Royal Thai Army

The Royal Thai Army or RTA (Thai: กองทัพบกไทย; RTGS: kong thap bok thai) is the army of Thailand and the oldest and largest branch of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

Royal Thai Army
กองทัพบกไทย
Emblem of the Royal Thai Army
Founded	8 May 1874 (151 years)
Country	Thailand
Type	Army
Role	Land warfare
Size	245,000
Part of	Royal Thai Armed Forces
HQ	Royal Thai Army Headquarters, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Nickname	"ทบ." "Thor Bor" Abbreviation of Army
Mottos	เพื่อชาติ ศาสน์ กษัตริย์ และประชาชน ("For the Nation, Religion, Monarchy, and People")
Colours	Red and yellow
March	มาร์ชกองทัพบก (Army March)
Anniversaries	18 January (Royal Thai Armed Forces Day)
Website	rta.mi.th
Commanders
Commander-in-chief	General Phana Khlaeoplotthuk
Insignia
Royal Thai Army Flag
Unit colour
Aircraft symbol

History

Origin

The Royal Thai Army is responsible for protecting the kingdom's sovereignty. The army was formed in 1874, partly as a response to new security threats following the 1855 Bowring Treaty with United Kingdom, which opened the country for international trade.

Current

In modern era, the army has a long history of coups d'état and coup attempts. Its leadership continues to see coup-making as one role of the army.

On 22 May 2014 the army deposed the government, appointed military officers to the national assembly, and on 21 August 2014 they elected the army's Commander in Chief, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, as prime minister. The general retired October 2014 to concentrate on political reform which he said would take at least a year, following which he promised national elections would be held.

The existence of an information warfare unit participating in a cyber campaign against government critics was leaked to the public in late February 2020. In 2020 Twitter shut down a network of accounts which were engaged in information warfare. According to Twitter "Our investigation uncovered a network of accounts partaking in information operations that we can reliably link to the Royal Thai Army (RTA)." The operation had targeted the political opposition within Thailand. The Thai Army denied that they had been involved in the disinformation operation.

Army components and control

The number of army generals is unclear. One point of comparison: as of 1 November 2019, the US Army had 322 general officers^: 2 for a force of 471,990 troops. Saiyud Kerdphol is Thailand's oldest general, a veteran of World War II and Korea who retired in 1983 as supreme commander. During his tenure, general officer numbers were based on the number of troops under their command. As of 2019^[update], only 150–200 four-star generals occupy command positions. Speaking on the topic of army manpower, Saiyud declared that, "Everybody being a general is unbelievable. Full generals don't have a seat to sit in or a job to do."

Command and control

The commanders-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army (ผู้บัญชาการทหารบกไทย) is considered the most powerful position in the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Since 1 October 2024, the commander-in-chief has been General Phana Khlaeoplotthuk.

Commander-in-Chief: General Phana Khlaeoplotthuk since 1 October 2024
Deputy Commander-in-Chief: General Nattawut Nakanakorn since 1 October 2024
Chairman of the Royal Thai Army Advisory Board: General Ekkarat Changkaew since 1 October 2024
Assistant Commander-in-Chief: General Wasu Jiamsuk since 1 October 2024
Assistant Commander-in-Chief: General Chitsanupong Rodsiri since 1 October 2024
Chief of Staff of the Army: General Thongchai Rodyoi since 1 October 2024
Commander of the 1st Army Area: Lieutenant General Amrit Boonsuya since 1 October 2024
Commander of the 2nd Army Area: Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang since 1 October 2024
Commander of the 3rd Army Area: Lieutenant General Kittipong Chaemsuwan since 1 October 2024
Commander of the 4th Army Area: Lieutenant General Paisan Nusang since 1 October 2024
Commander of the Royal Thai Army Special Warfare Command: Lieutenant General Narongrit Kamphira since 1 October 2024

Structure

The army is organized nationally into four army areas:

1st Army Area

1st Division, King's Guard

2nd Cavalry Division

Component	Corps	Mission
Combat Component	Infantry Corps	Its duty is to conduct combat operations using the firepower of its personal weapons to seize territory and destroy the enemy. It has the capability to move independently without relying heavily on vehicles and is considered the branch with the largest number of soldiers. It is known by the title “Queen of the Battlefield.” The insignia features crossed rifles with a cartridge belt. Its corps colour is White.
Combat Component	Cavalry Corps	It conducts combat operations primarily using tanks and fast-moving vehicles, employing firepower to destroy and intimidate the enemy. It is an important combat branch and serves as one of the Army’s main fighting forces, alongside the infantry. The insignia features crossed sabers with a horseshoe and a tank. Its corps colour is Dull Blue.
Combat Support Component	Artillery Corps	It conducts combat using artillery firepower to destroy enemy strongpoints and to support infantry assaults. It also provides direct fire support and shields the infantry during attacks to enable their operations. It is nicknamed the “King of the Battlefield.” The insignia features crossed cannons with a flaming grenade. Its corps colour is Yellow.
	Engineer Corps	Its duties include constructing, modifying, and repairing roads and bridges. In addition, combat engineers can fight alongside infantry units during assaults on enemy fortifications or heavily reinforced positions. The insignia features a crossed shovel and axe with an anchor. Its corps colour is Black.
	Signal Corps	Its duty is to provide communications within and between units to support commanders and staff operations. It is also responsible for the procurement, distribution, and maintenance of communications equipment. The insignia features a lightning bolt with a cogwheel. Its corps colour is Violet or directly translated from Thai as "Mango Purple Seed".
	Intelligence Corps	Its duties include planning, directing, coordinating, supervising, and conducting intelligence and security operations, as well as preparing military intelligence personnel for assignments. The insignia features a crossed lightning bolt and arrow with an eight-pointed star on a shield. It appears to have no corps colours.
Combat Auxiliary Component	Ordnance Corps	Its duties include researching and developing weapons and military equipment, as well as inspecting, storing, maintaining, advising on, and repairing various weapons to ensure they remain operational at all times. The insignia features a flaming grenade. Its corps colour is Orange and Green.
	Quartermaster Corps	Its duties are to sustain and support military units by ensuring they are adequately provided with essential supplies and consumables. It is also responsible for replenishment, logistics support, storage, and distribution of unit supplies. The insignia features crossed sabers with three cogwheels. It appears to have no corps colours.
	Medical Corps	Its duties are to provide medical care and conduct medical operations during both peacetime and wartime. In wartime, it operates alongside infantry units on the front lines by providing first aid and evacuating the wounded from the battlefield to field hospitals. The insignia features a pair of intertwined nagas serpents around a flaming torch. It appears to have no corps colours.
	Transport Corps	Its duties are to transport personnel and supplies for various Army units and other assigned organizations by land, water (inland waterways), and air. It is also responsible for overseeing all transportation operations within the Army. The insignia features a ship's wheel combined with a cogwheel and wings on a shield. It appears to have no corps colours.
Combat Service Support Component	Adjutant General Corps	Has duties in administrative operations, including the receipt, dispatch, and sorting of official documents; the appointment, promotion, demotion, dismissal, and transfer of personnel; matters relating to pensions, gratuities, and disciplinary actions; maintaining records of correspondence, military service affairs, and other related duties. The insignia features a sword and a quill crossed together, with a book placed at the center of the emblem. It appears to have no corps colours.
	Finance Corps	Has duties in disbursing salaries, allowances, and various expenses, as well as supervising the expenditures of the military unit to ensure compliance with military rules and regulations. The insignia features crossed swords combined with Erawan, a three-headed elephant. It appears to have no corps colours.
	Judge Advocate General Corps	Has duties in enforcing military laws and regulations, as well as carrying out all judicial processes involving individuals, soldiers, or military units. The insignia features the scales of justice combined with a chakra wheel. It appears to have no corps colours.
	Survey Corps	Has duties in preparing maps of various local areas for military units to use in movement and strategic operations, as well as surveying routes and updating map details to accurately reflect the actual terrain at all times. The insignia features crossed swords combined with a surveying telescope. It appears to have no corps colours.
	Veterinarian Corps	Has duties in supporting military operations through the use of animals and agricultural activities of the Army, including planning, directing, and coordinating matters related to the affairs and equipment of the Army's Animal Service Corps. The insignia features crossed naga (serpents) combined with a horseshoe. It appears to have no corps colours.
	Band Corps	Has duties in providing entertainment to relieve stress among soldiers and military units, boosting morale and inspiring soldiers through music so that they remain motivated, proud of their warrior's honor, and steadfast in performing their duties. The insignia features a harp (lyre). It appears to have no corps colours.
	Military Police Corps	Has duties related to maintaining discipline, arresting soldiers who commit offenses, overseeing military prisons and traffic within military operations, ensuring security, conducting criminal investigations under military court jurisdiction, preventing and researching crimes within the Army, and managing matters concerning missing soldiers and prisoners of war. The insignia features crossed pistols combined with a chakra wheel. It appears to have no corps colours.

Military district number	Provinces under control	Headquarters location
11	Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan	Laksi, Bangkok
12	Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao	Fort Chakraphong, Prachinburi
13	Lopburi, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong	Fort King Narai Maharat, Lopburi
14	Chonburi, Rayong	Fort Nawaminthrachini, Chonburi
15	Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan	Fort Ramratchaniwet, Phetchaburi
16	Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon	Fort Phanurangsi, Ratchaburi
17	Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri	Fort Surasi, Kanchanaburi
18	Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya	Fort Adisorn, Saraburi
19	Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Trat	Fort Surasinghanat, Sa Kaeo
21	Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum	Fort Suranari, Nakhon Ratchasima
22	Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen	Fort Sapphasitthiprasong, Ubon Ratchathani
23	Khon Kaen, Kalasin	Fort Sripatcharin, Khon Kaen
24	Udon Thani, Nong Khai	Fort Prachaksinlapakhom, Udon Thani
25	Surin, Sisaket	Fort Weerawatyothin, Surin
26	Buriram, Maha Sarakham	Fort Somdej Chao Phraya Kasatsuek, Buriram
27	Roi Et, Yasothon	Fort Prasertsongkhram, Roi Et
28	Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu	Fort Srisongrak, Loei
29	Sakon Nakhon, Bueng Kan	Fort Kritsiwara, Sakon Nakhon
210	Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan	Fort Phra Yod Mueang Khwang, Nakhon Phanom
31	Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani	Fort Chiraprawat, Nakhon Sawan
32	Lampang	Fort Surasak Montri, Lampang
33	Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Lamphun	Fort Kawila, Chiang Mai
34	Phayao	Fort Khun Chueang Thammikkarat, Phayao
35	Uttaradit, Phrae	Fort Phichai Dabhak, Uttaradit
36	Phetchabun, Phichit	Fort Phokhun Pha Mueang, Phetchabun
37	Chiang Rai	Fort King Mengrai Maharat, Chiang Rai
38	Nan	Fort Suriyaphong, Nan
39	Phitsanulok, Sukhothai	Fort King Naresuan Maharat, Phitsanulok
310	Tak	Fort Wachiraprakan, Tak
41	Nakhon Si Thammarat (except Thung Song District), Phuket	Fort Vajiravudh, Nakhon Si Thammarat
42	Songkhla, Phatthalung, Satun	Fort Senanarong, Songkhla
43	Nakhon Si Thammarat (only Thung Song District), Krabi, Trang	Fort Thep Satri Srisunthorn, Nakhon Si Thammarat
44	Chumphon, Ranong	Fort Khet Udomsak, Chumphon
45	Surat Thani, Phang Nga	Fort Vibhavadi Rangsit, Surat Thani
46	Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala	Fort Ingkhayutthaborihan, Pattani

Rank group	General / flag officers										Senior officers						Junior officers
Royal Thai Army v t e
Royal Thai Army v t e	จอมพล Chom phon		พลเอก Phon ek		พลโท Phon tho		พลตรี Phon tri				พันเอก Phan ek		พันโท Phan tho		พันตรี Phan tri		ร้อยเอก Roi ek		ร้อยโท Roi tho			ร้อยตรี Roi tri

Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted
Royal Thai Army v t e																																			No insignia
Royal Thai Army v t e	จ่าสิบเอก Cha sip ek						จ่าสิบโท Cha sip tho		จ่าสิบตรี Cha sip tri								สิบเอก Sip ek						สิบโท Sip tho				สิบตรี Sip tri								พลทหาร Phon thahan

Royal Thai Army

History

Origin

Current

Army components and control

Command and control

Structure

Formations

Tactical units

Army Medical Department

Air Division

Military districts

Budget

List of military engagements

Equipment

Rank structure

Businesses and infrastructure

Broadcasting

Radio and television channel list

Free-to-air TV

Satellite TV

Radio

See also