Ministry of Defence (Thailand)

Kingdom of Thailand
Ministry of Defence

กระทรวงกลาโหม
Seal of the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defense building, opposite Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Ministry overview
Formed	8 April 1887
Jurisdiction	Government of Thailand
Headquarters	Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Annual budget	192,949,090,200 Baht (2015)
Ministers responsible	Prawit Wongsuwon, Minister Udomdej Sitabutr, Deputy Minister
Ministry executive	General Preecha Chan-O-Cha, Permanent Secretary
Website	MOD.go.th

The Ministry of Defence (Thai: กระทรวงกลาโหม; rtgs: Krasuang Kalahom; Abrv: MOD), is a cabinet-level government department of the Kingdom of Thailand. The ministry controls and manages the Royal Thai Armed Forces to maintain national security, territorial integrity, and national defence. The armed forces of Thailand composed of three branches: the Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy, and Royal Thai Air Force.

Although the king of Thailand is the supreme head of the Thai armed forces (Thai: จอมทัพไทย) his position is only nominal. The ministry and the forces are administered by an appointed politician, the Minister of Defence, a member of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post of Minister of Defence has been held by General Prawit Wongsuwon, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, since August 2014.

History

Samuha Kalahom redirects here

Initially the Ministry was called "Samuha Kalahom" (Thai: สมุหกลาโหม) or Kalahom Department, and was charged with the protection the southern border. It was founded in the late Ayutthaya period and was retained in the Rattanakosin period. The ministry in its current form was formed in 1887, by the order of King Chulalongkorn, to create a permanent military command. This was a result of the increasing threat posed by Western powers. The ministry was first housed in an old horse and elephant stable opposite the Grand Palace. A new European-style building was built to house it. At first the ministry only commanded the army (founded in 1847), it then incorporated the navy (founded in 1887), and finally the air force (founded in 1913). In 1914, King Vajiravudh determined that the act providing for invoking martial law, first promulgated by his father in 1907, was not consistent with modern laws of war nor convenient for the preservation of the external or internal security of the state, so it was changed to the modern form that, with minor amendments, continues to be in force.

Structure

Office	Ministry of Defense
Minister รัฐมนตรีว่าการ	General Prawit Wongsuwon
Deputy Minister รัฐมนตรีช่วยว่าการ	General Udomdej Sitabutr
Permanent Secretary ปลัดกระทรวง	General Preecha Chan-O-Cha
Deputy Permanent Secretary รองปลัดกระทรวง	Admiral Anuthai Rattarangsi, General Chaichan Changmongkol, General Porpol Mandarin, Air Chief Marshal Siwakiat Jayema
Office	Royal Thai Armed Forces HQ
Chief of the Defense Forces ผู้บัญชาการทหารสูงสุด	General Sommai Kaotira
Deputy Chief of the Defense Forces รองผู้บัญชาการทหารสูงสุด	General Wichien Sirisoonthorn, Admiral Prasarn Sukasetara, Air Chief Marshal Taworn Maneepluek, General Prasooth Rusmepate
Office	20px Royal Thai Army	25px Royal Thai Navy	45px Royal Thai Air Force
Commander-in-Chief ผู้บัญชาการ	General Teerachai Nakwanich	Admiral Na Arreenich	Air Chief Marshal Treetod Sonjance
Deputy Commander-in-Chief รองผู้บัญชาการ	General Walit Rochanapakdee	Admiral Narongpol Nabangchang	Air Chief Marshal Wattana Maneenai
Assistant Commander-in-Chief ผู้ช่วยผู้บัญชาการ	General Rampant Ruddit General Chalermchai Sitthisad	Admiral Graivut Vattanatham	Air Chief Marshal Twidanes Angsusingha Air Chief Marshal Padet Wongpinkaew
Chief of Staff เสนาธิการ	General Pisit Sitthisarn	Admiral Panlop Tamisanon	Air Chief Marshal Johm Rungswang

Other agencies

• Royal Aide de Camp Department
• The War Veterans Department
• Battery Organization
• The Leather Tanning Organization

Associated organizations

• Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School
• National Defence College of Thailand
• Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
• Royal Thai Naval Academy

External links

• Royal Thai Army
• Royal Thai Navy
• Royal Thai Air Force