Ministry of Defence (Thailand)

Kingdom of Thailand
Ministry of Defence

กระทรวงกลาโหม

Seal of the Ministry of Defence of Thailand
Ministry overview
Formed 8 April 1887
Jurisdiction Government of Thailand
Headquarters Ministry of Defence HQ, Sanamchai Rd., Bangkok 10200 Thailand
Annual budget 192,949,090,200 Baht (2015)
Ministers responsible General Prawit Wongsuwon, Minister of Defence
General Udomdej Sitabutr, Deputy Minister of Defence
Website MOD.go.th

The Ministry of Defence (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 Forces are instead administered by an appointed politician: the Minister of Defence, a member of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post of Minister of Defence has been held by General Prawit Wongsuwon, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, since August 2014.

History

Samuha Kalahom redirects here

Initially the Ministry was called "Samuha Kalahom" (Thai: สมุหกลาโหม) or Kalahom Department, and 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). In 1914, King Vajiravudh determined that the Act providing for invoking martial law, first promulgated by his father in 1907, was not consistent with modern laws of war or convenient for the preservation of the external or internal security of the State, so changed to the modern form that, with minor amendments, continues to be in force.[1]

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 helps the Minister and Deputy Ministers exercise their authority and administer the department.

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

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.

Royal Thai Navy

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

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.

Other agencies

Associated organizations

References

  1. Pakorn Nilprapunt (2006). "Martial Law, B.E. 2457 (1914) — unofficial translation" (PDF). thailawforum.com. Office of the Council of State. Retrieved May 21, 2014. Reference to Thai legislation in any jurisdiction shall be to the Thai version only. This translation has been made so as to establish correct understanding about this Act to the foreigners.

MOD - Thailand

External links