Royal Thai Army

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Royal Thai Army
กองทัพบกไทย
(RTGS: Kongthap Bok Thai)
125px
Emblem of the Royal Thai Army
Active 1874
Country  Thailand
Allegiance HM The King
Type Army
Size 190,000 (Estimated)[1]
Part of Royal Thai Armed Forces
Garrison/HQ Bangkok
Motto 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 Franco-Siamese War
World War I
Franco-Thai War
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Cambodian–Thai border stand-off
2008–2010 Thai political crisis
Commanders
Commander-in-chief General Teerachai Narkvanich[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
Royal Thai Army Unit Colour.svg

The Royal Thai Army (RTA) (Thai: กองทัพบกไทย, "Thailand Army") is the army of Thailand responsible for protecting its sovereignty. It is the oldest and largest branch of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

History

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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]

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 persons, 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 persons and a reception hall. The basement car park is designed to accommodate 400 vehicles.[6]

Command and control

The Royal Thai Army is commanded by the Commander of the Royal Thai Army (ผู้บัญชาการทหารบกไทย). The current commander is General Teerachai Nakwanich, who was confirmed by royal appointment to take over the top post effective 1 October 2015. The Royal Thai Army headquarters is on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road in Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Commander-in-Chief: General Teerachai Nakwanich
  • Deputy Commander-in-Chief: General Walit Rochanapakdee
  • Assistant Commander-in-Chief: General Kampanat Ruddit
  • Assistant Commander-in-Chief: General Chalermchai Sitthisad
  • Chief of Staff of the Army: General Pisit Sitthisarn

A regiment (the "Queen's Cobras") and later a division, then a brigade, served in South Vietnam from September 1967 to March 1972.[7]

List of commanders

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Structure

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.

For the order of battle during the Japanese occupation of Thailand, refer to the Phayap Army.

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

  • First Army – headquartered in Bangkok and is responsible for the country's western and central provinces including the capital city.
    • 1st, 2nd, 9th, and 11th Infantry Divisions
    • 2nd Cavalry Division
    • 1st Development Division
    • 31st Infantry Regiment
  • Second Army – headquartered in Nakhon Ratchasima and is responsible for the northeastern quadrant.
    • 3rd, 6th Infantry Divisions
    • 3rd Cavalry Division
    • 2nd Development Division
  • Third Army – headquartered in Phitsanulok, responsible for the northern and northwestern parts of the kingdom.
    • 4th Infantry Division
    • 7th infantry division
    • 1st Cavalry Division
    • 3rd Development Division.
  • Fourth Army – headquartered in Nakhon Si Thammarat, responsible for southern Thailand, engaged in the South Thailand insurgency. US State Department cables leaked by WikiLeaks in 2006 said: "Military forces totaling approximately 35,000 troops fall under the command of the 4th Army....the 5th Inf Div and the 15th Development Division (three regiments) totaling approximately 20,000 troops are the main units of the 4th Army."
    • 5th Infantry Division – (five regiments)
    • 15th Infantry Division – (Camp Queen Suriyothai, Nong Kae Hua Hin. (Prachuap Khiri Khan Province)
    • 4th Development Division – US State Department cables leaked by Wikileaks in 2006 said: "The Development Division is itself a traditionally 'static unit' that provides engineering, construction and other support to local communities in the South. It is not formally charged with security operations. Indeed, Development Division officers were very proud in stating that they have better relations with the locals than other security elements—and have not been attacked while engaged in construction or relief efforts."[8]

The creation of the 15th Infantry Division was announced in January 2005.[9] 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.[10]

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."[11]

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.[12]

The 1st Artillery Bataillion, King's Guard in the procession of Princess Galyani Vadhana's royal urn

The Royal Guards 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:

  • Nine infantry divisions (including 16 tank battalions)
  • One armoured division
  • Three cavalry divisions (light armoured divisions)
  • One special forces division trained and equipped for small unit special and airborne operations
  • One field artillery division
  • One air defence artillery division
  • Eight independent infantry battalions
  • Three airmobile companies provided the ground force units with battlefield support

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,[13] with 110 years of service having been honoured by issue of a series of commemorative stamps.[14]

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:

  • Don Mueang Airport (VTBD)
    • Units include the VIP squadron, flying Embraer ERL-135LRs (serial number 1084/HS-AMP and serial number 1124), two Jetstream 41s (serial numbers 41060 and 41094), two Casa 212–300s (serial numbers 446 and 447), and two Beech 1900C-1s (serial numbers 0169 and 0170) and the 1st Infantry Battalion operating two Bell 206Bs (serial numbers 4422 and 4448), three Schweizer S-300Cs (serial numbers 1340, 1366 and 1367), and two Cessna U-17B FAC aircraft (serial numbers 1616 and 1617).
  • Bang Khen (3 km south of Don Mueang)
    • The Royal Squadron flies three Bell 212s and two Bell 412s (serial numbers 36332 and 36333). There is also a special transport unit flying around 10–12 Bell 212s and one or two Bell 206s.
UH-60L Black Hawk during air show at Don Mueang Air Force Base
  • Camp Surasri
    • The 9th Infantry Battalion operates two Bell 206Bs (the serial number of one is 4424), and two or three Schweizer S-300Cs. There is also a detachment of UH-1Hs from an Air Mobility Company based here.
  • Camp Jakapong (Prachinburi)
    • The 2nd Infantry Battalion, "The Queen's Guard", was operating two Bell 206Bs (serial numbers 4446 and 4361), three Schweizer S-300Cs (serial numbers 1343, 1344, and 1345), and two Maule MX-7s (one serial number known is 099) in 2004, however it is likely the Maule MX-7s may now not be operated by this unit now. A detachment of this unit (with, in 1998, one Bell 206 and one Maule MX-7) was operating from Watthana Nakhon (VTBW) near the Cambodian border.
AH-1F Cobra attack helicopter during air show at Don Mueang Air Force Base
  • Phitsanulok Airport (VTPP)
    • Loc 16 degrees 46'58.58N,100 degrees 16'44.84E elevation 154 feet/47 metres.
    • Runway 14/32 length 9,843 x 148 feet (3,000 x 45 metres)
    • Operating from here is the 4th Infantry Battalion with Bell 206Bs, Schweizer S-300Cs, Cessna U-17Bs, and Maule MX-7s.
  • Camp Suranaree (Khorat)
    • The main flying unit here is the 3rd Infantry Battalion flying two Bell 206Bs (serial numbers 4396 and 4447), two Schweizer S-300Cs (serial numbers 1337 and 1339), and two Cessna U-17Bs (serial numbers 1454 and 1618).
    • This field also hosts a detachment of up to three Bell 212 helicopters from one of the Air Mobility Companies.

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

  • The main airfield here is called Sa Pran Nak (VTBH)
    • Loc 14 degrees 56'58.02N, 100 degrees 38'34.88E elevation 95 feet (29 metres).
    • Runways 01/19 3,300 x 98 feet (1,006 x 30 metres) and 06/24 3,890 x 98 feet (1,186 x 30 metres)
    • Operating units here include
      • Gong Bin Bau (Light Aviation Company) – operating Cessna U-17Bs, Cessna T-41s, and Searcher MKIIs
      • Gong Bin Pee-ak Moon Tee Nung (Air Mobility Company 1) – operating Bell UH-1Hs and Bell 212s
      • Gong Bin Pee-ak Moon Tee Song (Air Mobility Company 2) – operating Bell UH-1Hs (US Excess Defense Articles Program)and Bell 212s
      • Gong Bin Pee-ak Moon Tee Sam (Air mobility Company 3) – operating Bell UH-1Hs, Bell 206Bs, Bell AH-1F Huey Cobras (eight) and Bell 212s
      • Gong Bin Pee-ak Moon Tee Gou (pasom) (Air Mobility Company 9) [Mixed]) – operating Bell UH-1Hs (US Excess Defense Articles Program) and Sikorsky S-70-43 Black Hawks (six) with six more on order.
      • Gong Bin Sanub-sanoon Tua Pai (General Support Aviation Battalion) – operating Boeing CH-47D Chinooks, Bell UH-1Hs, and Mil Mi-17V5s
      • The army aviation centre is based here, which conducts conversion training for the army. Types operated are Cessna T-41Bs (ex-US army surplus), Maule MX-7s, and Schweizer S-300C piston trainer helicopters.
      • The two former VIP Beechcraft 200 King Air aeroplanes (serial numbers 0342 and 1165), are also based here. Their present role is unknown. These aeroplanes were modified in the US in the late-1990s.

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.

  • The 5th Infantry Division operates the following aviation assets from a small airfield within the army reserve at Nakhon Si Thammarat (not at the airport): two Bell 206B-3s (serial numbers 4382 and 4427), three Schweizer TH-300Cs (serial numbers 1371, 1372, and 1373) and two Maule MX-7s (serial numbers 114 and 115). A detachment of helicopters can be found here from the Air Mobility Companies based at Lopburi.
  • The 6th Infantry Battalion is based near Ubon Ratchatani.

Rank and insignia

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Equipment

Infantry weapons

Small arms

Photo Model Type Caliber Origin Notes
Pistols
M1911A1.png
M1911 Semi-automatic pistol .45 ACP  US
 Thailand
Thai M1911A1 pistols produced under license; locally known as the Type 86 pistol (ปพ.86).
Beretta 92 FS.gif
Beretta 92 Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum  Italy
HKUSP.png
Heckler & Koch USP Semi-automatic pistol .45ACP  Germany Used by special forces.
Submachine guns
MP5.jpg
Heckler & Koch MP5 Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum  Germany Used by special forces.
Uzi 1.jpg
UZI Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum  Israel Used by military police.
HKUMP45.JPG
Heckler & Koch UMP Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum  Germany UMP9 submachine guns used by special forces.
FN-P90 2.jpg
FN P90 Submachine gun 5.7x28mm  Belgium FN P90 submachine guns used by special forces.
Assault rifles
HK33A2 Flickr (yet another finn).jpg
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.
Tavor-21-CTAR-pic001.jpg
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 [15][16]
M16a1m16a2m4m16a45wi.jpg
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.
AR-15 Sporter SP1 Carbine.JPG
CAR-15 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  US
PEO M4 Carbine RAS M68 CCO.jpg
M4A1 Carbine Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  US Used by special forces, some equipped with SOPMOD kit.
AUG A1 508mm 04.jpg
Steyr AUG Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  Austria Used by special forces.
Domok g36.JPG
Heckler & Koch G36 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  Germany Used by special forces.
SAR 21 RCF module.jpg
SAR 21 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  Singapore Used by special forces.
IMI-Galil.jpg
IMI Galil Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  Israel Used in small numbers.
AK-47 and Type 56 DD-ST-85-01269.jpg
Type 56/56-1 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm  China Used in small numbers mainly by the Thahan Phran. Former Thai Communist rifle.
Semi-automatic rifles
M1 Garand rifle - USA - 30-06 - Armémuseum.jpg
M1 Garand Semi-automatic rifle .30-06 Springfield  US Locally known as the Type 88 self-loading rifle (ปลยบ.88). Used by Royal Guards and by Army Reserve Force Students as a non-firing training rifle.
M1 Carbine Mk I - USA - Armémuseum.jpg
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 rifles
M14 rifle - USA - 7,62x51mm - Special presentation rifle, Serial No 0010 - Armémuseum.jpg
M14 rifle Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm NATO  US
SIG Sauer SSG 3000 Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm NATO   Switzerland
SR-25 Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm NATO  US
Machine guns
HK 21 LMG RIGHT SIDE.jpg
Heckler & Koch HK21 Light machine gun 5.56×45mm NATO  Germany
M249 FN MINIMI DA-SC-85-11586 c1.jpg
FN MINIMI Light machine gun 5.56×45mm NATO  Belgium
IMI-Negev006a.jpg
IMI Negev Light machine gun 5.56×45mm NATO  Israel Over 2,000 purchased. Delivery is ongoing.[17]
LMG-RPD-44.jpg
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
M60GPMG.jpeg
M60 General purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO  US
Machine gun M2 1.jpg
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.
Expomil 2005 01 TR-85M1 02 Mitraliera PKT.jpg 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 1.jpg
M203 grenade launcher Underbarrel grenade launcher  US
Beretta AR with thermal sight and grenade launcher.jpg
Beretta GLX160 Underbarrel grenade launcher  Italy
M79 afmil.jpg
M79 grenade launcher Single-shot grenade launcher  US
BTS-203 Single-shot grenade launcher  Thailand
MK19-02.jpg
Mk 19 grenade launcher Automatic grenade launcher  US
Anti-Tank
RPG2 and PG2 TBiU 37.jpg
RPG-2 Rocket-propelled grenade  China Used in small numbers mainly by the Thahan Phran. Former Thai Communist shoulder-fired missile .
DN-SD-06-16156.JPG
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.jpg
Carl Gustav recoilless rifle recoilless rifle  Sweden
M40 recoilless rifle Recoilless rifle  US
66 kertasinko 75.JPG
M72 LAW Anti-tank rocket launcher  US
Dragon 04.jpg
M47 Dragon Anti-tank guided missile 500  US
Hires 090509-A-4842R-001a.jpg
BGM-71 TOW Anti-tank guided missile  US
Anti-Aircraft
HN-5A Man-portable air-defence system 90  China [18]
IGLA-S MANPADS at IDELF-2008.jpg
9K38 Igla-S Man-portable air-defence system 48  Russia Part of order placed in 2010.[18]

Vehicles

Armoured fighting vehicles

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
Tanks
2012 Eurosatory Ukraine tank.JPG
T-84 Oplot-M Main Battle Tank 10 (+39)[19]  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).[citation needed] Five to be delivered on 5 February 2014, 20 will be delivered in early-2015.[20][19]
M60A1/A3 Patton Main battle tank 53 A1
125 A3
 US Ex–US Army 53 M60A1 RISE Passive and 125 M60A3 TTS.
Museo de Unidades Acorazadas de El Goloso (8615983323).jpg
M48A5 Patton Main battle tank 105  US
BKK24090618.jpg
M41A3 Walker Bulldog Light tank 200  US
FV101 Scorpion CVR(T) Light tank 128  UK
Stingray light tank Light tank 106  US
Armoured Vehicles
Thai Type 85 APCs during 2010 Thai political protests 3.jpg
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.
Blindado M113 (Ejército brasileño) en.jpg
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.
Hellenic Army - M901 - 7228.jpg
M901A3 ITV Tank destroyer 18  US
M106 A1 scheda.jpg
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.
BTR3.jpg
BTR-3E1 Infantry fighting vehicle/Armoured personnel carrier 223 (+21)  Ukraine 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.[citation needed] Third order of 21 announced in August 2013.[21]
Cadillac Gage V-150 do Exército português.jpg
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.
Cadillac Gage Commando.JPEG
V-100 Commando Armoured personnel carrier 19+  US
US Navy 060322-N-5438H-018 U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the Bravo Battery 3rd Battalion 320th Field Artillery Regiment along with Iraq Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion 1st Brigade 4th Division perform a routine patrol.jpg
Humvee Light Armored Car/Light utility vehicle +1,200  US RTA use M998, M1038A1, M1097A1, M1037, M1042, M1025, M1026A1, M966, M997, M997A2.
Reva APC.jpg
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
M992A2 FAASV.jpg
M992 Ammunition resupply vehicle 20  US Used for resupplying the M109A5 howitzer.
Bundeswehrmuseum Dresden 68.jpg
Type 84 AVLB Armoured vehicle-launched bridge 4  China Based on the Type 69 MBT. 18 m long mobile bridge.
M88 Armored Recovery Vehicle in pm.jpg
M881A1/A2 Hercules Armored recovery vehicle 22  US
Chinese Type 653 ARV 2.JPG
Type 653 Armored recovery vehicle 16  China
M558.JPG
M578 LRV Armored recovery vehicle Unknown  US
FV106 Samson Armored recovery vehicle Unknown  UK
FV105 Sultan Armored command vehicle Unknown  UK
NDP2010 CR3 Bronco ATTC 1.JPG
Bronco ATTC Amphibious armoured vehicle Unknown  Singapore Troop carrier variant. Used by engineers.

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-WAGON 280 Display in Exhibition Booth 20130608a.jpg
Mercedes-Benz G-Class Military light utility vehicle Unknown  Germany
Logistical vehicles
HET tractor.jpg
M911 Tractor unit N/A  US
REFORGER 1991, M54 Truck unloading.jpg
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 (2008).jpg
Isuzu F-Series Truck +2,000  Japan
 Thailand
RTA use Isuzu FTS 800 4x4, FTS 33 H2E 4x4.
2006 Thailand Coup 014.jpg
UNIMOG Medium +1,500  Germany RTA use U1100/L 4x4, U1550 4x4, U2450/L 6x6, U2405 6x6.
KrAZ-6322 Truck less than 50[22]  Ukraine
M1088 of 260th QM Bn.jpg
LMTV Tractor unit +750  US RTA have four series of LMTV, M1083, M1085, M1088, and M1089.

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 0(+3)  Thailand 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 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
Aspide launch.jpg
SPADA Surface-to-air missile 8 launcher  Italy
Starstreak Surface-to-air missile 8 launchers  UK Ordered in 2012[23]
MICA P6230072.JPG
VL MICA Surface-to-air missile 0 (+4 launcher)  France Ordered in 2013.
Howitzers
CAESAR-openphotonet PICT6026.JPG
CAESAR 155 mm Self-propelled howitzer 6  France
Atmos 2000.jpg
ATMOS 2000 155 mm self-propelled howitzer 0(+6)  Israel
 Thailand
Thai ATMOS 2000 is produced under license.[24][25]
Moroccan M109A5 howitzer, 2012-03.jpg
M109A5 155 mm self-propelled howitzer 20  US
GHN-45rear.jpg
GHN-45 155 mm towed howitzer 92  Austria
Soltam M-71 155 mm towed howitzer 32  Israel Undergoing upgrade to self-propelled howitzer
4-14 Marines in Fallujah.jpg
M198 155 mm towed howitzer 116  US
USArmy M114 howitzer.jpg
M114 155 mm towed howitzer 20  US Total 56 in service. Twenty active and 36 decommissioned in 2013. Replaced by M198 howitzer.
130-мм пушка М-46 образца 1953 года (1).jpg
Type 59-1 130 mm towed howitzer 18  China in reserve.
Australian gunners Afghanistan March 2009.jpg
L119 105 mm towed howitzer 22  UK
 Thailand
Thai L119 light gun produced under license.
Giat LG-1.jpg
LG1 Mk II 105 mm towed howitzer 24 Mk ll
18 Mk l
 France Mk l from Singapore Army.
M56 105 mm towed howitzer 12  Italy
M101-105mm-howitzer-camp-pendleton-20050326.jpg
M101A1 mod 105 mm towed howitzer 285  US 285 guns improve the Nexter LG1 calibre
M102 howitzer.jpg
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
"Members of a Negro mortar company of the 92nd Division pass the ammunition and heave it over at the Germans in an almos - NARA - 535546.jpg
M1 mortar 81 mm mortar  US
Mortar M29.jpg
M29 mortar 81 mm mortar  US
M2-Mortar.jpg
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-latrun-1.jpg
M42 Duster 40 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun 24  US
M163 VADS.JPEG
M163 VADS 20 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun 24  US
S-60-57mm-hatzerim-1.jpg
Type 59 57 mm towed anti-aircraft gun 24  China
Bofors-p004596.jpg
Bofors L60/70 40 mm towed anti-aircraft gun 72 L60
86 L70
 Sweden
M167 VADS 20 mm towed anti-aircraft gun 24  US
Montaje Maxon.JPG
M55 Quadmount 4 x M2HB machine guns 24  US
M3 Half Track, Thunder Over Michigan 2006.jpg
M3 Half-track 4 x M2HB machine guns 72  US M16 MGMC series

Radar systems

Air search radars

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
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

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
AN TPQ-36.jpg
AN/TPQ-36(V)11 Firefinder radar 5  US
BL-904A Firefinder radar 0 (+2)  China Two ordered in 2014.

Aircraft

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

Photo Model Origin Quantity Notes
Thaiarmy AH1F Cobra.jpg
Bell AH-1F Huey Cobra  US 7[26] Serial numbers 9996, 9997, 9998. Serial number 9999 lost in 2001 crash. Four more of the same model were ordered in 2005.[27] RTA also has another three AH-1F in storage for spare parts.[28]
050618-Fennec-03.jpg
Eurocopter Fennec AS550 C3  France 8[26] Gunships.
Thaiarmy UH60L.jpg
Sikorsky UH-60L/M Blackhawk (S-70A-43)  US 9 L
3(+4)M
Serial numbers 6927, 6928, 6929, 7002, 7003, 7025, and 7026. Three more UH-60Ls[29] and three more UH-60Ms[30] 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 [31]
Eurocopter UH-72A Lakota  US 0 (+6)[26]
RNZAF Iroquois 2009.jpg
Bell UH-1H Iroquois  US 52[26] From US military aid during Vietnam War. Some were bought by RTA through Excess defence articles. Total delivered from 1968–2004: 174.[32] Less than 50% air-worthy. All operable UH-1Hs are in use by three RTA airmobile companies.
AgustaWestland AW139  Italy 2 (+8) For VIPs.[33][34]
Zepper-BK 117-C2-(EC145)-SchweizerischeRettungsflugwacht.jpg
Eurocopter EC145  France 0 (+6) For VIPs.[35]
นายกรัฐมนตรีและคณะ ตรวจราชการ ณ จังหวัดนครศรีธรรมราช ว - Flickr - Abhisit Vejjajiva (7).jpg
Boeing CH-47D Chinook  US 6[26]
Royal Thai Army MI-17 V5.JPG
Mil Mi-17-V5  Russia 3 (+2) 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.
BellThai 35044 (8876684465).jpg
Bell 212  US 52[26] 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.
LAPD Bell 206 Jetranger.jpg
Bell 206 Jet Ranger  US 27[26] Both the Bell 206A and Bell 206B are in use.
Schweitzer 300CB Side View.jpg
Schweizer S-300C  US 54[26] For observation and training
G-LADD-Enstrom480.jpg
Enstrom 480B  US 16[26] For training
Embraer135-BelgianAirForce-1287.jpg
Embraer ERJ-135LR  Brazil 2 Both aircraft delivered (serial numbers 0184/HS-AMP and 1124)
CASA C-212-300 Aviocar, Thailand - Army AN1641411.jpg
CASA C-212-300 Aviocar  Spain 2 Serial numbers 446 and 447 based with the VIP squadron at Don Mueang Airport. One of these aeroplanes is no longer in service.
Easternairways j41 g-majx arp.jpg
British Aerospace Jetstream 41  UK 2 Serial numbers 41060 and 41094. Based with the VIP unit at Don Mueang Airport.
1900C envol.jpg
Beechcraft 1900C-1  US 2 Serial numbers 0169 and 0170. Based with the VIP unit at Don Mueang Airport.
Royal Air Force King Air B200 Training Aircraft MOD 45153010.jpg
Beechcraft Super King Air 200  US 2 Serial numbers 0342 and 1165. Based at the Lopburi Army complex.
IAI-Searcher1.jpg
IAI Searcher  Israel 4 Mk l
3 Mk ll
Raven UAV.jpg
AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven  US 12 (+120)

Future procurement

Ground forces

  • T-84 Oplot-M – In March 2011, the RTA placed an order for 49 T-84s to replace its fleet of aging M41A3 Walker Bulldog light tanks. Up to 200 tanks may eventually be acquired. However, the RTA had yet to make an official announcement.[36][37]
  • New missile systems – The RTA want surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles with Royal Thai Army choosing HIMARS and VL MICA.[citation needed]
  • New self-propelled artillery – The RTA purchase ATMOS 2000.[citation needed]
  • Surface-to-air missile procurement – On 1 July 2014 it was reported that the RTA is considering buying a medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.[38][39]

Army aviation

  • UH-60 Black Hawk – On 6 August 2009, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to Thailand of three Black Hawk helicopters and associated equipment and logistical support at an estimated cost of US$150 million.[40]
  • ERJ-135 – The RTA signed a contract with Embraer to purchase an ERJ-135 for VIP transport.[41] On 12 January 2009, Royal Thai Army signed a second contract to buy another aircraft for VIP and medivac use.[42]

Historical equipment

Name Country of Origin Type Service Quantity Note
Infantry weapons
Steyr-Mannlicher M1888  Austria-Hungary Bolt-action rifle 1890–?  ?
Type 45 Siamese Mauser[43] 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

Broadcasting

Radio and Television channel list

Free-to-air TV

Satellite TV

Radio

  • Royal Thai Army Radio Network all 126 stations

See also

References

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  4. http://www.dw.com/en/thailands-new-army-chief-takes-office/a-6066746
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  7. Stanton, 'Vietnam Order of Battle,' 270–271.
  8. 06BANGKOK3883, 'Southern Violence: The army takes the lead,' 30 June 2006, para 8.
  9. Robert Karniol, 'Thailand boosts military in troubled south,' Jane's Defence Weekly, 23 February 2005, Vol. 42, No. 8, p. 12
  10. Asia Africa Intelligence Wire, New Thai army regiment to battle southern militants [sic – this is a division], BBC Monitoring International Reports, 16 February 2005.
  11. International Crisis Group, 'Update Briefing: Stalemate in Southern Thailand,' Asia Briefing No. 113, Bangkok/Brussels, 3 November 2010, 3
  12. Interview: Sukumpol Suwanatat, Air Chief Marshal and Minister of Defence, JDW 15 August 2012, Vol. 49, Issue 33, 34.
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  17. [1] Archived 2 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
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  21. Thailand; Third batch Ukrainian BTR ordered - Dmilt.com, 3 August 2013
  22. Вадим Добровольский. Солдат для Таиланда // "AUTO-Review.UA"
  23. Royal Thai Army selects STARStreak - Armyrecognition.com, 16 November 2012
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  29. [2] Archived 16 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  30. [3] Archived 21 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  31. [4] Archived 23 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  32. http://www.thai-aviation.net/files/Army.pdf
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  40. DSCA UH-60L Black Hawk Helicopter Archived 16 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  41. Embraer Press Release Embraer sign contracts with the Royal Thai Army and the Royal Thai Navy Archived 29 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  42. Flight International Thailand buys third ERJ-135
  43. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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