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Royal Thai Marine Corps

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Royal Thai Marine Corps
หน่วยบัญชาการนาวิกโยธิน
Image
Royal Thai Marine Corps insignia
Founded2 March 1913
CountryImage Thailand
AllegianceImage King of Thailand
BranchImage Royal Thai Navy
TypeMarines
Size23,000 active personnel[1]
Garrison/HQRTMC headquarters, Sattahip, Chonburi
Nickname"นย." "Nor Yor" Abbreviation of Marines
Mottosกาย ใจ ชีวิต มอบเป็นราชพลี

Body Heart Life given as Royal Sacrifice,

เป็นนย. สักครั้งไซร้ จักฝังหฤทัยจนวายปราณ

Being a Nor Yor (Marine) Once Will Be Remembered Until Death. (Once a Marine, Always a Marine).
MarchRoyal Thai Marine Corps march
AnniversariesJuly 30
Commanders
Commander-
in-chief		Image Admiral Jirapol Wongwit
Commander
of the RTMC		Image Vice Admiral Apichart Sapprasert
Insignia
FlagImage

The Royal Thai Marine Corps or RTMC (Thai: หน่วยบัญชาการนาวิกโยธิน) are the marines of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN). The Royal Thai Marine Corps was founded in 1932, when the first battalion was formed with the assistance of the United States Marine Corps (USMC). It was expanded to a regiment in 1940 and was in action against communist guerrillas throughout the 1950s and 1960s. During the 1960s the USMC assisted in its expansion into a brigade. The RTMC saw action on the Malaysian border in the 1970s, and has now been increased to four brigades.

History

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Historically, there was no distinction in the Kingdom of Siam between soldiers and marines, with the army performing both functions. The first "Thahan Ma-Rine", meaning "Marine Soldiers", were formed in 1833, during the reign of King Rama III. "Ma-Rine" was simply a transliteration of the English word. The development of the modern Thai Marine Corps can be divided into three periods:

Early years

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Image
Sesquicentennial celebrations of The Revolution in 1932

The Marine Soldiers of the 19th and early 20th centuries were few in number and served mainly as a royal honor guard that provided security for the King whenever he traveled around the country.

On March 2, 1913, however, the Ministry of the Navy reorganized the Marine Soldiers. The Marine artillery platoon was attached to the Operation Command Department of Ships and Fortresses, while the Marine infantry platoon in Bangkok was attached to the Vehicle Division of the Department of the Navy Amphibious Assault Group.

The Revolution in 1932 transformed Thailand from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Shortly after, the Royal Thai Navy was reorganized, and the vehicle battalion became the Marine Corps Battalion of the Bangkok Navy Station. This is considered the first Marine Corps Battalion in Thailand.

Post–1932 Revolution (1932–1955)

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Image
Sesquicentennial celebrations of The Revolution in 1932

The 2nd Marine Corps Battalion was established at Sattahip in 1937. Two years later, the 2nd Battalion was expanded into the Marine Corps Department. Shortly after that, a border dispute with French Indochina turned violent, and the Marine Corps Department's "Chanthaburi Division" was engaged in action with the French Foreign Legion (FFL) several times. During World War II, the Marine Corps sent troops to defend the southern border with British Malaya and also guarded Phuket Province from possible attack.

After Empire of Japan's surrender in September 1945, Thai marines helped disarm the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) at Baan Pong District in Ratchaburi Province. In 1950, when communist violence in British Malaya spilled over into Thailand, Marine Corps Troop 6 was sent to help restore the peace in Narathiwat Province.

On June 29, 1951, the Thai government disbanded the Marine Corps Bureau, and Marine units were placed under the command the Army. This was in response to the Manhattan Rebellion in which part of the Navy (including Marines) rebelled against the ruling Army junta.[2] However, this was during the Korean War, and both the United States Armed Forces and the Royal Thai Navy urged Thailand to reconsider.

Image
Thai marines group in Communist insurgency in Thailand

New Age (1955–present)

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Four years later, the Thai Government acknowledged that a Marine Corps could perform a useful role in national defense. On July 30, 1955, the government created the Marine Corps Department. In 1961, tensions flared over the disputed temple of Preah Vihear, situated on the Thai side of a high cliff on the Cambodian border but shown on French maps as being in Cambodia. The Chanthaburi and Trat borders with Cambodia gave the Marine Corps Department its first assignment, safeguarding the coastline and southeastern border. Since 1970 the Marine Corps' Chanthaburi-Trat Task Force has been officially assigned the defense of this area.

During 1972 and 1973, Thai marines were involved in the "Operation Sam-Chai" anti-communist operations in Phetchabun Province and the "Pha-Phum" anti-communist operations in Chiang Rai Province. In 1973 and 1974, they took part in anti-communist operations in the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala.

Image
Royal Thai and US Marines eliminating hostile forces during a mock raid, 11 February 2011

Since 1975, RTMC have been assigned to Narathiwat as Reconnaissance Battalion (RECON). In 1977, they captured the communist camp at Krung-Ching in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, and remaining there until 1981.

RTMC today are responsible for border security in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces. They have fought communist insurgents in engagements at Baan Hard Lek, Baan Koat Sai, Baan Nhong Kok, Baan Kradook Chang, Baan Chumrark, and in the battle of Hard Don Nai in Nakhon Phanom Province.

Since 1982, RTMC has been training with international marines, especially the United States Marine Corps, under the codename Cobra Gold (CG), which allows RTMC to gain many experience in new strategies and tactics to adapt to the current military situation. Meanwhile, marines from other nations participating in the training will gain experience in combat tactics and survival in the tropical rain forest.

At present, since 2004, Many Thai marines have died serving their country, and they continue to do so today, especially in the southern border provinces currently affected by the South Thailand insurgency, although they are trained more intensively in anti-irregular forces and counterinsurgency in urban areas. In real situations, Thai marines will be more flexible in their tactics according to the situation to minimize losses. Despite suffering significant casualties and losses, the Thai marines performed well especially in the difficult to reach drainage basin and jungle zone.

One of the Thai marines' most famous works during the South Thailand insurgency is Battle of Bacho. Despite being outnumbered and surrounded by superior Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) insurgent forces, the Thai marines planned well to win the battle with no casualties. On the RKK side, a total of sixteen soldiers were killed during the attack on the 2nd Rifle Company Base, 32nd Task Force Narathiwat. This Battle of Bacho is considered the largest clash in which the death toll was from a group of insurgents who were fully armed.

A monument to their valor stands at the Royal Thai Navy base (aka Sattahip Naval Base) at Sattahip district, Chonburi province.

United Nations Peacekeeping Operations

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Organization

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Royal Thai Marine Corps Headquarters

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Image
The 1st Marine Battalion, King's Guard
Image
Royal Thai marines conduct amphibious assault at Hat Yao Beach in Thailand
Image
Marine Service Support Regiment
Image
Royal Thailand Marines during Exercise Cobra Gold 2011
  • Royal Thai Marine Corps Education Command[3]
    • Marine Corps School
    • Recruit Training Division
    • Support Division
  • RTMC: Marine Division[3]
    • RTMC: 1st Marine Regiment
      • RTMC: 1st Infantry Battalion King's Guard
      • RTMC: 2nd Infantry Battalion
      • RTMC: 3rd Infantry Battalion
    • RTMC: 2nd Marine Regiment
      • RTMC: 4th Infantry Battalion
      • RTMC: 5th Infantry Battalion
      • RTMC: 6th Infantry Battalion
    • RTMC: 3rd Marine Regiment
      • RTMC: 7th Infantry Battalion
      • RTMC: 8th Infantry Battalion
      • RTMC: 9th Infantry Battalion King's Guard
    • RTMC: Marine Artillery Regiment
      • RTMC: 1st Artillery Battalion
      • RTMC: 2nd Artillery Battalion
      • RTMC: Air Defense Artillery Battalion
      • RTMC: 4th Artillery Battalion
    • RTMC: Marine Service Support Regiment
      • RTMC: Medical Battalion
      • RTMC: Dental Battalion
      • RTMC: Maintenance Battalion
      • RTMC: Transport Battalion
      • RTMC: Marine Assault Amphibious Vehicle Support Company
      • RTMC: Marine Band Platoon
    • RTMC Reconnaissance Battalion also known as (Force Recon/Marine Special Operations Force/RECON)
    • RTMC: Marine Assault Amphibian Vehicle Battalion: equipped with AAV-7A1 and BTR-3E1
    • RTMC: Marine Tank Battalion: equipped with Type 69-ll MBT
      • RTMC: Anti-Tank Company
    • RTMC: Marine Combat Engineer Battalion:
    • RTMC: Marine Signals Battalion
    • RTMC: Marine Military Police Company
  • RTMC: Marine Security Regiment[3]
  • RTMC: Marine Psychological Operations Company[3]
  • RTMC: Marine Task Forces[3]

Miscellaneous

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Equipment

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Infantry Equipment

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Name Origin Image Notes
Combat Helmet
M1 Image United States Image Limited use, for ceremonial & training purpose only.
PASGT Image United States Image Standard issue.
MICH Image United States ImageImage Large amount, some unit in Special Force and Recon widely use.
Load-bearing vest, Bulletproof vest
ALICE equipment Image United States Image Large amount, widely used.
CIRAS Image United States Image Used by Recon.
Combat Uniform
ERDL Image United States Image
Image Thailand Image Thailand version also in use, replaced.
Digital Woodland Image Thailand ImageImage Standard issue.

Small arms

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Name Origin Type Caliber Notes
Pistol
M1911Image United States
Image Thailand		Semi-automatic pistol.45 ACP[5]
Star Bonifacio EcheverriaImage Spain
Image Thailand		Semi-automatic pistol.45 ACPRoyal Thai Army Ordnance Department Star Bonifacio Echeverria model M mod.[5]
Colt CommanderImage United StatesSemi-automatic pistol.45 ACP
.38 ACP		Colt Combat Commander.[5]
Smith & Wesson CentennialImage United StatesRevolver.38 ACP[5]
Star Bonifacio EcheverriaImage SpainSemi-automatic pistol.38 ACPmodel M mod.[5]
Carl Walther PPKImage GermanySemi-automatic pistol.38 ACP
9×19mm Parabellum		[5]
Browning Hi-PowerImage BelgiumSemi-automatic pistol9×19mm ParabellumFabrique Nationale Browning High Power.[5]
Assault rifle
M16A1/A2/A3Image United States
Image Thailand		Assault rifle5.56×45mm NATO[5]
M4A1/A3Image United StatesAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATO[5]
Bushmaster M4Image United StatesCarbine5.56×45mm NATO[5]
Colt AR-15Image United StatesCarbine5.56×45mm NATO[5]
IWI TavorImage IsraelAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATOIWI TAVOR TAR-21[6]
IWI X95Image IsraelAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATO[5]
Heckler & Koch G36Image GermanyAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATOUsed by recon.[5][7][8][9][10]
Heckler & Koch HK416Image GermanyAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATOUsed by recon.[5][7][8][9][10]
FN SCARImage BelgiumAutomatic rifle5.56×45mm NATOUsed by recon.[5][7][8][9][10]
CQ M-311Image ChinaAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATO[5]
Shotguns
Remington Model 870Image United StatesPump action Shotgun12 gauge[5]
Remington Model 1100Image United StatesSemi-automatic shotgun12 gauge[5]
Sniper rifle
Sako Defence TikkaImage FinlandSniper rifle5.56×45mm
.338 Lapua		[5]
Machine guns
Madsen M-50Image DenmarkSubmachine gun9×19mm Parabellum[5]
Micro UziImage IsraelSubmachine gun9×19mm ParabellumMicro Uzi[6]
M249Image United StatesLight machine gun5.56×45mm[5]
M60Image United StatesGeneral-purpose machine gun7.62×51mm[5]
M2 BrowningImage United StatesHeavy machine gun12.7×99mm[5]

Rocket, grenade and MANPAD

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Name Origin Type Notes
Rocket, grenade and MANPAD
M203Image United StatesGrenade launcher[5]
ArmbrustImage GermanyAnti-tank weapon[5]
M47 DragonImage United StatesAnti-tank guided missile[5]
BGM-71 TOWImage United StatesAnti-tank guided missileUse in Humvee.[5]
M40A2Image United StatesRecoilless rifle[5]
QW-18Image ChinaMANPAD[5]

Combat vehicles

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Name Origin Type Quantity Notes
Combat vehicles
VN-16Image ChinaAmphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle3 (+3)3 ordered in June 2020[11] at approximate cost of US$13 million for the Royal Thai Marine Corps and delivered in May 2021. 6 plan
AAV-7A1Image United StatesAmphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle12Variants include: AAVP-7A1, AAVC-7A1, AAVR-7A1. Upgraded locally by Chaiseri to match with the BAE Systems's AAV7A1 RAM/RS standard.[5][12]
AWAV 8x8Image ThailandAmphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle7+(7+7)8x8 manufactured by Chaiseri, it mounts a RCWS EM&E Guardian 1.5 (12.7mm) The Royal Thai Marine Corps purchased additional armor from Chaiseri Metal and Rubber Co., Ltd., at a price of 503,080,000 baht. Announced in 2026 (B.E. 2569).
R600Image ThailandAmphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle28x8[13]
Sea Tiger AAPCImage ThailandAmphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle18x8[14]
BTR-3E1Image UkraineArmoured personnel carrier128x8[5]
HMV-150 CommandoImage United StatesArmoured personnel carrier24HMV-150 has an 8.9 liters Cummins ISL engine with a new automatic transmission Allison 4500 with six gears, which were upgraded done by Panus Assembly.[15][5][13]
First WinImage ThailandArmoured personnel carrier84x4[16]
Phantom 380-XImage ThailandArmoured personnel carrier24x4[17]

Logistic vehicles

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Name Origin Type Notes
Logistic vehicles
HumveeImage United StatesMilitary light utility vehicleRTMC use M998, M1097A2, M997, M1025, M1045A2, M966.[5]
M151Image United StatesMilitary light utility vehicleRTMC use M151A2, M151A2 mounting TOW, M718A1, M825.[5]
Ford RangerImage United States
Image Thailand		Pickup truck[5]
Isuzu ForwardImage Japan
Image Thailand		TruckRTMC use SBR, TXD 4x2, TSD 4x4, TWD 6x6, HTW, FTR 4x4.[5]
M35 2-1/2 ton cargo truckImage United StatesMilitary truckRTMC use M35A2, M50A2, M49A2, M109A2.[5]
M813Image United StatesMilitary truckRTMC use M54A2, M543A2.[5]

Field artillery

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Name Origin Type Quantity Notes
Howitzer
M758 ATMG

(variant of the ATMOS 2000)

 Image Israel
Image Thailand		155mm Self-propelled howitzer12[18][19]
GC-45 howitzerImage Austria155mm towed howitzer18[5]
M101A1 modImage United States105 mm towed howitzer6Improve the Nexter LG1 caliber.[5]
M101A1Image United States105 mm towed howitzer30[5]
GIAT LG1Image France105 mm towed howitzer15[20]
Mortar
M120 mortarImage Israel120 mm MortarUnknown[5]
M29A1 mortarImage United States81 mm MortarUnknown[5]
M19 mortarImage United States60 mm MortarUnknown[5]
M224 mortarImage United States60 mm MortarUnknown[5]
Counter-battery radar
ARTHURImage Sweden Counter-battery radarUnknown[5]

Historical equipment

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Armoured fighting vehicles

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Name Origin Type Quantity Notes
LVTImage United StatesAmphibious landing craft16[5]
M3 Half-trackImage United StatesHalf-track armored personnel carrier12+[5]

Field artillery

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Name Origin Type Quantity Notes
M1A1Image United States75mm Pack howitzer16+[5]

Combat Engagements

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[edit]
  • Mercury Man is a 2006 Thai superhero martial arts action film. It is directed by Bhandit Thongdee with martial arts choreography by Panna Rittikrai of Ong-Bak, Tom-Yum-Goong and Born to Fight. Thai marines is control Afghan terrorist group in movies.

Rank structure

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Personnel of the RTMC use the uniform, ranks and insignia used by the personnel of the Royal Thai Navy, but with exceptions, such as:

  • Personnel of the RTMC wear combat helmets as part of their ceremonial uniforms instead of sailor caps or peaked caps (except officers who wear peaked caps)
  • Usually, Marines wear naval style insignia on the chest marks in their combat uniforms
  • Marines wear in semi-formal situations the Navy's khaki dress uniform


Equivalent
NATO Code		OF-10OF-9OF-8OF-7OF-6OF-5OF-4OF-3OF-2OF-1Cadet Officer
Officer
ranks		 Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image
จอมพลเรือ พลเรือเอก พลเรือโท พลเรือตรี พลเรือจัตวา1 นาวาเอก นาวาโท นาวาตรี เรือเอก เรือโท เรือตรี นักเรียนนายเรือ
Admiral of the Fleet Admiral Vice Admiral Rear Admiral Commodore
or
Rear Admiral
(lower half)1		 Captain Commander Lieutenant Commander Lieutenant Lieutenant
Junior Grade		 Sub Lieutenant Midshipman
Equivalent
NATO Code		OR-9OR-8OR-7OR-5OR-4OR-3OR-1
Enlisted
ranks		 Image Image Image Image Image Image Image No insignia
พันจ่าเอกพิเศษ พันจ่าเอก พันจ่าโท พันจ่าตรี จ่าเอก จ่าโท จ่าตรี พลทหาร
Master Chief Petty
Officer		 Senior Chief Petty
Officer		 Chief Petty
Officer		 Petty Officer
1st class		 Petty Officer
2nd Class		 Petty Officer
3rd Class		 Seaman Seaman apprentice

See also

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Notes

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  1. ↑ International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge. p. 296. ISBN 9781032508955.
  2. ↑ "Battlefield Bangkok: The Time the Navy Defied the Army – and Lost". 29 June 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 http://www.marines.navy.mi.th/index.php/main/index www.marines.navy.mi.th/index.php/main/
  4. ↑ "Fast on water". Retrieved 2021-08-15 – via The Free Library.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 "royal-thai-navy-ยุทโธปกรณ์ในกองทัพเรือ". Thai Armed Force. 26 September 2019. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  6. 1 2 Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "ผบ.ทร. โชว์ยิงอาวุธปืนประจำกายทหาร นย.ไทย". YouTube. 2 May 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 "From the picture is Royal Thai navy Recon Force Duties for security in southern Thailand. Use Hk G36C with EoTech 552, An/peq15 and an/pvs7 night vision goggles". Archived from the original on 2014-04-27. Retrieved 2014-04-27.
  8. 1 2 3 "Royal Thai special force หน่วยรบพิเศษของไทย [HD]". YouTube. 10 October 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 "DVIDS – Images – Multinational Recon Marines hone live-fire skills [Image 2 of 8]". DVIDS.
  10. 1 2 3 "หน่วยที่ทำหน้าที่ในการต่อต้านการก่อการร้าย". www.thaifighterclub.org. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Royal Thai Navy selects Norinco for AAV requirement". Janes.com.
  12. ↑ "AAG_th บันทึกประจำวัน: ความคืบหน้าโครงการจัดหาอาวุธยุทโธปกรณ์ของกองทัพไทยในปี ๒๕๖๒-๙". 2019.
  13. 1 2 "AAG_th บันทึกประจำวัน: รถเกราะล้อยาง V-150 นาวิกโยธินไทยได้รับการติดตั้งป้อมปืน Remote". 2019.
  14. ↑ "สทป. ส่งมอบยานเกราะล้อยาง 8X8 พยัคฆ์ทะเล สำหรับปฏิบัติภารกิจของหน่วยบัญชาการนาวิกโยธิน ให้กับกองทัพเรือ ณ สนามฝึกกองทัพเรือ หมายเลข 16 บ้านจันทเขลม จังหวัดจันทบุรี". 2023.
  15. ↑ "HMV-150 4x4 APC based on US V-150 Thailand navy Panus assembly 10807171 – weapons defence industry military technology UK – analysis focus army defence military industry army". Army Recognition. Archived from the original on 16 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  16. ↑ "Thai marines to get First Win IIs". shephardmedia.com. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  17. ↑ "Weapon and Technology: ไทยทำ ไทยใช้ ไทยเจริญ ตอนที่ 2 Phantom-380X by Panus". 2018.
  18. ↑ "Janes | Latest defence and security news".
  19. ↑ "Royal Thai Army Expands M758 Autonomous Truck-Mounted Gun (ATMG) Production". MilitaryLeak. 2023-11-14. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  20. ↑ "Thailand to order 12 French Nexter LG1 Mk III 105mm towed guns". armyrecognition. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  21. ↑ ""ตราดพิฆาตไพรี1" นาวิกโยธิน ผลักดัน ทหารเขมร ลุกล้ำเขตแดนไทย 3 จุด จนถอยหนีกระเจิง ทหารไทยปลอดภัยควบคุมพื้นที่ได้ทั้งหมด". www.khaosod.co.th (in Thai). 2025-07-26. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
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