- Ministry of Defence (Thailand)
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Kingdom of Thailand
Ministry of Defenceกระทรวงกลาโหม 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 ThailandMinistry 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.
Contents
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
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
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
External links
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Public Health · IndustryAgencies Election Commission · Ombudsmen · State Audit Commission · National Anti-Corruption Commission · National Human Rights CommissionRoyal Armed Forces of Thailand
Branches Command Ministry of Defence · Royal Thai Armed Forces HQ · Chief of the Defence Forces · Commander of the Army · Commander of the Navy · Commander of the Air ForceUnits Royal Guards · Thahan Phran · Army Reserve Force Students · Royal Thai Marine Corps · Royal Thai Navy SEALs · Air Force Special Operations · Border Patrol PoliceAcademies Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School · National Defence College · Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy · Phramongkutklao College of Medicine · Royal Thai Airforce Academy · Royal Thai Naval AcademyOthers Categories:- Military of Thailand
- Defence ministries
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