Royal Thai Army
The Royal Thai Army or RTA (Thai: กองทัพบกไทย; RTGS: kong thap bok thai) is the army of Thailand and the oldest and largest branch of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
Royal Thai Army | |
---|---|
กองทัพบกไทย | |
Emblem of the Royal Thai Army | |
Founded | 8 May 1874 (146 years) |
Country | Thailand |
Allegiance | King of Thailand |
Type | Army |
Role | Ground warfare |
Size | 245,000 (est.)[1] |
Part of | Ministry of Defence Royal Thai Armed Forces |
HQ | Royal Thai Army Headquarters, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok |
Motto(s) | เพื่อชาติ ศาสน์ กษัตริย์ และประชาชน ("For the Nation, Religion, Monarchy, and People") |
Colours | Red |
March | มาร์ชกองทัพบก (Army March) |
Anniversaries | 18 January (Royal Thai Armed Forces Day) |
Commanders | |
Commander-in-chief | General Narongpan Jitkaewthae |
Notable commanders | Prince Damrong Rajanubhab Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath Prince Chirapravati Voradej Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena Plaek Phibunsongkhram Sarit Thanarat Thanom Kittikachorn Prem Tinsulanonda Arthit Kamlang-ek Isarapong Noonpakdee Chavalit Yongchaiyudh Suchinda Kraprayoon Surayud Chulanont Sonthi Boonyaratglin Prayut Chan-o-cha Apirat Kongsompong |
Insignia | |
Royal Thai Army Flag | |
Unit colour | |
Aircraft symbol |
History
Origin
The Royal Thai Army is responsible for protecting the kingdom's sovereignty. The army was formed in 1874, partly as a response to new security threats following the 1855 Bowring Treaty with Britain, which opened the country for international trade.[2]
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[3] to concentrate on political reform which he said would take at least a year, following which he promised national elections would be held.[4]
In modern era, the army has a long history of coups d'état and coup attempts. Its leadership continues to see coup-making as one role of the army.[5][6][7]
The existence of an information warfare unit participating in a cyber campaign against government critics was leaked to the public in late February 2020.[8] In 2020 Twitter shut down a network of accounts which were engaged in information warfare. According to Twitter “Our investigation uncovered a network of accounts partaking in information operations that we can reliably link to the Royal Thai Army (RTA).”[9] The operation had targeted the political opposition within Thailand. The Thai Army denied that they had been involved in the disinformation operation.[10]
Command Component and control
The number of army generals is unclear. One point of comparison: as of 1 November 2019, the US Army had 322 general officers[11]:2 for a force of 471,990 troops.[12] Saiyud Kerdphol is Thailand's oldest general, a veteran of World War II and Korea who retired in 1983 as supreme commander. During his tenure, general officer numbers were based on the number of troops under their command. As of 2019, only 150–200 four-star generals occupy command positions. Speaking on the topic of army manpower, Saiyud declared that, "Everybody being a general is unbelievable. Full generals don't have a seat to sit in or a job to do."[13]
- Royal Thai Army Headquarters
- Office of the Army Secretary
- Staff Directorates
- special Affairs Directors
- Tachnical Service Department
The Royal Army is commanded by the Commander of the Royal Thai Army (ผู้บัญชาการทหารบกไทย).
This position is considered the most powerful position in the Thai Armed Forces. As of 1 October 2020, the commander is General Narongpan Jitkaewthae.
- Commander-in-Chief: General Narongpan Jitkaewthae from 1 October 2020
- Deputy Commander-in-Chief: General Teerawat Boonyawat from 1 October 2020.
- Assistant Commander-in-Chief: General Pornsak Poolsawat from 1 October 2020.
- Assistant Commander-in-Chief: General Thammanoon Withee from 1 October 2020.
- Chief of Staff of the Army: General Worakiat Ratananont from 1 October 2020.
Structure
The army is divided into four army areas:
1st Division
4th Infantry Division
- First Army Area - (Thai: กองทัพภาคที่ 1) – headquartered in Bangkok, controls troops in 26 provinces in central, eastern, western Thailand and Bangkok.[14]
- 1st Division, King's Guard - (Thai: กองพลที่ 1 รักษาพระองค์) (Bangkok)
- 2nd Infantry Division, Queen's Guard - (Thai: กองพลทหารราบที่ 2 รักษาพระองค์) (Fort Phromyothi, Prachinburi Province)
- 9th Infantry Division - (Thai: กองพลทหารราบที่ 9) (Fort Surasi, Kanchanaburi Province)
- 11th Infantry Division - (Thai: กองพลทหารราบที่ 11) (Fort Somdet Phra Nangklao, Chachoengsao Province)
- 2nd Cavalry Division, King Vajiravudh's Guard - (Thai: กองพลทหารม้าที่ 2 รักษาพระองค์) (Bangkok)
- 1st Development Division - (Thai: กองพลพัฒนาที่ 1)
- Second Army Area (Thai: กองทัพภาคที่ 2) – headquartered in Nakhon Ratchasima and is responsible for the northeastern quadrant.
- 3rd Infantry Division - (Thai: กองพลทหารราบที่ 3) (Fort Suranari, Nakhon Ratchasima Province )
- 6th Infantry Division - (Thai: กองพลทหารราบที่ 6) (Fort King Phutthayodfa Chulalok Maharat, Roi Et Province)
- 3rd Cavalry Division - (Thai: กองพลทหารม้าที่ 3) (Fort Tinsulanonda, Khon Kaen Province)
- 2nd Development Division - (Thai: กองพลพัฒนาที่ 2)
- Third Army Area (Thai: กองทัพภาคที่ 3) – headquartered in Phitsanulok, responsible for the northern and northwestern parts of the kingdom.
- 4th Infantry Division - (Thai: กองพลทหารราบที่ 4) (Fort King Naresuan Maharat, Phitsanulok Province)
- 7th Infantry Division - (Thai: กองพลทหารราบที่ 7) (Fort Chao Khun Nen, Chiang Mai Province )
- 1st Cavalry Division - (Thai: กองพลทหารม้าที่ 1) (Fort Phokhun Pha Mueang, Phetchabun Province)
- 3rd Development Division - (Thai: กองพลพัฒนาที่ 3)
- Fourth Army Area (Thai: กองทัพภาคที่ 4) – 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 - (Thai: กองพลทหารราบที่ 5) – (Fort Thep Satri Srisunthorn, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province)
- 15th Infantry Division - (Thai: กองพลทหารราบที่ 15) – (Fort Ingkhayutthaborihan, Pattani Province)
- 4th Development Division - (Thai: กองพลพัฒนาที่ 4) – 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."[15]
- Royal Thai Army Special Warfare Command (Thai: หน่วยบัญชาการสงครามพิเศษ) also known as Royal Thai Army Special force – headquartered in Thale Chup Son, Mueang Lopburi, Lopburi
- 1st Special Forces Division - (Thai: กองพลรบพิเศษที่1)
- 1st Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) - (Thai: กรมรบพิเศษที่1)
- 2nd Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) - (Thai: กรมรบพิเศษที่2)
- 3rd Special Forces Regiment, King's Guard (Airborne) - (Thai: กรมรบพิเศษที่3 รักษาพระองค์)[16]
- Ranger Battalion, King's Guard also known as Royal Thai Army Ranger - (Thai: กองพันจู่โจม รักษาพระองค์)
- Special Operation Battalion, King's Guard also known as 90th Task Force - (Thai: ฉก.90 กองปฏิบัติการพิเศษ รักษาพระองค์)
- 4th Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) - (Thai: กรมรบพิเศษที่4)
- 5th Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) - (Thai: กรมรบพิเศษที่5)
- 1st Special Forces Division - (Thai: กองพลรบพิเศษที่1)
The creation of the 15th Infantry Division was announced in January 2005.[17] 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 Fort Ingkhayutthaborihan 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.[18]
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."[19] In 2012, two new combat formations had been approved by the thai government. The new 7th Infantry Division is based at Mae Rim, near Chiang Mai, and the new 3rd Cavalry Division is based at Khon Kaen.[20]
Tactical units
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 Warfare Command trained and equipped for small unit Special forces and airborne operations
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 and 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 in charge of medical affairs, and providing medical care, both in the field and on base, training personnel in research and agriculture and supervising the other medical divisions within the Royal Thai Army.
AMED observed 111 years of service in January 2011,[21] with 110 years of service having been honoured by issue of a series of commemorative stamps.[22] AMED operates Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok and Ananda Mahidol Hospital in Lopburi, along with smaller hospitals at each fort, as well as Phramongkutklao College of Medicine (PCM).
Air Division
Royal Thai Army Aviation Center (กองบินทหารบกไทย) belongs to the service segment of the Royal Thai Army Areas:
- Don Mueang International Airport (VTBD)
- Units include the VIP squadron, flying two Embraer ERJ-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.
- Fort Surasi (Kanchanaburi)
- The 9th Infantry Division 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.
- Fort Chakraphong (Prachinburi)
- The "2nd Infantry Division, Queen Sirikit'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.
- 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.
- Fort Suranari (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.
- Fort Princess Srinagarindra (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 ( 1st Air Mobility Company ) – operating Bell UH-1Hs and Bell 212s
- Gong Bin Pee-ak Moon Tee Song ( 2nd Air Mobility Company ) – operating Bell UH-1Hs (US Excess Defense Articles Program) and Bell 212s
- Gong Bin Pee-ak Moon Tee Sam ( 3rd Air mobility Company ) – operating Bell UH-1Hs, Bell 206Bs, Bell AH-1F Huey Cobras (eight) and Bell 212s
- Gong Bin Pee-ak Moon Tee Gou (pasom) ( 9th Air Mobility Company ) [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.
Military districts
The army is divided into districts, whereby the first digit of the district indicates the army (first, second, third or fourth) that operates it. The names of forts are from locations or influential figures in Thailand's history. These are as follows:
Military district number | Provinces under control | Headquarters location |
---|---|---|
11 | Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan | Laksi, Bangkok |
12 | Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao | Fort Chakraphong, Prachinburi |
13 | Lopburi, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong | Fort King Narai Maharat, Lopburi |
14 | Chonburi, Rayong | Fort Nawaminthrachini, Chonburi |
15 | Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan | Fort Ramratchaniwet, Phetchaburi |
16 | Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon | Fort Phanurangsi, Ratchaburi |
17 | Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri | Fort Surasi, Kanchanaburi |
18 | Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya | Fort Adisorn, Saraburi |
19 | Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Trat | Fort Surasinghanat, Sa Kaeo |
21 | Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum | Fort Suranari, Nakhon Ratchasima |
22 | Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen | Fort Sapphasitthiprasong, Ubon Ratchathani |
23 | Khon Kaen, Kalasin | Fort Sripatcharin, Khon Kaen |
24 | Udon Thani, Nong Khai | Fort Prachaksinlapakhom, Udon Thani |
25 | Surin, Sisaket | Fort Weerawatyothin, Surin |
26 | Buriram, Maha Sarakham | Fort Somdej Chao Phraya Kasatsuek, Buriram |
27 | Roi Et, Yasothon | Fort Prasertsongkhram, Roi Et |
28 | Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu | Fort Srisongrak, Loei |
29 | Sakon Nakhon, Bueng Kan | Fort Kritsiwara, Sakon Nakhon |
210 | Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan | Fort Phra Yod Mueang Khwang, Nakhon Phanom |
31 | Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani | Fort Chiraprawat, Nakhon Sawan |
32 | Lampang | Fort Surasak Montri, Lampang |
33 | Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Lamphun | Fort Kawila, Chiang Mai |
34 | Phayao | Fort Khun Chueang Thammikkarat, Phayao |
35 | Uttaradit, Phrae | Fort Phichai Dabhak, Uttaradit |
36 | Phetchabun, Phichit | Fort Phokhun Pha Mueang, Phetchabun |
37 | Chiang Rai | Fort King Mengrai Maharat, Chiang Rai |
38 | Nan | Fort Suriyaphong, Nan |
39 | Phitsanulok, Sukhothai | Fort King Naresuan Maharat, Phitsanulok |
310 | Tak | Fort Wachiraprakan, Tak |
41 | Nakhon Si Thammarat (except Thung Song District), Phuket | Fort Vajiravudh, Nakhon Si Thammarat |
42 | Songkhla, Phatthalung, Satun | Fort Senanarong, Songkhla |
43 | Nakhon Si Thammarat (only Thung Song District), Krabi, Trang | Fort Thep Satri Srisunthorn, Nakhon Si Thammarat |
44 | Chumphon, Ranong | Fort Khet Udomsak, Chumphon |
45 | Surat Thani, Phang Nga | Fort Vibhavadi Rangsit, Surat Thani |
46 | Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala | Fort Ingkhayutthaborihan, Pattani |
Battle
- Burmese–Siamese wars
- Siamese–Vietnamese wars
- Anglo-Siamese War
- Siege of Bangkok
- First Anglo-Burmese War
- Haw wars
- Franco-Siamese War
- World War I
- Boworadet rebellion
- World War II
- Cold War
- Persian Gulf War
- War on drugs
- 1999 East Timorese crisis
- Global War on Terrorism
- Operation Pochentong
- Southern Insurgency
- United Nations peacekeeping
- Cambodian–Thai border stand-off
- Thai political crisis
- 1933 Siamese coup d'état
- Siamese coup d'état of 1947
- Siamese coup d'état of 1948
- Army General Staff plot (1948)
- Silent Coup (1951
- 1957 Thai coup d'état
- 1958 Thai coup d'état
- 1971 Thai coup d'état
- 1971 Thai coup d'état
- October 1977 Thai coup d'état
- 1981 Thai coup d'état attempt
- 1985 Thai coup d'état attempt
- 1991 Thai coup d'état
- 2005–2006 Thai political crisis
- 2008 Thai political crisis
- 2009 Thai political unrest
- 2010 Thai political protests
- 2013–2014 Thai political crisis
- 2020 Thai protests
Equipment
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 | OF(D) & Student officer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal Thai Army |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
จอมพล | พลเอก | พลโท | พลตรี | พลจัตวา | พันเอก | พันโท | พันตรี | ร้อยเอก | ร้อยโท | ร้อยตรี | นักเรียนนายร้อย | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Field Marshal | General | Lieutenant General | Major General | Brigadier | Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | Sub Lieutenant | Cadet Officer |
Equivalent NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Royal Thai Army |
No equivalent | No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
จ่าสิบเอกพิเศษ | จ่าสิบเอก | จ่าสิบโท | จ่าสิบตรี | สิบเอก | สิบโท | สิบตรี | สิบตรีกองประจำการ | พลทหาร | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Master Sergeant 1st Class (special rank) |
Master Sergeant 1st Class | Master Sergeant 2nd Class | Master Sergeant 3rd Class | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance Corporal | Private 1st Class | Private |
Businesses and infrastructure
The army owns more than 30 golf courses nationwide. The army also owns boxing stadium, 100 petrol stations, racecourses, hotels, retail and coffee shops, and radio and television airwaves (by one count, the armed forces have ownership in 537 radio and TV stations).[24] In early 2020, the army entered an agreement with the Finance Ministry to turn over to the ministry the management of businesses unrelated to the army's mission.[25][26][27] In a related move, army commander General Apirat Kongsompong decreed that retired generals must move out of army-owned housing to free space for serving officers. As of 2020, about 100 retired generals and colonels inhabit army accommodations.[28] Some ex-generals, like PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan were exempted immediately from eviction because of their "contribution to society".[29] The Thai Defence Ministry position is that there is no law prohibiting retired officers from occupying military housing.[30]
Broadcasting
Free-to-air TV
Satellite TV
Radio
- Royal Thai Army Radio Network, all 126 stations
See also
- Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters
- Royal Thai Army Radio and Television
- Border Patrol Police
- Thahan Phran
- Battle of Phou Pha Thi, (Northeastern Laos, March 1968) covert Border Patrol "volunteers"
- Thai–Laotian Border War
- Cambodian–Thai border dispute
- Chao Phraya Bodindecha
- Military history of Thailand
- Rajabhakti Park
- Special forces of Thailand
References
- บำรุงสุข, สุรชาติ (18 July 2019). "เปิดข้อมูลอำนาจกำลังรบไทย". www.matichonweekly.com. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- "The Royal Thai Army | 42nd Military Circle". 42militarycircle.com. 1 October 2010. Archived from the original on 18 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- "Thailand's new army chief takes office - DW - 01.10.2010". DW.COM. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
- "Thailand's Junta Chief Chosen as Prime Minister". Voice of America. 21 August 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- Achakulwisut, Apinya (23 October 2018). "Army at the centre of our vicious circle" (Opinion). Bangkok Post. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- "The CURSE of an Army always ready to pounce" (Opinion). The Nation. 23 October 2018. Archived from the original on 23 October 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- Nanuam, Wassana (18 October 2019). "Army chief refuses to rule out fresh coup". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- BBC News (26 February 2020). "อภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจรัฐบาล : ส.ส. จากพรรคที่เพิ่งถูกยุบกล่าวหากองทัพใช้เงินภาษีทำสงครามจิตวิทยากับผู้เห็นต่างทางสื่อสังคมออนไลน์". BBC News.
- Strangio, Sebastian. "Twitter Suspends Sock Puppet Accounts Linked to Thai Military". thediplomat.com. The Diplomat. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- Tanakasempipat, Patpicha. "Thai army denies Twitter disinformation campaign after takedowns". www.reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- Kapp, Lawrence (1 February 2019). General and Flag Officers in the U.S. Armed Forces: Background and Considerations for Congress (R44389, v.5, updated ed.). Washington DC: Congressional Research Service (CRS). Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- "Active and reserve U.S. military force personnel numbers by service branch and reserve component in 2018". Statistica. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- Faulder, Dominic (31 December 2019). "Thailand: Land of a thousand generals". Nikkei Asian Review. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- Nanuam, Wassana (3 September 2018). "Army reshuffle sees loyalists appointed". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
- 06BANGKOK3883, 'Southern Violence: The army takes the lead,' 30 June 2006, para 8.
- "3rd Special Forces Regiment (official Thai website)". Royal Thai Army 3rd Special Forces Regiment. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
- Robert Karniol, 'Thailand boosts military in troubled south,' Jane's Defence Weekly, 23 February 2005, Vol. 42, No. 8, p. 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.
- International Crisis Group, 'Update Briefing: Stalemate in Southern Thailand,' Asia Briefing No. 113, Bangkok/Brussels, 3 November 2010, 3
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