Royal Thai Marine Corps
Encyclopedia
The Royal Thai Marine Corps ( are the marines of the Royal Thai Navy
, the corps was founded in 1932 when the first battalion was formed with the assistance of the USMC. It expanded to a regiment in 1940 and was in action against communist guerrillas throughout the 1950s and 1960s. During the 1960s the USMC again helped with expansion to a brigade. The RTMC saw further action on the Malaysian border in the 1970s, where it then expanded two brigades.
. The word "Ma-Rine" is a direct translation of the English word, "Marine". The development of the Marine Corps can be divided into three periods:
On March 2, 1913, the Ministry of the Navy set up a new unit that caused the Marines to be organized as follows:
The vehicle division played a very important role because Marines were included in this battalion. The Revolution in 1932
replaced Thailand's absolute monarchy with a democratic regime which also caused a reorganization of the Navy. As part of this reorganization, the vehicle battalion became the Marine Corps Battalion under the Bangkok Navy Station. This Battalion is reguarded as the first Marine Corps Battalion in Thailand.
Division" fought several times along this border region. During World War II
, the Marine Corps fought in Chonburi Province
and sent troops to protect the Malayu State Region in the South of Thailand and also Phuket Province
.
After WWII ended, the Marines were used to help disarm the Japanese Army
at Baan Pong District in Ratchaburi Province
. In 1950 when there was an uprising in the South of Thailand, Marine Corps Troop 6 was sent to help restore the peace in Narathiwat Province
.
On June 29, 1951, the government disbanded the Marine Corps Bureau and scattered the Marines into other departments for four years. During that time, the Cold War
between Western Democracies and Eastern Communist Nations started to grow and become a more serious concern. Luckily, the Thai Marine Corps were supported by both the United States Military and also the Royal Thai Navy
.
. This tension along the Chanthaburi
and Trat
borders with Cambodia gave the Marine Corps one of their first assignments. Since 1970, the Chanthaburi-Trat Task Force has been officially protecting this area along the Cambodian border.
From 1972 to 1973, the Marines were involved in the "Sam-Chai" anti-communist operations in Phetchabun Province
and the "Pha-Phum" anti-communist operations in Chiang Rai Province
. From 1973 to 1974, the Marines were involved in anti-communist operations in the southern provinces of Pattani
, Yala
and Narathiwat.
Since the year 1975, Marines have been working in Narathiwat from then til now by setting up the special forces
marine corps in the South for suppressing the communists. In 1977, the Marines captured the communist camp at Krung-Ching in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and stayed there until pulling back in 1981.
The Royal Thai Navy has also sent the Marines to help in suppressing the many violent demonstrations and coups in Bangkok. The Marines are still responsible for border security in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces. They have also fought in the battles of Baan Hard Lek, Baan Koat Sai, Baan Nhong Kok, Baan Kradook Chang, Baan Chumrark and also in the North East Region in the battle of Hard Don Nai in Nakhon Phanom Province
.
Many Thai Marines have died in past wars and continue to be wounded and killed in active service today. In Sattahip, the Marine Corps has built a monument to all Marines as a memorial to those who have died bravely in battle as Royal Thai Marines.
Royal Thai Navy
The Royal Thai Navy is the navy of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, it was established in the late 19th century. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse is "The Father of Royal Thai Navy". Similar to the organizational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the...
, the corps was founded in 1932 when the first battalion was formed with the assistance of the USMC. It expanded to a regiment in 1940 and was in action against communist guerrillas throughout the 1950s and 1960s. During the 1960s the USMC again helped with expansion to a brigade. The RTMC saw further action on the Malaysian border in the 1970s, where it then expanded two brigades.
History
According to Thai military history, the "Thahan Ma-Rine", or "Marine Soldiers" were established in 1833 during the reign of King Rama the ThirdJessadabodindra
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Jessadabodindra Phra Nangklao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama III , was the third monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 21 July 1824 to 2 April 1851. He succeeded his father, Buddha Loetla Nabhalai, as the King of Siam...
. The word "Ma-Rine" is a direct translation of the English word, "Marine". The development of the Marine Corps can be divided into three periods:
Former Age
The Marine Corps, or Marine Soldiers, in the former age were mostly a Royal Honor Guard and involved with the security of the King when he travelled around the country.On March 2, 1913, the Ministry of the Navy set up a new unit that caused the Marines to be organized as follows:
- The Marine Canon Platoon was moved to be attached to the Operation Command Department of Ships and Fortresses.
- The Marine Soldiers Infantry Platoon in BangkokBangkokBangkok 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...
was moved to be attached to the Vehicle Division which was in control of the Department of the Navy Amphibious Assault Group.
The vehicle division played a very important role because Marines were included in this battalion. The Revolution in 1932
Politics of Thailand
The politics of Thailand are currently conducted within the framework of a constitutional monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government and a hereditary monarch is head of state. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislative branches.Thai kingdoms and late...
replaced Thailand's absolute monarchy with a democratic regime which also caused a reorganization of the Navy. As part of this reorganization, the vehicle battalion became the Marine Corps Battalion under the Bangkok Navy Station. This Battalion is reguarded as the first Marine Corps Battalion in Thailand.
Post Revolution (1932 - 1955)
In the year 1937, the 2nd Marine Corps Battalion was set up at Sattahip. This unit was responsible for setting up the main Marine Corps Department at Sattahip in 1939. Until 1940, there was a dispute along the eastern border of Thailand with French Indo-China. The Marine Corps Department "ChanthaburiChanthaburi
Chanthaburi ) is a town in the east of Thailand, at the banks of the Chanthaburi River. It is the capital of the Chanthaburi Province and the Mueang Chanthaburi district....
Division" fought several times along this border region. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Marine Corps fought in Chonburi Province
Chonburi Province
Chonburi is a province of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi and Rayong. To the west is the Gulf of Thailand. The eastern seaboard is heavily industrialized and underpinned by shipping, transportation, tourism, and manufacturing industries, and second to only Bangkok...
and sent troops to protect the Malayu State Region in the South of Thailand and also Phuket Province
Phuket Province
Phuket , formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon , is one of the southern provinces of Thailand...
.
After WWII ended, the Marines were used to help disarm the Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
at Baan Pong District in Ratchaburi Province
Ratchaburi Province
Ratchaburi is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom,Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi...
. In 1950 when there was an uprising in the South of Thailand, Marine Corps Troop 6 was sent to help restore the peace in Narathiwat Province
Narathiwat Province
Narathiwat is one of the southern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Yala and Pattani. To the south it borders the Malaysian state of Kelantan. The southern railway line ends in this province that is one of the nation’s five provinces that borders Malaysia. The name of this...
.
On June 29, 1951, the government disbanded the Marine Corps Bureau and scattered the Marines into other departments for four years. During that time, the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
between Western Democracies and Eastern Communist Nations started to grow and become a more serious concern. Luckily, the Thai Marine Corps were supported by both the United States Military and also the Royal Thai Navy
Royal Thai Navy
The Royal Thai Navy is the navy of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, it was established in the late 19th century. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse is "The Father of Royal Thai Navy". Similar to the organizational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the...
.
New Age (1955 - present)
As the Cold War progressed, the Thai Government and Royal Thai Navy realized the important role of the Thai Marine Corps and reestablished the Marine Corps Department on July 30, 1955 and started a new era for the Marines. In 1961, tensions flared over Preah Vihear Temple on the Cambodian borderCambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
. This tension along the Chanthaburi
Chanthaburi
Chanthaburi ) is a town in the east of Thailand, at the banks of the Chanthaburi River. It is the capital of the Chanthaburi Province and the Mueang Chanthaburi district....
and Trat
Trat
Trat is a town in Thailand, capital of Trat Province and the Mueang Trat district. The town is located in the east of Thailand, at the mouth of the Trat River, near the border with Cambodia.-Travel and Accommodation:...
borders with Cambodia gave the Marine Corps one of their first assignments. Since 1970, the Chanthaburi-Trat Task Force has been officially protecting this area along the Cambodian border.
From 1972 to 1973, the Marines were involved in the "Sam-Chai" anti-communist operations in Phetchabun Province
Phetchabun Province
Phetchabun is one of the northern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Loei, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Lopburi, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit and Phitsanulok.- Geography :...
and the "Pha-Phum" anti-communist operations in Chiang Rai Province
Chiang Rai Province
Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Phayao, Lampang and Chiang Mai. In the north it borders Shan State of Myanmar and Bokeo of Laos.-Geography:...
. From 1973 to 1974, the Marines were involved in anti-communist operations in the southern provinces of Pattani
Pattani
Pattani may refer to* Pattani Province, in southern Thailand* Pattani , in southern Thailand* Pattani , which includes the above province** Pattani Kingdom, a former semi-independent kingdom...
, Yala
Yala Province
Yala is the southernmost province of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat. Yala is the only land-locked province in the south of Thailand...
and Narathiwat.
Since the year 1975, Marines have been working in Narathiwat from then til now by setting up the special forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
marine corps in the South for suppressing the communists. In 1977, the Marines captured the communist camp at Krung-Ching in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and stayed there until pulling back in 1981.
The Royal Thai Navy has also sent the Marines to help in suppressing the many violent demonstrations and coups in Bangkok. The Marines are still responsible for border security in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces. They have also fought in the battles of Baan Hard Lek, Baan Koat Sai, Baan Nhong Kok, Baan Kradook Chang, Baan Chumrark and also in the North East Region in the battle of Hard Don Nai in Nakhon Phanom Province
Nakhon Phanom Province
Nakhon Phanom is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon and Bueng Kan. To the north-east it borders Khammouan of Laos.-Geography:...
.
Many Thai Marines have died in past wars and continue to be wounded and killed in active service today. In Sattahip, the Marine Corps has built a monument to all Marines as a memorial to those who have died bravely in battle as Royal Thai Marines.
Organization
- RTMC division headquarters;
- 2 infantry brigades (1st and 2d) with 6 Marine battalions,
- 1 Anti-Aircraft artillery regiment,
- 1 assault battalion,
- 1 reconnaissance battalion (formed in 1965, includes wardogs and V-150 armored vehicles).
Equipment
- Main battle tankMain battle tankA main battle tank , also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the heavy direct fire role of many modern armies. They were originally conceived to replace the light, medium, heavy and super-heavy tanks. Development was spurred onwards in the Cold War with the development...
s: 5 Type 69-IIType 69/79The Type 69 and Type 79 are two models of Chinese main battle tanks. Both developments of the Type 59 , they were the first independently-developed main battle tanks by China. Their lineage can be seen through the distinct gap between the first and second roadwheels... - Amphibious VehicleAmphibious warfareAmphibious warfare is the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. In previous eras it stood as the primary method of delivering troops to non-contiguous enemy-held terrain...
s: 40 AAV7A1 (LVTP-7) amphibious tractor - Armoured personnel carrierArmoured personnel carrierAn armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
: 24 Cadillac Gage Commando V150 and 12 BTR-3EBTR-3The BTR-3 is an 8×8-wheeled armored personnel carrier was designed by Adcom Manufacturing from UAE in 2000/2001 and manufactured by KMDB in Ukraine. The most significant of exports was to the Myanmar Army which acquired 1,000 BTR-3Us, to be assembled in Myanmar... - Towed ArtilleryArtilleryOriginally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
: 155 mm: 42 GHN-45AGC-45 howitzerThe GC-45 is a 155 mm howitzer designed by Gerald Bull's Space Research Corporation in the 1970s. Versions were produced by a number of companies during the 1980s, notably in Austria and South Africa...
, 12 155 mm GC-45GC-45 howitzerThe GC-45 is a 155 mm howitzer designed by Gerald Bull's Space Research Corporation in the 1970s. Versions were produced by a number of companies during the 1980s, notably in Austria and South Africa... - ATGM: BGM-71E/F TOW-2A/2BBGM-71 TOWThe BGM-71 TOW is an anti-tank missile. "BGM" is a weapon classification that stands for "Multiple Environment , Surface-Attack , Missile ". "TOW" is an acronym that stands for "Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire command data link, guided missile"...
and M47 DragonM47 DragonThe M47 Dragon is an American shoulder-fired, man-portable anti-tank missile system. It has since been phased out in US service, in favor of the newer FGM-148 Javelin system.-Description:... - SAMSurface-to-air missileA surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
: NH-5A and QW-18QW-1 VanguardThe People's Republic of China developed QW-1 Vanguard is an all-aspect man-portable surface to air missile, from which a series of missiles were developed.-QW-1:...
MANPADs,
See also
- United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
- SEAL Team Six
- US Navy SEAL
- CIA Special Activities DivisionSpecial Activities DivisionThe Special Activities Division is a division in the United States Central Intelligence Agency's National Clandestine Service responsible for covert operations known as "special activities"...
- MARSOC
- Marine Force Recon