Royal Thai Navy
Royal Thai Navy | |
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กองทัพเรือ | |
Naval jack and unit colour | |
Naval ensign | |
Fin flash |
The Royal Thai Navy (
The navy operates three naval area commands (NAC): Northern Gulf of Thailand (First NAC); Southern Gulf of Thailand (Second NAC); and the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) (Third NAC). RTN also has two air wings and one flying unit on its aircraft carrier.
History
Ancient era
The military history of
The naval arm of the army consisted mainly of
The Siamese navy was also supported by Chinese immigrants, mostly in
Vietnamese-Siamese war
The timeline of emergence of a Siamese sea fleet is unknown. Most of its sailors were foreign, such as Cham, Malay, and Chinese. It is assumed that in this era, Ships designs changed from shallow draft Chinese junk (Reu-Sam-Pau/Reụ̄x s̄ảp̣heā) to deeper draft Kam-pan and sloop; with a short period of copied Vietnamese junks. The most prominent naval battle was at Vàm Nao River.
Franco-Siamese crisis
The
World War I
The First World War had no direct impact on
Siamese sailors were part of a volunteer expeditionary force, consisting of medical, motor transport, and aviation detachments.[6] By early-1918, 1,284 men were selected from thousands of volunteers. The force was commanded by Major General Phraya Bhijai Janriddhi and was sent to France.[7]
After World War I
Franco-Thai War
The
The French suffered 11 men killed. During the post-action investigations, the Thai Navy claimed, based on statements by Thai sailors and the fisherman around Ko Chang and merchantmen in
World War II
During World War II, Siam allied with Japan after Japan invaded Siam on 8 December 1941.[10] Thailand officially joined the war in January 1942.
Thai submarines saw service throughout
Manhattan Rebellion
During the Manhattan Rebellion of 1951, the navy was involved in a failed coup against Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram which led to the sinking of flagship HTMS Sri Ayudhya.[13]
Vietnam War
In support of South Vietnam and its allies during the Vietnam War, two Thai naval vessels supported ground forces with naval bombardments.[14]
Later years
The navy's combat forces include the Royal Fleet and the Royal Thai Marine Corps. The 130 vessels of the Royal Fleet include frigates equipped with surface-to-air missiles, fast attack craft armed with surface-to-surface missiles, large coastal patrol craft, coastal minelayers, coastal minesweepers, landing craft, and training ships.
The mission space of the Thailand navy includes rivers and the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean, which are separated by the Kra Isthmus. Naval affairs are directed by the country's most senior admiral from his Bangkok headquarters. The naval commander in chief is supported by staff groups that plan and administer such activities as logistics, education and training, and various special services. The headquarters general staff function like the corresponding staffs in the Royal Thai Army army and Royal Thai Air Force command structures.
Command and control
The Royal Thai Navy is commanded by the
- Commander-in-Chief, Royal Thai Navy: Admiral Adung Phan-iam
- Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Royal Thai Navy: Admiral Suwin Jangyodsuk
- President, Royal Thai Navy Advisory Group: Admiral Kowit Inprom
- Assistant Commander-in-Chief, Royal Thai Navy: Admiral Chonlathit Navanukroh
- Chief of Staff, Royal Thai Navy: Admiral Worawut Pruksarungruang
- Commander-in-Chief, Royal Thai Fleet: Admiral Chatchai Thongsaat
The Royal Thai Navy operates three naval area commands:
- First Naval Area Command: responsible for the northern part of Gulf of Thailand
- Second Naval Area Command: responsible for the southern part of Gulf of Thailand
- Third Naval Area Command: responsible for the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean)
District forces
- Navy Fleet District Forces
- Northern Gulf of Thailand Fleet
- Southern Gulf of Thailand Fleet
- Andaman Sea Fleet
- Royal Thai Naval Air District Forces
- U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield
- Chanthaburi Airstrip
- Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Navy Base
- Songkhla Royal Thai Navy Airfield
- Phuket Royal Thai Navy Airfield
- Narathiwat Airstrip
- Navy Bases District Forces
- Sattahip Naval Base
- Bangkok Naval Base
- Phang Nga Naval Base
- Songkhla Naval Base
- Phuket Naval Base
- Samui Naval Base
- Trat Naval Base
Organization
Naval Headquarters | Naval Fleet | Naval Logistics Support Group | Naval Education, Research and Development Group | Naval Task Forces | Other units |
Naval Headquarters
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The Naval Dockyard was on Arun amarin Road, Siriraj Subdistrict, Bangkoknoi District, Bangkok. It has constructed and repaired ships since the reign of
- Ships built during the reign of King Rama VIII, Ananda Mahidol:
- Ships built during the reign of King Rama IX, King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great:
- HTMS Khamronsin (II)-class: Corvette; displacement 450 tons; three ships in this class[15]
- HTMS Hua Hin-class: Patrol gunboat; displacement 530 tons; three ships in this class[15]
- HTMS Sattahip (I)-class: Torpedo boat; displacement 110 tons[15]
- Tor.91-class: Patrol Boat: displacement 115 tons; nine ships in this class[15]
- Thor (II)-class: Minesweeper; displacement 29.56 tons; five ships in this class[15]
- HTMS Proet: Tanker; displacement 412 tons; two ships in this class[15]
- HTMS Chuang-class: Water tanker; displacement 360 tons; two ships in this class[15]
- HTMS Samaesarn (II)-class: Tugboat; displacement 328 tons; two ships in this class[15]
- Tor.991-class: Gunboat; displacement 115 tons; four ships in this class[15]
- Offshore patrol vessel; displacement 1,969 tons; two ships in this class[15]
- HTMS Laemsing-class: Patrol gunboat; displacement 520 tons[15]
Royal Thai Marine Corps
The
Thai Marines today are responsible for border security in
Marine special force
The RTMC Reconnaissance Battalion, known as "RECON", is a reconnaissance battalion. It falls under the command of the Royal Thai Marine Division.[17][18] The mission of Reconnaissance Battalion is to provide task forces to conduct amphibious reconnaissance, ground reconnaissance, battlespace shaping operations, raids, and specialized insertion and extraction.[19][20]
The Naval Special Warfare Command was set up as an underwater demolition assault unit in 1956 with the assistance of the US.[21] A small element of the Navy SEALs has been trained to conduct maritime counter-terrorism missions. The unit has close ties with the United States Navy SEALs and conducts regular joint training exercises.
Most of the operations of the Navy SEALs are highly sensitive and are rarely divulged to the public. Navy SEALs have been used to gather intelligence along the Thai border during times of heightened tension.[22] Navy SEALs have participated in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Thailand.[22]
Thai Navy SEALs participated in the
Air and Coastal Defence Command
The
- The First Air Defence Regiment: its mission is to provide anti-aircraft defence for the northern Gulf of Thailand with three anti-aircraft battalions.
- The Second Air Defence Regiment: to provide anti-aircraft defence for the southern Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea with three anti-aircraft battalions.
- The First Coastal Defence Regiment: has three artillery battalions.
- Two Air and Coastal Defence Command and Control Centers
- Air and Coastal Defence Supporting Regiment: one transportation battalion, one communications battalion, one maintenance battalion.
The RTN recently has two air wings and one Flying Unit of aircraft carrier
Squadron | Status | Role | Type | Aircraft | Number |
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The First Royal Thai Navy wing | |||||
101 | Active | SAR | Maritime patrol aircraft | Dornier 228 | 7[25] |
102 | Active | ASuW and ASW | Maritime patrol aircraft | Fokker27-MK 200
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2[25] |
103 | Active | Forward air control | Maritime patrol aircraft | Cessna 337 Super Skymaster | 9 |
104 | Inactive | ||||
The Second Royal Thai Navy wing | |||||
201 | Active | Military transport
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Maritime patrol aircraft | Embraer ERJ-135LR
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2[25] |
202 | Active | Military transport
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Helicopter | UH-1N Twin Huey H145M |
7[25] |
203 | Active | Military transport
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Helicopter | SH-76B Seahawk
Super Lynx 300 |
4[25] |
HTMS Chakri Naruebet Flying Unit | |||||
1 | Inactive | ||||
2 | Active | Military transport
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Helicopter | MH-60S Knighthawk
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6[25] 2[25] |
Riverine Patrol Regiment
The Royal Thai Navy
Boat Station / Pier | District | Province | Department | ||
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Royal Thai Navy Riverine Patrol Regiment | |||||
Riverine Patrol Regiment Pier | Bangkok Noi |
Bangkok | Riverine Patrol Regiment | ||
Chiang Saen Boat Station | Chiang Saen |
Chiang Rai | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
Chiang Khong Boat Station | Chiang Khong |
Chiang Rai | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
Chiang Khan Boat Station | Chiang Khan |
Loei | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
Sangkhom Boat Station | Sangkhom |
Nong Khai | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
Nong Khai Boat Station | Mueang Nong Khai |
Nong Khai | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
Rattanawapi Boat Station | Rattanawapi |
Nong Khai | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
Phon Phisai Boat Station | Phon Phisai |
Nong Khai | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
Si Chiang Mai Boat Station | Si Chiang Mai |
Nong Khai | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
Bueng Kan Boat Station | Mueang Bueng Kan |
Bueng Kan | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
Ban Phaeng Boat Station | Ban Phaeng |
Nakhon Phanom | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
Nakhon Phanom Boat Station | Mueang Nakhon Phanom |
Nakhon Phanom | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
That Phanom Boat Station | That Phanom |
Nakhon Phanom | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
Mukdahan Boat Station | Mueang Mukdahan |
Mukdahan | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
Khemarat Boat Station | Khemarat |
Ubon Ratchathani | Mekong Riverine Unit | ||
Khong Chiam Boat Station | Khong Chiam |
Ubon Ratchathani | Mekong Riverine Unit |
The
The Naval Medical Department was first set up on 1 April 1890 and is headquartered at Somdech Phra Pinklao Hospital in Bangkok. It provides medical services for sailors of the Royal Thai Navy and operates a number of hospitals in Thailand including Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital in Chonburi, opened on 20 November 1995.[28]
A Royal Thai Navy band has existed since the RTN was only a naval department of the Royal Thai Army. Its began with the creation of the "Naval Trumpet Band" on 10 June 1878, with the arrival of the new royal yacht Vesatri and her captain, M. Fusco, who later was one of the training instructors.
Captain Fusco had the duty to stage musicals for
The navy was the first branch of the Thai military to create a military police unit.[citation needed] The naval military police was established at the order of Marshal Admiral Paribatra Sukhumbandhu, Prince of Nakhon Sawan, who was a naval commander at that time.[29] The official founding date was on 14 December 1905 by the Department of Mechanical Ships and the Department of Naval Affairs.[29]
Equipment
The Royal Thai Navy fleet consists of ships constructed in
Humanitarian relief operations
Thailand worked with more than 60 nations in providing
Royal Barges
The royal barge is the type of vessel for Thailand's Royal Barge Procession, when is a ceremony of both religious and royal significance which has taken place for almost 700 years when was the earliest historical evidence of royal barges dates from the Sukhothai period (1238–1438).
Royal barge Narai Song Suban Ratchakan Thi Kao or the royal barge Narai Song Suban HM King Rama IX is the only barge out of four royal barges which was built under commission by the Royal Thai Navy, along with the Thai
She was built during the reign of HM King Rama IX Bhumibol Adulyadej, who laid the keel in 1994. Thus Narai Song Suban HM King Rama IX was launched on 6 May 1996 to be commissioned and coincide with the celebration of the 50 anniversary of Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne.
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Royal Barge Narai Song Suban HM Rama IX of Thailand.
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Royal Barge Narai Song Suban HM Rama IX of Thailand. Dress rehearsal on 29 October 2007 for 5 November 2007 Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun.
Budget
The RTN budget for FY2021 is 48,289 million baht, up from 47,050M baht in FY2020[35] and 45,485M baht in FY2019.[36]
Engagements
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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 | |
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Officer ranks |
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จอมพลเรือ | พลเรือเอก | พลเรือโท | พลเรือตรี | พลเรือจัตวา1 | นาวาเอก | นาวาโท | นาวาตรี | เรือเอก | เรือโท | เรือตรี | นักเรียนนายเรือ | |
Admiral of the Fleet
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Admiral | Vice Admiral | Rear Admiral | Commodore or Rear Admiral (lower half)1 |
Captain | Commander | Lieutenant Commander | Lieutenant | Lieutenant Junior Grade |
Sub Lieutenant | Midshipman | |
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See also
- Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse, Prince of Chumphon
- Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters
- Royal Thai Armed Forces
- Royal Thai Army
- Royal Thai Air Force
- Royal Thai Marine Corps
- Royal Thai Naval Academy
References
Notes
Citations
- ISBN 9781032508955.
- ^ a b "History of Thailand". Nations Online. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
- ^ ISBN 1375627406. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ISBN 9789748496283.
- ^ Stearn, Duncan (22 August 2009). "Thailand and the First World War". First World War.com. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ Hart, Keith (1982). "A NOTE ON THE MILITARY PARTICIPATION OF SIAM IN WWI" (PDF). Journal of the Siam Society. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ "90th Anniversary of World War I. This Is The History of Siamese Volunteer Corps". Thai Military Information Blog. 10 November 2008. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
- ^ "70th Year of HTMS Thonburi Part II – The Fighting". ThaiArmedForce.com (in Thai). 17 January 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
- ^ WatcharaYui (4 March 2010). "Battle of Koh Chang overview". thaigunship.blogspot.com. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
- ISBN 978-0472108060.
- ^ Reynolds, Thailand's Secret War, 304–05 with photograph on 306.
- ^ Fuangrabil, Krisda (May 2007). "สู่วาระสุดท้ายของเรือหลวงศรีอยุธยา: ทหารเรือกับเหตุสำคัญของบ้านเมืองในอดีต (ตอนที่ 4)" (PDF). Nawikasat. 90 (5): 6–14.
- ISBN 978-981-4382-98-4.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Museum". Thai Seafarer. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- ISBN 978-1855321069.
- ^ "หน่วยรบพิเศษ SPECIAL FORCE: กองพันลาดตระเวน (recon) รีคอน" (in Thai). Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
- ^ "ด่านศุลกากรนครศรีธรรมราช – Nakhonsithammarat Customs House". nakhonsithammarat.customs.go.th (in Thai). Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
- ^ "ฝึกโหด โคตรภูมิใจ! เปิดใจนักรบรีคอน เรียนเกือบตาย ได้เอาไปใช้จริงไหม". 7 February 2017. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- ^ "นักรบรีคอน ...ยอดคนแกร่ง นักรบเ". 8 April 2011. Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- ^ Jomyut, Baan (28 March 2018). "การปรับตัวของไทยในยุคสงครามเย็น". baanjomyut.com. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- ^ a b Conboy 1991, p. 52.
- ^ "Rescuer dies during dive in flooded Tham Luang cave". Bangkok Post. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- ^ John Pike. "Air and Coastal Defense Command". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g "World Air Forces 2018" (PDF). Flight International. 28 March 2018. p. 31. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- ^ "The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) received six Special Operations Craft – Riverine (SOC-R)". Thai Military and Asian Region. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- ^ "Royal Thai Naval Academy". RTNA. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
- ^ "ความเป็นมาโรงพยาบาล".
- ^ a b ทร. สถาปนากรมกรมสารวัตรทหารเรือ ครบ 111 ปี – ข่าวสด
- ^ "Navy to build B5.5bn missile-equipped patrol vessel". Bangkok Post. 29 February 2016.
- ^ Martinez, Staff Sgt. Alexander (29 May 2015). "Thai and USA forces combine to help earthquake victims in Nepal". Pattaya Mail. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "Operation Sahayogi Haat / Helping Hand". Global Security. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ "Nepal Earthquake Relief Effort Named 'Operation Sahayogi Haat'". Nepal Foreign Affairs. 10 May 2015. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ^ royal, finearts (26 September 2019). "Royal Barge Procession". moe.go.th. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
- ^ "Thailand's Budget in Brief Fiscal Year 2021". Budget Bureau. 2 October 2020. p. 85. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "Thailand's Budget in Brief Fiscal Year 2019". Bureau of the Budget. 20 December 2018. p. 84. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
Bibliography
- Mach, Andrzej (1988). "Re: The Royal Thai Navy". Warship International. XXV (3): 226–227. ISSN 0043-0374.
- Mach, Andrzej (1988). "Re: The Thai Navy". Warship International. XXV (2): 113–116. ISSN 0043-0374.
- Roberts, Stephen S. (1986). "The Thai Navy". Warship International. XXIII (3): 217–265. ISSN 0043-0374.
- Ruth, Richard A. "Prince Abhakara's Experiences with Britain's Royal Navy: Education, Geopolitical Rivalries and the Role of a Cretan Adventure in Apotheosis". Sojourn: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia, vol. 34, no. 1, 2019, pp. 1–47. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/26594523.ISSN 0217-9520
External links
- Official site (in Thai)
- Official site (in English)
- Global Security – Thailand navy