Royal Thai Army

Royal Thai Army
กองทัพบกไทย

Emblem of the Royal Thai Army
Active 8 May 1874 (142 years)
Country Thailand
Allegiance King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand
Type Army
Size 190,000 (Estimated)[1]
Part of Royal Thai Armed Forces
HQ Royal Thai Army Headquarters, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok
Motto(s) เพื่อชาติ ศาสน์ กษัตริย์ และประชาชน ("For the Nation, Religions, King, and People")
Colours Red
March มาร์ชกองทัพบก
(Army March)
Anniversaries 18 January
(Royal Thai Armed Forces Day)
Engagements Haw wars
Franco-Siamese War
World War I
Franco-Thai War
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Vietnamese border raids in Thailand
Thai–Laotian Border War
Iraq War
South Thailand insurgency
Cambodian–Thai border stand-off
2008–2010 Thai political crisis
Commanders
Commander-in-chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart[2]
Notable
commanders		 Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena
Plaek Pibulsonggram
Sarit Dhanarajata
Thanom Kittikachorn
Prem Tinsulanonda
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Suchinda Kraprayoon
Surayud Chulanont
Sonthi Boonyaratglin
Prayut Chan-o-cha
Insignia
Royal Thai Army Flag
Unit Colour

The Royal Thai Army or RTA (Thai: กองทัพบกไทย; rtgs: Kong Thap Bok Thai) is the army of Thailand responsible for protecting its sovereignty. It is the oldest and largest branch of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

History

Origin

The Siamese Expeditionary Force in Paris, 1919.

The Royal Thai Army is responsible for protecting the kingdom's sovereignty. It is the oldest and largest branch of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. The army was formed in 1874, partly as a response to new security threats following the 1855 Bowring Treaty with Britain, which opened the country for international trade.[3]

Current

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[4] to concentrate on political reform which he said would take at least a year, following which he promised national elections would be held.[5]

Observers have noted a power struggle in 2016 between competing camps of the Thai army and their support of competing heirs to the throne. The intra-military conflict is the division between the Queen's Guard Regiment, which supports Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, while other influential royalists and King's Guard soldiers prefer the king's second daughter, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.[6]

Infrastructure

On 24 December 2015 the RTA broke ground for a new auditorium, formally called the "Royal Thai Army International Forum". The 2.3 billion baht (US$64 million) facility will replace an existing 58 year-old auditorium. The building is due to be completed in 2019. The ground floor auditorium will accommodate 500 people, an office, a press room, and a reception hall. The first floor will include a party room for 500 people. The second floor will hold a second auditorium for 3,000 people and a reception hall. The basement car park is designed to accommodate 400 vehicles.[7]

Command and control

Royal Thai Armed Forces M60A1 battle tanks manoeuvre to an objective during a combined arms live fire exercise at a training centre in Ban Chan Krem, Thailand, 21 February 2014.
Royal Thai Army firing M198 howitzer during training in Lopburi, Thailand June 2016

The Royal Thai Army is commanded by the Commander of the Royal Thai Army (ผู้บัญชาการทหารบกไทย). The current commander is General Chalermchai Sitthisart, who was confirmed by royal appointment to take over the top post in 2016.[8] The Royal Thai Army headquarters is on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road in Bangkok, Thailand.

A regiment (the "Queen's Cobras") and later a division, then a brigade, served in South Vietnam from September 1967 to March 1972.[9]

List of commanders

Structure

First Army
Second Army,
3rd Infantry Division
Third Army,
4th Infantry Division
Fourth Army
2nd Infantry Division
9th Infantry Division
11th Infantry Division
6th Infantry Division
7th Infantry Division
5th Infantry Division
15th Infantry Division
Locations of the army's major units in Thailand

The Royal Thai Army today is divided into four army areas:

First Army
1st Division,
3rd Cavalry Division,
1st Cavalry Division
2nd Cavalry Division
Locations of the army's major units in Bangkok

The creation of the 15th Infantry Division was announced in January 2005.[11] Defence Minister, General Samphan Boonyanan, was quoted as saying that the new unit, dubbed the "Development Division", would not be a combat unit for fighting Islamic militants, but rather its main mission would be to assist local citizens and develop the region. The military will not ignore its general function of providing safety for the citizens of the region, he added. He said that troops for the new division would undergo training to give them a good understanding of local residents, the vast majority of whom are ethnic Malay Muslims. The division is in fact a transformation of the Pranburi-based 16th Infantry Division. It will now be headquartered at Ingkhayuthaborihan Camp in Pattani, complete with its battalions and companies of military police and communications and aviation personnel, he said. It will also have three separate infantry battalions, one each in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Each battalion will include three companies of medical, engineering, and psychological warfare personnel, he said. The government will allocate a budget of more than 18 billion baht for the division over the next four years.[12]

The International Crisis Group wrote in 2010 that "...the 15th Infantry Division is being established as a permanent force to handle security problems in the Deep South. The division is based in Pattani and is expected to have a combined force of around 10,000. The establishment of this new division, approved by the government in 2005, has yet to be completed. As of this writing, some 7,000 troops deployed in the Deep South are affiliated to this division."[13]

Jane's Defence Weekly for 15 August 2012 said that two new combat formations had been approved by the previous Pheu Thai administration. The new 7th Infantry Division is based at Mae Rim, near Chiang Mai, and the new 3rd Cavalry Division is based at Khon Kaen.[14]

King's Guard from 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Own Bodyguards in the Royal Funeral of Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda

The King's Guard form several separate regiments within these formations.

Tactical units

Thai and US Army troops practice tactical manoeuvres during exercise Cobra Gold 2006 in Lopburi.

The army is organised into the following formations:

The Royal Thai Army controls at least one television network, the Thai Global Network.

The Army Tactical Level Advanced Simulation (ATLAS) is an interactive, distributed, constructive simulation used to conduct military Command Post Exercises (CPX). ATLAS displays a continuous terrain model, incorporates HLA 1516, and displays 1:250,000 and 1:50,000 maps and satellite imagery. ATLAS was developed between 2002–2005 through co-operation with the Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC).

Army Medical Department

Army Medical Department (AMED) (กรมแพทย์ทหารบก) belongs to the service segment of the Royal Thai Army. It is responsible for medical affairs, providing medical services at its regular base or in the field, giving training to personnel in research and agriculture and supervising the medical divisions of different sectors of the Royal Thai Army. AMED observed 111 years of service in January 2011,[15] with 110 years of service having been honoured by issue of a series of commemorative stamps.[16]

Air Division

UH-60L Black Hawk during air show at Don Mueang Air Force Base
Mil Mi-17 V5 during air show at Don Mueang Air Force Base

Royal Thai Army Air Division (กองบินทหารบกไทย) belongs to the service segment of the Royal Thai Army Areas:

UH-60L Black Hawk during air show at Don Mueang Air Force Base
AH-1F Cobra attack helicopter during air show at Don Mueang Air Force Base

Lopburi, the main base complex of Royal Thai Army Aviation, including training, technical school, aircraft maintenance, and aircraft storage.

A separate airfield within the Lopburi complex (around 3 km south of Sa Pran Nak) houses the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Company. This unit is responsible for maintenance and storage of army aircraft and helicopters.

Rank structure

Equivalent
NATO Code 		OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 Cadet Officer
Officer
ranks
จอมพล พลเอก พลโท พลตรี พลจัตวา1 พันเอก พันโท พันตรี ร้อยเอก ร้อยโท ร้อยตรี นักเรียนนายร้อย
Field Marshal General Lieutenant General Major General Brigadier1 Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain First Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Cadet Officer
Equivalent
NATO Code 		OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
Enlisted
ranks		 No insignia
จ่าสิบเอกพิเศษ จ่าสิบเอก จ่าสิบโท จ่าสิบตรี สิบเอก สิบโท สิบตรี สิบตรีกองประจำการ พลทหาร
Sergeant Major Master Sergeant Sergeant 1st Class Staff Sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal Private
1st Class		 Private

Equipment

Infantry weapons

Small arms

Photo Model Type Caliber Origin Notes
Pistols
 M1911 Semi-automatic pistol .45 ACP  US
 Thailand 		Thai M1911A1 pistols produced under license; locally known as the Type 86 pistol (ปพ.86).
Heckler & Koch USP Semi-automatic pistol .45ACP  Germany Used by special forces.
 Beretta 92 Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum  Italy
Shotguns
 Remington Model 870 Shotgun 12 gauge  US
Franchi SPAS-12 Shotgun 12 gauge  Italy
Submachine guns
 Heckler & Koch MP5 Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum  Germany Used by special forces.
 UZI Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum  Israel Used by military police.
 Heckler & Koch UMP Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum  Germany UMP9 submachine guns used by special forces.
 FN P90 Submachine gun 5.7x28mm  Belgium FN P90 submachine guns used by special forces.
Assault rifles
 IMI Tavor TAR-21 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  Israel Standard infantry rifle. Replaced M16A1, 106,203 Tavors on order. Present 73,000+ Tavor/X95 in service [17][18]
 M16A1/A2/A4 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  US Standard infantry rifle. Aging M16A1 will be replaced by IMI Tavor TAR-21 and M16A4.
Heckler & Koch HK33 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  Germany
 Thailand 		Thai license produced version of the Heckler & Koch HK33. Used by Royal Thai Armed Forces and Army Reserve Force Students.
Type 11 assault rifle Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  Thailand The Type 11 (ปลย.11) is a bullpup assault rifle of Thai origin, manufactured by the Ministry of National Defence. The weapon is a derivative of the Heckler & Koch HK33 assault rifle.
 Steyr AUG Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  Austria Used by special forces.
 Heckler & Koch G36 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  Germany Used by special forces.
 SAR 21 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  Singapore Used by special forces.
 AK-102 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  Russia Used by special forces.
 IMI Galil Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  Israel Used in small numbers.
 Type 56/56-1 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm  China Used in small numbers mainly by the Thahan Phran. Former Thai Communist rifle.
 M4A1 Carbine Carbine 5.56×45mm NATO  US Used by special forces, some equipped with SOPMOD kit.
 CAR-15 Carbine 5.56×45mm NATO  US
Semi-automatic rifles
 M1 Garand Semi-automatic rifle .30-06 Springfield  US Locally known as the Type 88 self-loading rifle (ปลยบ.88). Used by King's Guards and by Army Reserve Force Students as a non-firing training rifle.
 M1/M2 Carbine Semi-automatic rifle .30 Carbine  US Locally known as the Type 87 carbine (ปสบ. 87). Used by Army Reserve Force Students as a non-firing training rifle.
Sniper rifle and Marksman rifles
 SIG Sauer SSG 3000 Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm NATO   Switzerland
SR-25 Marksman rifle 7.62×51mm NATO  US
M14 rifle Marksman rifle 7.62×51mm NATO  US
Machine guns
 FN MINIMI Light machine gun 5.56×45mm NATO  Belgium
IMI Negev Light machine gun 5.56×45mm NATO  Israel Over 2,000 purchased. Delivery is ongoing.[19]
 Heckler & Koch HK21 Light machine gun 5.56×45mm NATO  Germany
Type 56 LMG Light machine gun 7.62×39mm  China Used in small numbers mainly by the Thahan Phran. Former Thai Communist machine gun.
 FN MAG-58 General purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO  Belgium
M60 General purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO  US
M2 Browning machine gun Heavy machine gun .50 BMG  US Locally known as Type 93 machine gun (ปก.93). Use by infantry units and mobile vehicles and helicopters.
 Type 54 HMG Heavy machine gun 12.7×108mm  China Mounted on Type 69 and small number of V-150.

Grenades, rockets, and MANPADS

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
Grenade launchers
 M203 grenade launcher Underbarrel grenade launcher  US
Beretta GLX160 Underbarrel grenade launcher  Italy
M79 grenade launcher Single-shot grenade launcher  US
BTS-203 Single-shot grenade launcher  Thailand Used in small numbers by Army Reserve Force Students as a non-firing training grenade launcher.
 Mk 19 grenade launcher Automatic grenade launcher  US
Anti-Tank
 M72 LAW Anti-tank rocket launcher  US
M47 Dragon Anti-tank guided missile 500  US
BGM-71 TOW Anti-tank guided missile  US
RPG-2 Rocket-propelled grenade  China Used in small numbers mainly by the Thahan Phran. Former Thai Communist shoulder-fired missile .
 Type 69 RPG Rocket-propelled grenade  China Used in small numbers mainly by the Thahan Phran. Former Thai Communist shoulder-fired missile .
 Carl Gustav recoilless rifle Recoilless rifle  Sweden
M40 recoilless rifle Recoilless rifle  US Mounted on M151 utility vehicles.
Anti-Aircraft
 9K38 Igla-S Man-portable air-defence system 48  Russia Part of order placed in 2010.[20]
HN-5A Man-portable air-defence system 90  China [20]

Vehicles

Armoured fighting vehicles

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
Tanks
 T-84 Oplot-M Main Battle Tank 20 (+29)[21][22]  Ukraine Up to 200 may be acquired. The first order of 49 tanks was placed in Sep 2011 although there are no official announcements from the Royal Thai Army. The government has approved 7.2 billion baht to purchase the first 49 T-84 Oplot main battle tanks to be assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Bn (Royal Guard at Fort Chakkraphongse, Prachinburi), the 4th Cavalry Bn (Royal Guard at Kiakkai, Bangkok), the 8th Cavalry Bn (Fort Suranari, Nakhon Ratchasima), and the 9th Cavalry Bn (Fort Ekathotsarot, Phitsanulok). Five to be delivered on 5 February 2014, 20 will be delivered in early-2015.[21][23]
 VT-4 Main battle tank 0 (+28)  China Up to 150 may be acquired.[24] The RTA has signed an agreement with China to procure the VT-4 main battle tank (MBT), features an initial 28 units, with deliveries expected to commence before the end of 2016 and conclude within two years. The deal, thought to be valued at about USD150 million. If the first batch of deliveries is successful, sources indicated the RTA would look to procure additional VT-4s as it seeks to meet a long-standing requirement for up to 150 MBTs.[25]
 M60A1/A3 Patton Main battle tank 53 A1
125 A3		  US Ex–US Army 53 M60A1 RISE Passive and 125 M60A3 TTS.
M48A5 Patton Main battle tank 105  US
M41A3 Walker Bulldog Light tank 200  US Being replaced by the T-84 Oplot-M Main Battle Tanks.[26]
 FV101 Scorpion CVR(T) Light tank 128  UK
Stingray light tank Light tank 106  US
Armoured Vehicles
 BTR-3E1 Infantry fighting vehicle/Armoured personnel carrier 223 (+21)  Ukraine
 Thailand 		96 ordered in 2008. Deliveries delayed due to changes in engine and transmission. Additional six given by the Ukrainian Government. Second order of 121 announced in Aug 2011. Third order of 21 announced in August 2013.[27] Thai BTR-3E1 is produced under license.[28]
 Type 85 Armoured personnel carrier 396  China Variants include: APC, ACV,SPM 120mm, SPM 81mm, SPRL. Six are fitted with Type 82 multiple rocket launchers.
M113A1/A2/A3 Armoured personnel carrier 500+  US Overall there are 500+ M113s in different variants. 450+ of M113A1/A2/A3 are armoured personnel carriers. Six M113A2s are fitted with TOW 1 anti-tank missiles. twenty-three are M577 command vehicles. Ten M113A3s are recovery vehicles. Nine M113A3s are ambulances.
 V-150 Commando Armoured personnel carrier 113  US Variants include: 27 V-150s are armoured personnel carriers. Twenty-nine V-150s are 81mm mortar carriers. Fifty-six V-150s are fitted with 90mm turrets. One V-150 is an ambulance.
 V-100 Commando Armoured personnel carrier 19+  US
M901A3 ITV Tank destroyer 18  US
M106A1/A2 Mortar carrier Unknown  US Fitted with 107 mm M30 mortar and a 12.7 mm machine gun.
M125 Mortar carrier Unknown  US Fitted with 81 mm M29 mortar and a 12.7 mm machine gun.
 Humvee Light Armored Car/Light utility vehicle +1,200  US RTA use M998, M1038A1, M1097A1, M1037, M1042, M1025, M1026A1, M966, M997, M997A2.
 REVA 4x4 MKII Infantry mobility vehicle 85  South Africa Mine-protected vehicle.
 First Win 4x4 Infantry mobility vehicle 21 (+50)  Thailand Mine-protected vehicle.

Support vehicles

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
 M992 Ammunition resupply vehicle 20  US Used for resupplying the M109A5 howitzer.
FV105 Sultan Armored command vehicle Unknown  UK
Bronco ATTC Amphibious armoured vehicle Unknown  Singapore Troop carrier variant. Used by engineers.
Type 84 AVLB Armoured vehicle-launched bridge 4  China Based on the Type 69 MBT. 18 m long mobile bridge.
M881A1/A2 Hercules Armored recovery vehicle 22  US
Type 653 Armored recovery vehicle 16  China
FV106 Samson Armored recovery vehicle Unknown  UK
M578 LRV Armored recovery vehicle Unknown  US

Utility and logistical vehicles

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
Utility vehicles
M50,M51 Chaiprakarn Military light utility vehicle +2,200  Thailand
TR MUV4 Military light utility vehicle N/A  Thailand
M151 Military light utility vehicle +550  US RTA use M151A2, M718A1, M825.
 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Military light utility vehicle Unknown  Germany
Logistical vehicles
 M911 Tractor unit N/A  US
M813 Truck +500  US RTA use M54, M54A2, M51A1, M51A2, M52, M52A1, M52A2, M246, M543, M543A2, M813, M813A1, M820A2, M817, M818, M816.
 M35 2-1/2 ton cargo truck Truck +2,000  US RTA use M35, M35A1, M35A2, M50A2, M50A3, M49A1, M49A2, M109A3, M185A1, M292A2, M275, M36A2.
 Isuzu F-Series Truck +2,000  Japan
 Thailand 		RTA use Isuzu FTS 800 4x4, FTS 33 H2E 4x4.
 KrAZ-6322 Truck less than 50[29]  Ukraine
LMTV Truck +750  US RTA have four series of LMTV, M1083, M1085, M1088, and M1089.
 UNIMOG Truck +1,500  Germany RTA use U1100/L 4x4, U1550 4x4, U2450/L 6x6, U2405 6x6.

Artillery

Multiple rocket launchers, surface-to-air missiles, howitzers, mortars

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
Multiple rocket launchers
DTI-1G 400 mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher 3  Thailand
 China 		The DTI-1G is a multiple rocket launcher of Thai origin. The weapon is a derivative of the WS-32.
DTI-1 302 mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher 3  Thailand
 China 		The DTI-1 is a multiple rocket launcher of Thai origin. The weapon is a derivative of the WS-1B.
Type 82 130 mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher 6  China Mounted on Type 85 hulls.
SR4 122 mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher 4  China
Surface-to-air missiles
 SPADA Surface-to-air missile 8 launcher  Italy
Starstreak Surface-to-air missile 8 launchers  UK Ordered in 2012[30]
 VL MICA Surface-to-air missile 0 (+4 launcher)  France Ordered in 2013.
Howitzers
 CAESAR 155 mm Self-propelled howitzer 6  France
ATMOS 2000 155 mm self-propelled howitzer 6 (+12)  Israel
 Thailand 		The RTA purchased 18 systems, 1 system delivered from Israel. Another is ongoing license-production in Thailand.[31][32]
 M109A5 155 mm self-propelled howitzer 20  US
GHN-45 155 mm towed howitzer 92  Austria
Soltam M-71 155 mm towed howitzer 32  Israel Undergoing upgrade to self-propelled howitzer
 M198 155 mm towed howitzer 116  US
M114 155 mm towed howitzer 56  US in reserve. Replaced by M198 howitzer.
 Type 59-1 130 mm towed howitzer 18  China in reserve.
 L119 105 mm towed howitzer 22  UK
 Thailand 		Thai L119 light gun produced under license.
GIAT LG1 105 mm towed howitzer 24 Mk ll
18 Mk l 		 France Mk l from Singapore Army.
 M56 105 mm towed howitzer 12  Italy
M101A1 mod 105 mm towed howitzer 285  US 285 guns improve the Nexter LG1 calibre
M102 105 mm towed howitzer 12  US In reserve.
M618A2 105 mm towed howitzer 32  Thailand In reserve.
M425 105 mm towed howitzer 12  Thailand In reserve.
Mortars
 M29 mortar 81 mm mortar  US
M1 mortar 81 mm mortar  US
M2 mortar 60 mm mortar  US
M19 mortar 60 mm mortar  US
M121A1/A2 mortar 60 mm mortar  Thailand
M121A3 commando mortar 60 mm mortar  Thailand

Anti-aircraft artillery

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
 M42 Duster 40 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun 24  US
M163 VADS 20 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun 24  US
Type 59 57 mm towed anti-aircraft gun 24  China
Bofors L60/70 40 mm towed anti-aircraft gun 72 L60
86 L70		  Sweden
Oerlikon GDF 35 mm twin cannon towed anti-aircraft gun 0(+8)   Switzerland 8 GDF-007, used with 4x Skyguard 3 FC radar units.
 M167 VADS 20 mm towed anti-aircraft gun 24  US
M45 Quadmount 4 x M2HB machine guns 24  US M55 Machine Gun Trailer Mount, currently used in reserve and training units
 M16 MGMC 4 x M2HB machine guns 72  US Currently used in reserve and training units.

Radar systems

Air search radars, Artillery-locating radars

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
Air search radars
Siemens DR-172 ADV Medium range air search radar 4  US One system in one army area.
Lockheed Martins LAADS Mobile Short range air search radar 10  US Use supports M163 VADS,M167 VADS and Bofors L70.
Type 513 Short range air search radar 3  China Use supports Type 59.
Artillery-locating radars
 AN/TPQ-36(V)11 Counter-battery radar 5  US
BL-904A Counter-battery radar 2[33]  China Two ordered in 2014.

Aircraft

The Royal Thai Army is known to operate the following aircraft types:

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
Helicopters
 Bell AH-1F Huey Cobra Attack helicopter 7[34]  US Serial numbers 9996, 9997, 9998. Serial number 9999 lost in 2001 crash. Four more of the same model were ordered in 2005.[35] RTA also has another three AH-1F in storage for spare parts.[36]
Eurocopter Fennec AS550 C3 Light Attack helicopter 8[34]  France Gunships. Serial numbers are 7443, 7484, 7560, 7584, 7658, 7703, 7724, and 7775.
 Sikorsky UH-60L/M Blackhawk (S-70A-43) Utility helicopter 9 L
3(+4)M 		 US Serial numbers 6927, 6928, 6929, 7002, 7003, 7025, and 7026. Three more UH-60Ls[37] and three more UH-60Ms[38] ordered Aug 2009 and Jul 2011, respectively. S-70A-43, serial number 6928 was lost in a crash on 17 July 2011. The government has also approved the purchase of two more UH-60Ms. Three more S-70As (based on the UH-60L) arrived at the port of Laem Chabang on 8 April 2013. The serial numbers for these are 7220, 7221, and 7222. Three UH-60M Black Hawks were delivered to RTA on 31 August 2014.These are serial numbers 7334, 7335, and 7336.[39]
 Eurocopter UH-72A Lakota Utility helicopter 5[34]  US These are serial numbers 9644, 9646, 9654, 9656, 9661, and 9666.
 Bell UH-1H Iroquois Utility helicopter 52[34]  US From US military aid during Vietnam War. Some were bought by RTA through Excess defence articles. Total delivered from 1968–2004: 174.[40] Less than 50% air-worthy. All operable UH-1Hs are in use by three RTA airmobile companies. In 2016 20 UH-1Hs will be upgraded into the UH-1H Plus standard that see its engine replace by Honeywell T53-L703 as well as main rotor blade, tail boom, and many part replace by the Bell 212's equipment standard.[41]
 Bell 212 Utility helicopter 52[34]  US Used by 1st Airmobile Co, 2nd Airmobile Co, 3rd Airmobile Co, and Department of Army Transportation. Eight undergoing upgrade to tactical helicopter. Forty-eight planned.
Bell 206 Jet Ranger Utility helicopter 27[34]  US Both the Bell 206A and Bell 206B are in use.
 AgustaWestland AW139 VIP transport/Utility helicopter 2 (+6)  Italy For VIPs.[42][43]
 Eurocopter EC145 VIP transport helicopter 0 (+6)  France For VIPs.[44]
Mil Mi-17-V5 Transport helicopter 5  Russia Three helicopters delivered by AN-124-100 RA-82078 to U-Tapao RTNS on 22 February 2011. A photo has appeared of Mi-17 serial number 6403 being offloaded from an AN-124. The serial numbers of the remaining two are 6401 and 6402.2 additional Mi-17-V5 were delivered into U-Tapao RTNS on 26 November 2015 by AN-124. These were serial numbers 6404 and 6405.
 Boeing CH-47D Chinook Transport helicopter 6[34]  US
Schweizer S-300C Observation/Trainer helicopter 54[34]  US For observation and training
Enstrom 480B Trainer helicopter 16[34]  US For training
Fixed-wing aircraft
CASA C-295W Transport aircraft 0 (+1)  Spain The RTA ordered one C-295W.[45]
Embraer ERJ-135LR VIP transport aircraft 2  Brazil Both aircraft delivered (serial numbers 1084/HS-AMP and 1124)
 British Aerospace Jetstream 41 VIP transport aircraft 2  UK Serial numbers 41060 and 41094. Based with the VIP unit at Don Mueang Airport.
Beechcraft 1900C-1 VIP transport aircraft 2  US Serial numbers 0169 and 0170. Based with the VIP unit at Don Mueang Airport.
 Beechcraft Super King Air 200 VIP transport aircraft 2  US Serial numbers 0342 and 1165. Based at the Lopburi army complex.
CASA C-212-300 Aviocar VIP transport aircraft 2  Spain Serial numbers 446 and 447 based with the VIP squadron at Don Mueang Airport. One of these aeroplanes is no longer in service.
Unmanned aerial vehicles
 IAI Searcher UAV 4 Mk l
3 Mk ll 		 Israel
AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven UAV 12 (+120)  US

Future equipment

Ground forces

Army aviation

Indigenous

Historical equipment

NameCountry of OriginTypeServiceQuantityNote
Infantry weapons
Steyr-Mannlicher M1888  Austria-Hungary Bolt-action rifle 1890–? ?
Type 45 Siamese Mauser[54] Thailand Siam Bolt-action rifle 1903–? ? Decided from Swedish Mauser and Gewehr 98.
Type 47 Siamese Mauser Thailand Siam Bolt-action rifle 1905–? ? Decided from Swedish Mauser and Gewehr 98.
Type 46 Siamese Mauser Thailand Siam Bolt-action rifle 1904–? ? Decided from Swedish Mauser and Gewehr 98.
Type 66 Siamese Mauser Thailand Siam Bolt-action rifle 1923–? ? Decided of the Arisaka.
Type 38 Arisaka  Japan Bolt-action rifle 1934–? ?
Type 99 Arisaka  Japan Bolt-action rifle 1940–? ?
Springfield rifle  United States Bolt-action rifle 1923–? ?
Lee–Metford Model 1888  UK Bolt-action rifle ? ?
Lee–Enfield Mark 3  United Kingdom Bolt-action rifle ? ?
Nambu pistol  Japan Semi-automatic pistol ?–? ?
Rung Paisarn RPS-001  Thailand Assault rifle 1986–? ?
MP 18  German Empire Submachine gun ?–? ?
M1A1 Thompson  United States Submachine gun 1945–? ?
M1918 BAR  United States Light machine gun 1945–? ?
Madsen  Denmark Light machine gun 1923–? ? Locally built and known as the Type 66 Light machine gun.
M1917  United States Heavy machine gun 1923–? ?
Type 77 Vicker Armstong  United Kingdom Heavy machine gun 1934–? ?
Type 97  Japan Anti-tank rifle ?–? ?
Type 25  Thailand Rocket launcher 1982–? ? 73 mm anti-tank rocket launcher.
M18  United States recoilless rifle ?–? ? 57 mm recoilless rifle.
M20  United States recoilless rifle ?–? ? 75 mm recoilless rifle.
FIM-43 Redeye  United States Man-portable air-defence system ?–? ?
Vehicles
Carden Loyd Mark VI  United Kingdom Tankette 1930–1952 10
Carden Loyd Mark VI Modified  United Kingdom Tankette 1934–1952 30
Carden Loyd 6 Ton Mark E  United Kingdom Light tank 1934–1952 10
Carden Loyd A4 E12  United Kingdom Amphibious light tank 1933–1952 2
Vickers 6-Ton Type B  United Kingdom Light tank 1938–1952 8
Type 95 Ha-Go  Japan Light tank 1940–1952 50
Renault U.E.  France Light tank 1940–? 5
M24 Chaffee  United States Light tank 1952–1962 20
Staghound Mark 1  United States Armored car 1949–1972 48
M4 Morris  United States Armored car 1931–1952 6
M8 Greyhound  United States Armored car 1957–1973 25
Bren Gun Carrier  United Kingdom Armored personnel carrier 1944–? 118
Type 69-ll  China Main battle tank 1987–2004 100+
Artillery
Bofors L/24 Model 1934  Sweden 150 mm field gun 1936–? 8
Bofors L/22 Model 1936  Sweden 105 mm field gun 1938–? 20
Bofors L/42 Model 1934  Sweden 105 mm field gun 1935–? 4
Bofors L/40 Model 1934  Sweden 75 mm field gun 1938–? 52
Type 63 Field gun Thailand Siam 75 mm field gun 1920–? ?
Krupp L/30 Model 1903  German Empire 75 mm field gun 1908–? ?
Bofors L/20 Model 1929  Sweden 75 mm mountain gun 1934–? 8
Type 49 Krupp  German Empire 50 mm mountain gun 1906–1922 ?
Type 77 Bofors Model 1934  Sweden 47 mm/75 mm dual purpose gun 1934–? 32
M1A1  United States 75 mm pack howitzer 1954–? ?
Type 76 Vicker Armstrong  United Kingdom 40 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun 1933–? 26
Bofors L/50 Model 1930  Sweden 75 mm anti-aircraft gun 1934–? 18 8 ordered in 1934 and 10 ordered in 1937.
Type 97 90 mm  Japan Mortar 1941–? ?
Type 97 81 mm  Japan Mortar ? ?
Type 11 70 mm  Japan Mortar ? ?
Brandt 60 mm  France Mortar 1935–? ?
Aviation
L-19 A Bird Dog  United States Observation aircraft 1956–? 100+
L-20 Beaver  United States Utility aircraft 1958–? 4
PC-6 Porter  United States Utility aircraft 1977–? 6
C-47 Dakota  United States transport aircraft ? 3
SHORT-330  United States transport aircraft ? 2
OH-13 Sioux  United States Light observation helicopter 1974–? 12
KV-4  Japan Light observation helicopter 1963–? 6
TH-55 A Osage  United States trainer helicopter 1974–? 25
S-55  United States Utility helicopter 1958–? 5
S-62  Japan Utility helicopter ? 1
Bell 214 B  United States Utility helicopter ? 3
Bell 214 ST  United States Utility helicopter 1984–? 3
CH-47 A Chinook  United States Transport helicopter 1972–? 4
KV-107 lll  Japan Cargo helicopter ? 3
Miscellaneous
GT200 Remote Substance Detector United KingdomBomb detector2006-2010700+[55]

Broadcasting

Radio and Television channel list

Free-to-air TV

Satellite TV

Radio

See also

References

  1. ↑ John Pike (22 May 2014). "GlobalSecurity.org". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  2. ↑ "Breaking news". ThaiPBS. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  3. ↑ "The Royal Thai Army | 42nd Military Circle". 42militarycircle.com. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  4. ↑ http://www.dw.com/en/thailands-new-army-chief-takes-office/a-6066746
  5. ↑ "Thailand's Junta Chief Chosen as Prime Minister". Voice of America. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  6. ↑ Chen, Qingzhen (2016-02-19). "Three goals the Thai junta hopes to achieve before it exits". Global Risk Insights. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  7. ↑ Nanuam, Wassana (2015-12-24). "New B2.3bn army auditorium in 2019". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  8. ↑ Chambers, Paul (18 October 2016). "Guardian of the kingdom". New Mandala. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  9. ↑ Stanton, 'Vietnam Order of Battle,' 270–271.
  10. ↑ 06BANGKOK3883, 'Southern Violence: The army takes the lead,' 30 June 2006, para 8.
  11. ↑ Robert Karniol, 'Thailand boosts military in troubled south,' Jane's Defence Weekly, 23 February 2005, Vol. 42, No. 8, p. 12
  12. ↑ Asia Africa Intelligence Wire, New Thai army regiment to battle southern militants [sic – this is a division], BBC Monitoring International Reports, 16 February 2005.
  13. ↑ International Crisis Group, 'Update Briefing: Stalemate in Southern Thailand,' Asia Briefing No. 113, Bangkok/Brussels, 3 November 2010, 3
  14. ↑ Interview: Sukumpol Suwanatat, Air Chief Marshal and Minister of Defence, JDW 15 August 2012, Vol. 49, Issue 33, 34.
  15. ↑ "111 Years". Amed.go.th. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  16. ↑ "110 Years of Army Medical Department, RTA. Commemorative Stamps". Catalog. SiamStamp. 25 November 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  17. ↑ Patrick Winn (12 September 2009). "Thailand Plans $191.3M Arms Purchase".
  18. ↑ "Cabinet nod for buying Israeli rfiles". Bangkok Post. 15 September 2009.
  19. ↑ Archived 2 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  20. 1 2 "SIPRI Trade Register". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
  21. 1 2 "Second batch of five T-84 Oplot-M Main Battle Tank for Thailand Army ready to be delivered". Army Recognition. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  22. ↑ "ผบ.ทบ.สยบข่าวลือ ยันรถถังยูเครน 10 คันส่งถึงไทยทัน 30 มี.ค.ปีหน้าแน่นอน". Matichon (in Thai). Jul 7, 2016. Retrieved Jul 7, 2016.
  23. ↑ "'T-84 Oplot'รถถังยูเครนส่งถึงไทยลอตแรก5คัน" (in Thai). Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  24. ↑ Royal Thai Army signed the contract for Norinco VT-4 main battle tanks. defence-blog.com.
  25. 1 2 Thailand to procure MBT-3000 tanks from China. IHS Jane's 360. 16 May 2016.
  26. ↑ Украина выиграла тендер на поставку 200 танков "Оплот" в Таиланд. Segodnya.ua (in Russian).
  27. ↑ Thailand; Third batch Ukrainian BTR ordered - Dmilt.com, 3 August 2013
  28. ↑ Thailand closer to BTR-3E1 production deal with Ukraine
  29. ↑ Вадим Добровольский. Солдат для Таиланда // "AUTO-Review.UA"
  30. ↑ Royal Thai Army selects STARStreak - Armyrecognition.com, 16 November 2012
  31. ↑ Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly (4 November 2013). "Elbit, Thai industry collaborate on ATMOS 155 mm SP howitzer - IHS Jane's 360". Janes.com. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  32. ↑ "First Elbit Systems' ATMOS 155mm Self-Propelled Gun Arrived to Thailand". 30 March 2015.
  33. ↑ Thailand inducts Chinese artillery radar. Shephard Media.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "World Air Forces 2014 - Pictures & Photos on FlightGlobal Airspace". Flightglobal.com. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  35. ↑ "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  36. ↑ Paul Steven Ghiringhelli (21 October 2010). "AH-1 Cobra retirement". United States Army. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  37. ↑ Archived 16 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine.
  38. ↑ Archived 21 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  39. ↑ Archived 23 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine.
  40. ↑ http://www.thai-aviation.net/files/Army.pdf
  41. ↑ "D&S2015: Transworld upgrading RTA UH-1H and RTN & RTP Bell 212". thaiarmedforce.com. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  42. ↑ "Royal Thai Army Takes Delivery of Two AW139 Helicopters". Leonardocompany.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  43. ↑ "Thai Army Orders 8 AgustaWestland AW139 Helicopters". defenseworld.net. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  44. ↑ "Thailand signs contract to buy six EC145 helicopters". janes.com. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  45. ↑ "Orders, Deliveries, In Operation Military aircraft by Country - Worldwide" (PDF). Airbus Defence & Space. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  46. ↑ http://thaiarmedforce.com/taf-military-news/53-rta-news/814-rta-signed-for-vt-4-mbt.html
  47. ↑ "New Ukraine tanks leave soldiers riled". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  48. ↑ Украина выиграла тендер на поставку 200 танков "Оплот" в Таиланд. Segodnya.ua (in Russian).
  49. ↑ Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry (30 June 2014). "Thailand considers medium-range SAM purchase - IHS Jane's 360". Janes.com. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  50. ↑ "ทบ.จัดหา SAM ระยะกลาง-ไกล 1 ระบบ". Thaiarmedforce.com. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  51. ↑ DSCA UH-60L Black Hawk Helicopter Archived 16 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine.
  52. ↑ Embraer Press Release Embraer sign contracts with the Royal Thai Army and the Royal Thai Navy Archived 29 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  53. ↑ Flight International Thailand buys third ERJ-135
  54. ↑ "คำตอบที่ 182". Weekendhobby.com. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  55. ↑ Nanuam, Wassana; Laohong, King-Oua (21 June 2016). "PM brushes off dud bomb detector probe". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
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