The military ranks of Thailand are the military insignia used by the Royal Thai Armed Forces. The officer ranks are influenced by the ranks of the United Kingdom and United States, while the non-commissioned ranks are influenced by those of the United Kingdom and France.[1]
Rank structure
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Head of the Armed Forces
[edit]Chom Tap (จอมทัพ) is Head of Forces. There can only be one Chom Thap at a time, and per the Constitution of Thailand, the title is held by the incumbent King of Thailand.[2]
"Chom Tap" is a title, not a rank, so while the title's holder (the King) may dress in the uniform of any service branches, the rank insignia worn is no different from other servicemen.
General Classifications and Details
[edit]Military Ranks can be classified deeper than officer-enlisted, in which there are four tiers of commissioned officers and two for noncommissioned officers. This tiering is consistent across all three service branches, only with different naming scheme.
In semi-formal manners, Commissioned officers (Nai Tahan Sanyabat, นายทหารสัญญาบัตร) are also called Nai Tahan (นายทหาร). Noncommissioned officers (Nai Tahan Pratuan, นายทหารประทวน) are also called Nai Sib (นายสิบ).
Ranks below Chom Pon use Thai alternate numbers. The ranks' name are a combination of the tier name, minus the word Nai (นาย), which means "Master", if any when present, and the numerals.
All Commissioned Officer ranks are granted by royal decree. Commossioned Officers below the General Officer ranks may be issued Waa Ti Yos (ว่าที่ยศ, "Acting Rank"), by the Minister of Defence. Acting rank holders are entitled to the same rights as the rank holders, including the rank insignia and decorations, only pending grant of rank by royal decree.
Commanding Officers with a rank no less than Lieutenant General, or the Minister of Defence, may issue noncommissioned officer ranks.
Dismissal from ranks can only be done by those with the authority to issue them, that is, a royal decree for commissioned officer ranks, and commanding officers (Lieutenant General or higher) for noncommissioned officer ranks.
Flag Officers
[edit]Chom Pon (จอมพล) is the highest rank, and is the only rank in its tier (Chom Pon-tier ranks). It is the five-star officer rank. In present, it is only worn by the King of Thailand. No officers have been appointed to this rank since 1973. The five-star rank have never existed throughout history of Royal Thai Police.
Directly below Chom Pon-tier is the tier of Nai Pon (นายพล), or General officers. There are four ranks within this tier, ranging from four stars to one star. However, only the top three ranks (General, Lieutenant General, Major General) are currently used, and the one-star rank of Brigadier General (and the equivalent ranks in the Navy and Air Force) is not awarded to any officer. The Royal Thai Police historically had a one-star rank, but has since been abolished.
In present, General officers are only promoted as they are assigned to an office. Acting Ranks are not issued. This practice is consistent throughout the Armed Forces and Police Force.
Commissioned Officers
[edit]Officer ranks below the Nai Pon are Nai Pan (นายพัน) and Nai Roi (นายร้อย) ranks, each tiers with three ranks.
Officers with the Colonel rank are classified further into regular paygrade and "Special paygrade". This "Special paygrade" is equivalent to the general officer paygrade, Colonels receving this paygrade are considered senior to regular-paygrade Colonels, and can be identified with a special insignia that is also worn by General officers. This practice of Special paygrade Colonel is also consistent into the Navy, Air Force and Police Force, however, only the Army and Police branch have special insignia for Special paygrade recipients.
Noncommissioned Officers
[edit]Below the officer ranks are the enlisted ranks. There are two tiers among the enlisted ranks, Ja Nai Sib (จ่านายสิบ) and Nai Sib (นายสิบ), a term also colloquial to NCOs in general. There are also three ranks within each tier.
For Sergeant Major First Class, there are two paygrades, the regular paygrade and the special paygrade. The special paygrade SM1 are considered senior to regular paygrade counterpart, and again, this practice is consistent into the Navy and Air Force. The Police Force, however, has a separate rank for the higher paygrade.
Enlisted Private, after completing the term of mandatory conscription, may be temporarily enlisted as a noncommissioned officer, known as สิบตรีกองประจำการ.
Private
[edit]The Private rank name in Thai is consistent across all three service branches, which is Phon Tahan (พลทหาร). It is also the only rank for Private.
It is also possible for the Police Force to enlist conscripts, in lieu of mandatory military consription in Thailand. However, this practice is currently abandoned. Instead, all police personnel are required to go through examinations and attend dedicated training facilities (Royal Thai Police Cadet Academy for Officers, and Training Centers for Enlisted). Upon graduations, graduates are commissioned or enlisted into the Police Force, as Police Second Lieutenant (for officer) or Police Lance Corporal (for Enlisted).
Commissioned officer ranks
[edit]The rank insignia of commissioned officers.
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
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 Royal Thai Army[3] |
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| จอมพล Chom phon |
พลเอก Phon ek |
พลโท Phon tho |
พลตรี Phon tri |
พันเอก Phan ek |
พันโท Phan tho |
พันตรี Phan tri |
ร้อยเอก Roi ek |
ร้อยโท Roi tho |
ร้อยตรี Roi tri | |||||||||||||||
| Anglicised version[3] |
Field marshal | General | Lieutenant general | Major general | Colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | Second lieutenant | ||||||||||||||
 Royal Thai Navy[3] |
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| จอมพลเรือ Chom phon ruea |
พลเรือเอก Phon ruea ek |
พลเรือโท Phon ruea tho |
พลเรือตรี Phon ruea tri |
นาวาเอก Nawa ek |
นาวาโท Nawa tho |
นาวาตรี Nawa tri |
เรือเอก Ruea ek |
เรือโท Ruea tho |
เรือตรี Ruea tri | |||||||||||||||
| Anglicised version[3] |
Admiral of the fleet | Admiral | Vice admiral | Rear admiral | Captain | Commander | Lieutenant commander | Lieutenant | Lieutenant junior grade | Sub lieutenant | ||||||||||||||
 Royal Thai Air Force[3] |
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| จอมพลอากาศ Chom phon akat |
พลอากาศเอก Phon akat ek |
พลอากาศโท Phon akat tho |
พลอากาศตรี Phon akat tri |
นาวาอากาศเอก Nawa akat ek |
นาวาอากาศโท Nawa akat tho |
นาวาอากาศตรี Nawa akat tri |
เรืออากาศเอก Ruea akat ek |
เรืออากาศโท Ruea akat tho |
เรืออากาศตรี Ruea akat tri | |||||||||||||||
| Anglicised version[3] |
Marshal of the Air Force | Air chief marshal | Air marshal | Air vice marshal | Group captain | Wing commander | Squadron leader | Flight lieutenant | Flying officer | Pilot officer | ||||||||||||||
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
Student officer ranks
[edit]| Rank group | Student officer | ||||
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| Royal Thai Navy[3]
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| ชั้นปีที่ 5 Chận pī thī̀ 5 |
ชั้นปีที่ 4 Chận pī thī̀ 4 |
ชั้นปีที่ 3 Chận pī thī̀ 3 |
ชั้นปีที่ 2 Chận pī thī̀ 2 |
ชั้นปีที่ 1 Chận pī thī̀ 1 | |
Other ranks
[edit]The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Thai Army[3] |
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| จ่าสิบเอก Cha sip ek |
จ่าสิบโท Cha sip tho |
จ่าสิบตรี Cha sip tri |
สิบเอก Sip ek |
สิบโท Sip tho |
สิบตรี Sip tri |
พลทหาร Phon thahan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anglicised version[3] |
Sergeant major 1st class | Sergeant major 2nd class | Sergeant major 3rd class | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance corporal | Private | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Royal Thai Navy[3] |
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No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| พันจ่าเอก Phan cha ek |
พันจ่าโท Phan cha tho |
พันจ่าตรี Phan cha tri |
จ่าเอก Cha ek |
จ่าโท Cha tho |
จ่าตรี Cha tri |
พลทหาร Phon thahan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anglicised version |
Chief petty officer first class | Chief petty officer second class | Chief petty officer third class | Petty officer first class | Petty officer second class | Petty officer third class | Seaman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Royal Thai Air Force[3] |
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No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| พันจ่าอากาศเอก Phan cha akat ek |
พันจ่าอากาศโท Phan cha akat tho |
พันจ่าอากาศตรี Phan cha akat tri |
จ่าอากาศเอก Cha akat ek |
จ่าอากาศโท Cha akat tho |
จ่าอากาศตรี Cha akat tri |
พลทหาร Phon thahan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anglicised version |
Flight Sergeant first class | Flight Sergeant second class | Flight Sergeant third class | Sergeant | Corporal | Senior Airman | Airman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There is a special rank (Army: Special Sergeant Major 1st Class (Thai: จ่าสิบเอกพิเศษ, romanized: Cha Sip Ek Phiset); navy: Fleet chief petty officer (Thai: พันจ่าเอกพิเศษ, romanized: Phan cha ek phiset); air force: Special flight sergeant 1st class (Thai: พันจ่าอากาศเอกพิเศษ, romanized: Phan cha akat ek phiset)) which is an honorary rank given to senior enlisted members who are deserving of recognition above and beyond that of the highest enlisted rank. There is no difference in the rank insignia worn, and they do not outrank the normal highest enlisted rank, although in a group situation they will normally be assigned control. They receive a higher salary.[citation needed]
Royal Thai Police
[edit]The Royal Thai Police (RTP) is sometimes considered as the fourth armed service of Thailand (๔ เหล่าทัพ), but reports directly to the Prime Minister rather than to the Ministry of Defense.
The Royal Thai Police share the same rank system as the Royal Thai Army but the particularities of the police are the star representing the commissioned officer and the crown over the star. The Royal Thai Police uses the eight-pointed silver star and the silver crown with a halo on top, while the Royal Thai Army uses the five-pointed gold star and the gold crown with no halo for its officer shoulder boards.
Officers
[edit]| Rank group | General/flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Royal Thai Police |
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| พลตำรวจเอก Phon Tam Ruad Ek |
พลตำรวจโท Phon Tam Ruad Tho |
พลตำรวจตรี Phon Tam Ruad Tri |
พันตำรวจเอก Phan Tam Ruad Ek |
พันตำรวจโท Phan Tam Ruad Tho |
พันตำรวจตรี Phan Tam Ruad Tri |
ร้อยตำรวจเอก Roi Tam Ruad Ek |
ร้อยตำรวจโท Roi Tam Ruad Tho |
ร้อยตำรวจตรี Roi Tam Ruad Tri |
นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abbreviation[4] | พล.ต.อ. | พล.ต.ท. | พล.ต.ต. | พ.ต.อ. | พ.ต.ท. | พ.ต.ต. | ร.ต.อ. | ร.ต.ท. | ร.ต.ต. | นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anglicised version | Police General | Police Lieutenant General | Police Major General | Police Colonel | Police Lieutenant Colonel | Police Major | Police Captain | Police Lieutenant | Police 2nd Lieutenant | Police Cadet Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UK equivalent Army ranks/Police ranks | General Commissioner |
Lieutenant General Deputy Commissioner |
Major General Assistant Commissioner |
Colonel Chief Superintendent |
Lieutenant Colonel Divisional Superintendent |
Major Superintendent |
Captain Chief Inspector |
Lieutenant Inspector |
Second Lieutenant Subdivisional Inspector |
Officer Cadet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-Commissioned Officers
[edit]| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Royal Thai Police |
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| ดาบตำรวจ Dap Tamruat |
จ่าสิบตำรวจ Cha Sip Tamruat |
สิบตำรวจเอก Sip Tamruat Ek |
สิบตำรวจโท Sip Tamruat Tho |
สิบตำรวจตรี Sip Tamruat Tri |
พลตำรวจ Phon Tamruat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| English | Police sergeant major | Police Master sergeant | Police sergeant | Police corporal | Police lance corporal | Police constable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Volunteer Defense Corps (Thailand)
[edit]The Volunteer Defense Corps (กองอาสารักษาดินแดน; abbreviated VDC) is a Thai paramilitary under the authority of the Department Of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior.[5] It was founded in 1954 to provide extra military support to the Royal Thai Armed Forces and to protect local civilians living near Thailand's borders. Its ranks mirror those of both the RTA and the RTP.[6]
- Officers
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
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 Volunteer Defense Corps |
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| นายกองใหญ่ Nāyk xng h̄ıỵ̀ |
นายกองเอก Nāyk xng xek |
นายกองโท Nāyk xng tho |
นายกองตรี Nāyk xng trī |
นายหมวดเอก Nāy h̄mwd xek |
นายหมวดโท Nāy h̄mwd tho |
นายหมวดตรี Nāy h̄mwd trī | ||||||||||||||||||
| VDC General | VDC Colonel | VDC Lieutenant Colonel | VDC Major | VDC Captain | VDC First Lieutenant | VDC Second Lieutenant | ||||||||||||||||||
- Enlisted
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Volunteer Defense Corps |
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| นายหมู่ใหญ่ Nāy h̄mū̀ h̄ıỵ̀ |
นายหมู่เอก Nāy h̄mū̀ xek |
นายหมู่โท Nāy h̄mū̀ tho |
นายหมู่ตรี Nāy h̄mū̀ trī |
สมาชิกเอก S̄māchik xek |
สมาชิกโท S̄māchik tho |
สมาชิกตรี S̄māchik trī |
สมาชิก S̄māchik | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VDC Sergeant major | VDC Sergeant | VDC Corporal | VDC Lance corporal | VDC Member 1st class | VDC Member 2nd class | VDC Member 3rd class | VDC Member | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Haseman, John B. (1989). "National Security". In LePoer, Barbara Leitch (ed.). Thailand: a country study. Area Handbook (6th ed.). Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. p. 265. LCCN 88600485. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ^ "Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters English version". Archived from the original on 2009-04-18. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "เครื่องหมายยศทหาร" [Military Rank Insignia]. navedu.navy.mi.th (in Thai). Thai Naval Education Department. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ "Police Ranks". Archived from the original on 2018-12-21., กรมการกงสุล กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ
- ^ "อาศัยอํานาจตามความในมาตรา ๘ ฉ แห่งพระราชบัญญัติระเบียบบริหารราชการแผ่นดิน" [Pursuant to the powers under Section 8 of the Government Administration Act] (PDF). www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th (in Thai).
- ^ "63 Years of Volunteer Defense Corps (Thailand) in 2017 News page 78-79". Archived from the original on 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
External links
[edit]
- Royal Thai Army (Official website - Thai version)
- Royal Thai Air force (Official website - English version)
- Royal Thai Navy (Official website - English version)
- Thai Ministry of Defence (Official website - English version)
- Royal Thai Police (Official website)
