-hand combat, which the commentator announced was influenced by Muay Thai.

His Majesty also consented to receive pesambahs presented respectively by the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army; Commanding Officer of the Special Operations Squadron, Special Warfare Command; Commanding General of Counter Terrorist Operation Centre; Commanding Officer of the 11th Infantry Regiment, King's Guards; and the Commanding Officer of the of the 21st Infantry Regiment, Queen's Guards.

The monarch then consented to present souvenirs to the Chief of Defence Forces, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army as well as the Commanding Officers.

His Majesty also consented to sign the Visitor's Book and for a group photo with high-ranking military officials and personnel of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

Present to accompany His Majesty yesterday was Arak Chonlatanond, Thailand's Minister of Energy and the Minister in Attendance.

Also accompanying His Majesty during the visit were Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdul Rahman bin Hj Ibrahim, the Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister's Office; and Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Awg Lim Jock Seng, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; as well as Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Hj Abidin, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and other senior officials. - Borneo Bulletin (3 July 2012)