Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
Encyclopedia
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy or CRMA' ( or รร.จปร.) is the military academy
of Royal Thai Army. Established in 1887 it has graduated the vast majority of Thailand
's military leaders and many of them become Thai Prime Ministers.
. It was originally called the Royal Military Academy. On January 1, 1948, it was merged with the Royal Thai Army Polytechniques Institute, under the new name, Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, in the honor of King Chulachomklao.
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy was originally located in the precinct of Saranrom Palace in Bangkok
, where it remained there for 77 years. In 1909 the Academy was moved to Rajadamnoen Nok Avenue in Bangkok
. Lastly, on July 10, 1986, it had been moved to its new sprawling complex at Khao Cha-ngoke, Mueang District
of Nakhon Nayok Province
, 140 km northeast of Bangkok.
Currently, the Academy admits only male applicants after 3-years attendance at Armed Forces Academy Preparatory School.
In every academic year, 8 to 10 scholarships are offered by Royal Thai Army for academically outstanding first year cadets to pursue their study in foreign Military Institutes.
At the end of the 4th year, cadets graduate with a bachelor's degree in their chosen fields of study, and are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in Royal Thai Army.
Major organizations within the academy are Academy Command-Headquarter, Cadet-Regimen Command-Headquarter, Academic Section, Military Education Section, Sport-Education Section, Services Section, and an infantry battalion supporting the academy. Cadets have 24/7 commitment to the academy with a set daily schedule. Regular schedule is started from approximately 0530am. After taking care of their personal hygiene, self study for 1 hr, and breakfast, then the academic schedule starts about 0800am til 1500. Either military training or sport training are scheduled every day from 1530 til about 1700. Self study is scheduled again after dinner from 1900 til 2100.
The annual military training starts in January after the 2nd academic semester is ended. Each class is scheduled for specific training. For examples, the 1st year cadets might be trained at the infantry center. The 3rd year cadets might get an airborne training. The fourth year cadets might get a ranger training.
s and political leaders. The followings are examples of distinguished alumni.
Not only well known in the military arena, many Chulachomlao Royal Military Academy (CRMA) alumni have been doing outstanding works in other sectors, e.g. businesses, academics, both domestic and foreign countries. In 1986, a CRMA alumnus got a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Bureau of Mines to implement a research work at Ames Laboratory. He went on to get a grant from the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) in 1993 to do research work at U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He is listed in The NRC Scientists Directory, and also published a number of refereed technical papers. His works are still cited by many research scientists.
Military academy
A military academy or service academy is an educational institution which prepares candidates for service in the officer corps of the army, the navy, air force or coast guard, which normally provides education in a service environment, the exact definition depending on the country concerned.Three...
of Royal Thai Army. Established in 1887 it has graduated the vast majority of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
's military leaders and many of them become Thai Prime Ministers.
History
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (CRMA) was founded on August 5, 1887, by King Chulachomklao or King Rama V and also known as King ChulalongkornChulalongkorn
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama V was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was known to the Siamese of his time as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang . He is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam...
. It was originally called the Royal Military Academy. On January 1, 1948, it was merged with the Royal Thai Army Polytechniques Institute, under the new name, Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, in the honor of King Chulachomklao.
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy was originally located in the precinct of Saranrom Palace in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, where it remained there for 77 years. In 1909 the Academy was moved to Rajadamnoen Nok Avenue in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
. Lastly, on July 10, 1986, it had been moved to its new sprawling complex at Khao Cha-ngoke, Mueang District
Amphoe Mueang Nakhon Nayok
Mueang Nakhon Nayok is the capital district of Nakhon Nayok Province, central Thailand.-History:Mueang Nakhon Nayok is an ancient city. In the Ayutthaya kingdom it was the eastern frontier city...
of Nakhon Nayok Province
Nakhon Nayok Province
Nakhon Nayok is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Chachoengsao and Pathum Thani....
, 140 km northeast of Bangkok.
Cadets
In every academic year, 8 to 10 scholarships are offered by Royal Thai Army for academically outstanding first year cadets to pursue their study in foreign Military Institutes.
At the end of the 4th year, cadets graduate with a bachelor's degree in their chosen fields of study, and are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in Royal Thai Army.
Major organizations within the academy are Academy Command-Headquarter, Cadet-Regimen Command-Headquarter, Academic Section, Military Education Section, Sport-Education Section, Services Section, and an infantry battalion supporting the academy. Cadets have 24/7 commitment to the academy with a set daily schedule. Regular schedule is started from approximately 0530am. After taking care of their personal hygiene, self study for 1 hr, and breakfast, then the academic schedule starts about 0800am til 1500. Either military training or sport training are scheduled every day from 1530 til about 1700. Self study is scheduled again after dinner from 1900 til 2100.
The annual military training starts in January after the 2nd academic semester is ended. Each class is scheduled for specific training. For examples, the 1st year cadets might be trained at the infantry center. The 3rd year cadets might get an airborne training. The fourth year cadets might get a ranger training.
Alumni
The Academy has produced the vast majority of Thailand's modern military leaders. Many CRMA graduators become Prime MinisterPrime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
s and political leaders. The followings are examples of distinguished alumni.
- General Prem TinsulanondaPrem TinsulanondaGeneral Prem Tinsulanonda is a retired Thai military officer who served as Prime Minister of Thailand from March 3, 1980 to August 4, 1988. He now serves as the Head of the Privy Council of the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej....
, Prime Minister from 1980 to 1988 - Field Marshal Plaek PibulsonggramPlaek PibulsonggramField Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :...
, graduated in 1914, Prime Minister from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957. - Field Marshal Sarit DhanarajataSarit DhanarajataField Marshal Sarit Thanarat , was a Thai career soldier who staged a coup in 1957, thereafter serving as Thailand's Prime Minister until his death in 1963. He was born in Bangkok, but grew up in his mother's home town in Lao-speaking northeastern Thailand and considered himself a northeasterner...
, Prime Minister and military dictator from 1957 to 1963. - General Surayud ChulanontSurayud ChulanontGeneral Surayud Chulanont is a Thai political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's Interim Government between 2006 and 2008...
, Prime Minister from 2006 to Jan 2008.
Not only well known in the military arena, many Chulachomlao Royal Military Academy (CRMA) alumni have been doing outstanding works in other sectors, e.g. businesses, academics, both domestic and foreign countries. In 1986, a CRMA alumnus got a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Bureau of Mines to implement a research work at Ames Laboratory. He went on to get a grant from the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) in 1993 to do research work at U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He is listed in The NRC Scientists Directory, and also published a number of refereed technical papers. His works are still cited by many research scientists.
External links
- http://www.crma.ac.th Official website of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy