Ministry of Defence (Thailand)

Kingdom of Thailand Ministry of Defence
กระทรวงกลาโหม
Seal of the Ministry of Defence of Thailand
Ministry overview
Formed	1887
Jurisdiction	Government of Thailand
Headquarters	Ministry of Defence HQ, Sanamchai Rd., Bangkok 10200
Annual budget	143,518,901,100 Baht (2008)
Minister responsible	General Yuthasak Sasiprapha (PT), Minister of Defence of Thailand
Ministry executive	General Kittipong Keskowit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry
Website
Mod.go.th

The Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom Thailand (Thai: กระทรวงกลาโหม; RTGS: Krasuang Kalahom; Abrv: MOD), is a Cabinet level government department of the Kingdom of Thailand. The Ministry controls and manage the Royal Thai Armed Forces, as well as maintaining national security, territorial integrity and national defence. The Armed Forces of Thailand is made up of three main branches: 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 Force is instead administer by an appointed civilian politician: the Minister of Defence of Thailand a member of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post of Minister of Defence has been hold by General Yuthasak Sasiprapha since 9 August 2011.

History

Initially the Ministry was called the "Kalahom Department" (Thai: สมุหกลาโหม), it 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, under the orders of King Chulalongkorn the Great, to create a permanent military command. This was a result of the increasing threat Western powers were having on the country. The actual Ministry was housed in an old horse and elephant stable, opposite the Grand Palace. A new European style building was however build 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).

The Secretariat

Ministry of Defence of Thailand, on Sanamchai Road, opposite the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Flag of the Minister of Defence

The Ministry like any other government department is headed by the secretariat who helped the Minister and Deputy Ministers; exercise their authority and administer the department.

• Permanent Secretary: General Kittipong Keskowit
• Deputy Permanent Secretary: Air Chief Marshal Apisit JulMoke
• Deputy Permanent Secretary: General Witthawas Rachatanand
• Deputy Permanent Secretary: Admiral Rapol Kamklai

Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters

Formerly the Supreme Command HQ (until February 2008), the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters is situated in Bangkok and is a joint committee of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, in charge of Military planning and execution.

Chief Commanders

• Chief of the Defence Forces: General Songkitti Jaggabatara
• Chairman of the Advisory Board: General Kamon Saenissara
• Deputy Chief of Defence Forces: General Kittpong Keskowit
• Deputy Chief of Defence Forces: Admiral Wallop Kerdphol
• Deputy Chief of Defence Forces: Air Chief Marshal Manit Changpuek

Joint Staff

• Chief of Joint Staff: General Ratchakrit Kanchanawat
• Deputy Chief Of Joint Staff: Air Chief Marshal Apisit Chulamokha
• Deputy Chief Of Joint Staff: Admiral Somsak Thanompol
• Deputy Chief Of Joint Staff: General Worapong Sanganetra

Royal Thai Armed Forces

Royal Thai Army

The Royal Thai Army is the land forces of the Thai armed forces. The Army is generally divided into four Army Groups, however it is entirely commanded from Bangkok.

• Commander-in-Chief: General Prayuth Chan-ocha
• Deputy Commander-in-Chief: General Teerawat Boonyapradap
• Assistant Commander-in-Chief: General Pichet Wisaijorn

Royal Thai Navy

The Royal Thai Navy is the sea forces of the Kingdom. It compromises of several surface light and heavy vessels including one Aircraft carrier, the HTMS Chakri Nareubet. The Navy also oversees the Royal Thai Marine Corps.

• Commander-in-Chief: Admiral Khamthorn Pumhiran
• Deputy Commander-in-Chief: Admiral Nibhon Chagsudulya
• Assistant Commander-in-Chief: Admiral Thana Bunnag
• Chief of Staff of the Navy: Admiral Rapol Khamklai

Royal Thai Air Force

The Royal Thai Air Force is the air wing of the Thai armed forces. It is one of the oldest Air forces in the world, founded in 1913. It currently provides air defence and air transport for the other branches.

• Commander-in-Chief: Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong
• Deputy Commander-in-Chief: Air Chief Marshal Kanit Suwannate
• Assistant Commander-in-Chief: Air Chief Marshal M.L. Suthirat Kasemsan
• Chief of Staff of the Air Force: Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong

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

References

MOD - Thailand

External links

• MOD - Thailand
• Supreme Command HQ
• Royal Thai Army
• Royal Thai Navy
• Royal Thai Air Force