| Royal Thai Navy | |
|---|---|
| กองทัพเรือ | |
 Emblem of the Royal Thai Navy | |
| Founded | 20 November 1906 (119 years) |
| Country |  Thailand |
| Branch | |
| Type | Navy |
| Role | Naval warfare |
| Size | 69,850 active personnel[1] 241 ships 302 Aircraft[1] |
| Part of | Royal Thai Armed Forces |
| Garrison/HQ |
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| Nicknames | "ทร." "Thor raw" Abbreviation of Navy "ราชนาวี" "Raj Navy" Royal Navy |
| Motto | ร่วมเครือนาวี จักยลปฐพีไพศาล ('Join the Navy to see the world') |
| Colours | Navy blue |
| March |
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| Website | navy.mi.th |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-chief |  AdmiralJirapol Wongwit |
| Insignia | |
| Flag |  |
| Naval jack and unit colour |  |
| Naval ensign |  |
| Fin flash |  |
TheRoyal Thai Navy (Abrv: RTN, ทร.;Thai:กองทัพเรือไทย,RTGS: kong thap ruea thai) is thenaval warfare force ofThailand. Established in 1906, it was modernised by the Admiral PrinceAbhakara Kiartiwongse (1880–1923) who is known as the father of the Royal Navy. It has a structure that includes the naval fleet,Royal Thai Marine Corps, andAir and Coastal Defence Command. The RTN headquarters is atSattahip Naval Base.
The navy operates three naval area commands (NAC): NorthernGulf of Thailand (First NAC); SouthernGulf of Thailand (Second NAC); and theAndaman Sea (Indian Ocean) (Third NAC). RTN also has two air wings and one flying unit on its aircraft carrier.
The military naval history ofThailand encompasses over 1300 years of armed struggle, from wars with her regional rivals, theKhmer Empire,Burma, and periods of conflicts with theBritish Empire andFrench Indochina during thecolonial era.[2]
The naval arm of the army consisted mainly ofriverine war craft whose mission was to control theChao Phraya River and protect ships carrying the army to battle. The warships carried up to 30 musketeers, a large number of rowers and a front 6 or 12-pounder cannons or no guns at all.
The Siamese navy was also supported by Chinese immigrants, mostly inChantaburi. During the era ofTaksin the Great, his army successfully sieged the old capital of Ayutthaya with the help of the Chinese shipwrights who are masters of buildingwar junks, which carried more guns than riverine warcrafts.
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 atVàm Nao River.
ThePaknam Incident was a navy engagement fought during theFranco-Siamese crisis in July 1893. Three French ships violated Siamese territory and warning shots were fired at them by a Siamese fort and a force of gunboats on the Chao Phraya River inPaknam.[3]: 259 In the ensuing battle, France prevailed and blockaded Bangkok.[3]: 263 Peace was restored on 3 October 1893 after the British put pressure on both the Siamese and French to reach a negotiated settlement.[4]: 127
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The First World War had no direct impact onSiam due to its distance from the fighting. The war did, however, provide an opportunity for KingRama VI to strengthen his country's position in the international arena. He also used the war as a means to promote the concept of a Siamese nation.[2][5]
Siamese sailors were part of a volunteerexpeditionary 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]
TheBattle of Ko Chang took place on 17 January 1941 during theFranco-Thai War in which a flotilla of French warships attacked a smaller force of Thai vessels, including a coastal defence ship.[8] TheHTMSThonburi was heavily damaged and grounded on a sand bar at the mouth of theChanthaburi River, with about 20 dead. The Thai transport HTMSChang arrived atKo Chang shortly after the French departed and took theThonburi in tow, before purposefully running her aground in Laem Ngop.
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 inSaigon, that heavy damage was seen to have been caused to the French shipLamotte-Picquet and her squadron. The battle was a tactical victory by theFrench Navy over the Thai Navy although the strategic result is disputed. The Japanese intervened diplomatically and mediated a ceasefire.[9] Within a month of the engagement, the French and the Thais had negotiated a peace that ended the war.
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 throughoutWorld War II, but saw no combat.[11] Two of them did serve an unconventional role during the war. On 14 April 1945, five months before the Japanese surrender, Bangkok's Samsen and Wat Liab Power Plants werebombed by the Allies, leaving the city without electricity. In response to a request from theBangkok Electricity Authority, theMatchanu andWirun anchored at theBangkok Dock Company and served as power generators for one of Bangkok's tram lines.[12]
During theManhattan Rebellion of 1951, the navy was involved in a failed coup against Prime MinisterPlaek Phibunsongkhram which led to the sinking of flagshipHTMSSri Ayudhya.[13]
In support ofSouth Vietnam and its allies during theVietnam War, two Thai naval vessels supported ground forces with naval bombardments.[14]
The navy's combat forces include the Royal Fleet and theRoyal 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 theKra 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 theRoyal Thai Army army andRoyal Thai Air Force command structures.
The Royal Thai Navy is commanded by theCommander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, currently, Admiral Jirapol Wongwit, who was appointed in 2024. The Royal Thai Navy headquarters is in Bangkok.
The Royal Thai Navy operates three naval area commands:
| 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 ofKing Mongkut. As ships grew larger,King Chulalongkorn ordered the construction of a large wooden dock. He presided over the opening ceremony on 9 January 1890, a date now considered the birth of the Naval Department. Its headquarters is now atMahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard,Sattahip District,Chonburi Province.
TheRoyal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC) was founded in 1932, when the first battalion was formed with the assistance of theUnited States Marine Corps. It was expanded to a regiment in 1940 and was in action against communist guerrillas throughout the 1950s and 1960s. During the 1960s, the United States Marine Corps assisted in its expansion into a brigade. In December 1978,RECON teams of The Royal Thai Marine Corps were sent to theMekong River during skirmishes with thePathet Lao, a communist political movement and organisation inLaos.[16]
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Thai Marines today are responsible for border security inChanthaburi andTrat provinces. They have foughtcommunist insurgents in engagements at Baan Hard Lek, Baan Koat Sai, Baan Nhong Kok, Baan Kradook Chang, Baan Chumrark, and in the battle of Hard Don Nai inNakhon Phanom Province. They serve in 2019 in the southern border provinces currently affected by theSouth Thailand insurgency. A monument to their valor stands at the Royal Thai Navy base at Sattahip.
TheRTMC Reconnaissance Battalion, known as "RECON", is areconnaissance 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 conductamphibious reconnaissance, ground reconnaissance,battlespace shaping operations,raids, and specialized insertion and extraction.[19][20]
TheNaval 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 theUnited 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 inanti-piracy operations in theGulf of Thailand.[22]
Thai Navy SEALs participated in theTham Luang cave rescue. The rescue team successfully extricated members of 12 junior football players and their coach, who were trapped in Tham Luang Nang Non Cave inChiang Rai Province in July 2018. One former Navy SEAL died in the rescue effort.[23]
TheAir and Coastal Defence Command was formed in 1992 under the control of the Royal Fleet Headquarters, with one coastal defence regiment and one air defence regiment. Personnel were initially drawn from theRoyal Thai Marine Corps, but are now being recruited directly. The First Coastal Defence Regiment is based near the Marine Corps facility atSattahip. The First Air Defence Regiment was near the Naval Air Wing atU-Tapao. Coastal Defence Command was greatly expanded in 1992, following the government's decision in 1988 to charge the RTN with the responsibility of defending theeastern seaboard and Southern Seaboard Development Project. The Second Air Defence Regiment, based atSongkhla, was formed the following year. Some analysts believe that this element will eventually grow to a strength of up to 15,000 personnel.[24]
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The RTN recently has two air wings and one Flying Unit of aircraft carrierHTMS Chakri Naruebet, operating 23 fixed-wing aircraft and 26 helicopters fromU-Tapao,Songkhla, andPhuket. The First Royal Thai Navy wing has three squadrons; the Second Royal Thai Navy wing has three squadrons and another wing for HTMS Chakri Naruebet Flying Unit.
| Squadron | Status | Role | Type | Aircraft | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The First Royal Thai Navy wing | |||||
| 101 | Active | SAR | Maritime patrol aircraft | Dornier 228 | 7[25] |
| 102 | Active | ASuW andASW | Maritime patrol aircraft | Fokker27-MK 200 | 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 | Maritime patrol aircraft | Fokker27-MK 400 Embraer ERJ-135LR | 2[25] 2[25] |
| 202 | Active | Military transport | Helicopter | UH-1N Twin Huey H145M | 6[25] 5[25] |
| 203 | Active | ASuW andMilitary transport | Helicopter | SH-76B Seahawk Super Lynx 300 | 5[25] 2[25] |
| HTMS Chakri Naruebet Flying Unit | |||||
| 1 | Inactive | ||||
| 2 | Active | ASW andMilitary transport | Helicopter | SH-70B Seahawk MH-60S Knighthawk | 6[25] 2[25] |
The Royal Thai NavyRTN Riverine Patrol Regiment keeps the peace, preventsillegal immigration,human trafficking,drug smuggling or any other threats to national security on the Chao Phraya andMekong Rivers and elsewhere.[26] Royal Thai Navy Riverine Patrol detachments are stationed in several provinces:
| Boat Station / Pier | District | Province | Department | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
TheRoyal Thai Naval Academy inSamut Prakan was established byKing Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1898,[27] Those who want to enter the academy first have to pass the entrance exam, after which they join a three-year preparatory program at theArmed Forces Academies Preparatory School where they study together with army, air force, and police cadets. On successful completion, they enter the academy. After graduation, they attend a further one-year advanced course atSattahip that leads to a graduate diploma in naval science. On completion of this course, they are ready to work as officers in the Royal Thai Navy orRoyal Thai Marine Corps.Cadets graduate with a bachelor's degree in engineering or science and are commissioned in the Royal Thai Navy with the rank of ensign (sub-lieutenant). Together with graduates of the other armed forces and police academies they receive their swords from the king personally or the king's representative. Selected first-year cadets of the RTNA are awardedscholarships to study at naval academies abroad. On their return toThailand they start working as officers in the Royal Thai Navy straightaway.
The Naval Medical Department was first set up on 1 April 1890 and is headquartered atSomdech Phra Pinklao Hospital inBangkok. It provides medical services for sailors of the Royal Thai Navy and operates a number of hospitals in Thailand includingQueen Sirikit Naval Hospital inChonburi, opened on 20 November 1995.[28]
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A Royal Thai Navy band has existed since the RTN was only a naval department of theRoyal Thai Army. Its began with the creation of the "Naval Trumpet Band" on 10 June 1878, with the arrival of the new royal yachtVesatri and her captain, M. Fusco, who later was one of the training instructors.
Captain Fusco had the duty to stage musicals forKing Rama V when the king traveled by sea, as whenKing Chulalongkorn visited Europe in 1897. The government assigned the young ensemble under the command of Captain Fusco to the Royal YachtMaha Chakri' for the voyage to Europe. This band would later become the basis of the Royal Thai Navy Music Division of the RTN Bangkok Naval Base. Today, the RTNMD stations bands in all naval bases and installations, as well as in educational institutions.
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The navy was the first branch of the Thai military to create amilitary police unit.[citation needed] The naval military police was established at the order of Marshal AdmiralParibatra 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]
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The Royal Thai Navy fleet consists of ships constructed inCanada,China,Germany,Italy,Singapore,South Korea,Spain, theUnited States, and theUnited Kingdom. Thai shipbuilding companies and RTN dockyards such asMahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard, Asian Marine Services, Marsun Shipbuilding,Italthai Marine, andBangkok Dock also have the capability to construct vessels.[30]
Thailand worked with more than 60 nations in providinghelp to the Nepali people following an earthquake.Operation Sahayogi Haat ('helping hands') was a US military relief operation delivering humanitarian assistance to victims of theApril andMay 2015 Nepal earthquakes. The Royal Thai Navy assisted relief efforts.[31] A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the region ofKathmandu inNepal on 25 April 2015. Operation Sahayogi Haat forhumanitarian relief operations was put into action by Joint Task Force 505 on 6 May 2015.[32][33]
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).[34] The royal barges are a blend of craftsmanship and traditionalThai art. The Royal Barge Procession takes place rarely, marking only the most significantcultural and religious events.
Royal bargeNarai Song Suban Ratchakan Thi Kao or the royal bargeNarai 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 ThaiDepartment of Fine Arts.
She was built during the reign of HM King Rama IXBhumibol Adulyadej, who laid the keel in 1994. ThusNarai 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.
The RTN budget forFY2021 is 48,289 millionbaht, up from 47,050M baht in FY2020[35] and 45,485M baht in FY2019.[36]
The rank insignia ofcommissioned officers.
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Royal Thai Navy[37] | .svg) |  | .svg) |  | .svg) |  | .svg) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||
| จอมพลเรือ Chom phon ruea | พลเรือเอก Phon ruea ek | พลเรือโท Phon ruea tho | พลเรือตรี Phon ruea tri | นาวาเอก Nawa ek | นาวาโท Nawa tho | นาวาตรี Nawa tri | เรือเอก Ruea ek | เรือโท Ruea tho | เรือตรี Ruea tri | |||||||||||||||
| Anglicised version[37] | Admiral of the fleet | Admiral | Vice admiral | Rear admiral | Captain | Commander | Lieutenant commander | Lieutenant | Lieutenant junior grade | Sub lieutenant | ||||||||||||||
The rank insignia ofnon-commissioned officers andenlisted personnel.
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Thai Navy[37] | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| พันจ่าเอก Phan cha ek | พันจ่าโท Phan cha tho | พันจ่าตรี Phan cha tri | จ่าเอก Cha ek | จ่าโท Cha tho | จ่าตรี Cha tri | พลทหาร Phon thahan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anglicised version | Chief petty officer first class | Chief petty officer second class | Chief petty officer third class | Petty officer first class | Petty officer second class | Petty officer third class | Seaman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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