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Royal Thai Marine Corps

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

Royal Thai Marine Corps
ราชนาวิกโยธินไทย
Royal Thai Marine Corps insignia
Founded2 March 1913
Country Thailand
Allegiance King of Thailand
Branch Royal Thai Navy
TypeMarines
Size23,000 active personnel[1]
Garrison/HQRTMC headquarters, Sattahip, Chonburi
Nickname(s)"นย." "Nor Yor" Abbreviation of Marines
Motto(s)กาย ใจ ชีวิต มอบเป็นราชพลี

Body Heart Life Give is 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		 Admiral Jirapol Wongwit
Commander
of the RTMC		 Vice Admiral Apichart Sapprasert
Insignia
Flag

History

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Historically, there was no distinction in 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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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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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 Indo-China turned violent, and the Marine Corps Department's "Chanthaburi Division" was engaged in action with the French Foreign Legion several times. During World War II, the Marine Corps sent troops to defend the southern border with Malaya and also guarded Phuket Province from possible attack.

After Imperial Japan's surrender in September 1945, Thai Marines helped disarm the Japanese Army at Baan Pong District in Ratchaburi Province. In 1950, when violence in Malaysia 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 Military and the Royal Thai Navy urged Thailand to reconsider.

 
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 Preah Vihear Temple, 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 Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.

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

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

Thai Marines 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.

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. A monument to their valor stands at the Royal Thai Navy base at Sattahip.

United Nations Peacekeeping Operations

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Organization

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Royal Thai Marine Corps Headquarters

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The 1st Marine Battalion, King's Guard
 
Royal Thai marines conduct amphibious assault at Hat Yao Beach in Thailand
 
Marine Service Support Regiment
 
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/Marine Special Force)
    • 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 Company[3]
  • RTMC: Marine Task Forces[3]

Miscellaneous

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Equipment

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Small arms

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Name Origin Type Caliber Notes
Pistol
M1911   United States
  Thailand		 Semi-automatic pistol .45 ACP [5]
Star Bonifacio Echeverria   Spain
  Thailand		 Semi-automatic pistol .45 ACP Royal Thai Army Ordnance Department Star Bonifacio Echeverria model M mod.[5]
Colt Commander   United States Semi-automatic pistol .45 ACP
.38 ACP		 Colt Combat Commander.[5]
Smith & Wesson Centennial   United States Revolver .38 ACP [5]
Star Bonifacio Echeverria   Spain Semi-automatic pistol .38 ACP model M mod.[5]
Carl Walther PPK   Germany Semi-automatic pistol .38 ACP
9×19mm Parabellum		 [5]
Browning Hi-Power   Belgium Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum Fabrique Nationale Browning High Power.[5]
Assault rifle
M16A1/A2/A3   United States
  Thailand		 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO [5]
M4A1/A3   United States Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO [5]
Bushmaster M4   United States Carbine 5.56×45mm NATO [5]
Colt AR-15   United States Carbine 5.56×45mm NATO [5]
IWI Tavor   Israel Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO IWI TAVOR TAR-21[6]
IWI X95   Israel Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO [5]
Heckler & Koch G36   Germany Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO Used by recon.[5][7][8][9][10]
Heckler & Koch HK416   Germany Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO Used by recon.[5][11][8][9][10]
FN SCAR   Belgium Automatic rifle 5.56×45mm NATO Used by recon.[5][12][8][9][10]
CQ M-311   China Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO [5]
Shotguns
Remington Model 870   United States Pump action Shotgun 12 gauge [5]
Remington Model 1100   United States Semi-automatic shotgun 12 gauge [5]
Sniper rifle
Sako Defence Tikka   Finland Sniper rifle 5.56×45mm
.338 Lapua		 [5]
Machine guns
Madsen M-50   Denmark Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum [5]
Micro Uzi   Israel Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum Micro Uzi[6]
M249   United States Light machine gun 5.56×45mm [5]
M60   United States General-purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm [5]
M2 Browning   United States Heavy machine gun 12.7×99mm [5]

Rocket, grenade and MANPAD

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Name Origin Type Notes
Rocket, grenade and MANPAD
M203   United States Grenade launcher [5]
Armbrust   Germany Anti-tank weapon [5]
M47 Dragon   United States Anti-tank guided missile [5]
BGM-71 TOW   United States Anti-tank guided missile Use in Humvee.[5]
M40A2   United States Recoilless rifle [5]
QW-18   China MANPAD [5]

Combat vehicles

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Name Origin Type Quantity Notes
Combat vehicles
VN-16   China Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle 3 3 ordered in June 2020[13] at approximate cost of US$13 million for the Royal Thai Marine Corps and delivered in May 2021.
AAV-7A1   United States Armoured personnel carrier 36 Variants include: AAVP-7A1, AAVC-7A1, AAVR-7A1. Upgraded locally by Chaiseri to match with the BAE Systems's AAV7A1 RAM/RS standard.[5][14]
BTR-3E1   Ukraine Armoured personnel carrier 12 [5]
AWAV 8x8   Thailand Armoured personnel carrier 7 [15]
HMV-150 Commando   United States Armoured personnel carrier 24 HMV-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.[16][5][17]
First Win   Thailand Armoured personnel carrier 6 [15]
DTI Black Widow Spider   Thailand Armoured personnel carrier 1 (+4) [17]
Phantom 380-X   Thailand Armoured personnel carrier 1 [18]
R600   Thailand Armoured personnel carrier 2 [17]
Sea Tiger AAPC   Thailand Infantry Fighting Vehicle 2+ [19]

Logistic vehicles

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Name Origin Type Notes
Logistic vehicles
Humvee   United States Military light utility vehicle RTMC use M998, M1097A2, M997, M1025, M1045A2, M966.[5]
M151   United States Military light utility vehicle RTMC use M151A2, M151A2 mounting TOW, M718A1, M825.[5]
Ford Ranger   United States
  Thailand		 Pickup truck [5]
M35 2-1/2 ton cargo truck   United States Military truck RTMC use M35A2, M50A2, M49A2, M109A2.[5]
Isuzu Forward   Japan
  Thailand		 Truck RTMC use SBR,TXD 4x2,TSD 4x4,TWD 6x6,HTW,FTR 4x4.[5]
M813   United States Military truck RTMC use M54A2,M543A2.[5]

Field artillery

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Name Origin Type Quantity Notes
Howitzer
M758 ATMG

(variant of the ATMOS 2000)

  Israel
  Thailand		 155mm Self-propelled howitzer 6 + 6 on order [20] [21]
GC-45 howitzer   Austria 155mm towed howitzer 18 [5]
M101A1 mod   United States 105 mm towed howitzer 6 Improve the Nexter LG1 caliber.[5]
M101A1   United States 105 mm towed howitzer 30 [5]
GIAT LG1   France 105 mm towed howitzer 15 [22]
Mortar
M120 mortar   Israel 120 mm Mortar Unknown [5]
M29A1 mortar   United States 81 mm Mortar Unknown [5]
M19 mortar   United States 60 mm Mortar Unknown [5]
M224 mortar   United States 60 mm Mortar Unknown [5]

Historical equipment

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Armoured fighting vehicles

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Name Origin Type Quantity Notes
LVT   United States Amphibious landing craft 16 [5]
M3 Half-track   United States Half-track armored personnel carrier 12+ [5]

Field artillery

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Name Origin Type Quantity Notes
M1A1   United States 75mm Pack howitzer 16+ [5]

Combat Engagements

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  • 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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Main article: Military ranks of the Thai armed forces

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-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 Cadet Officer
Officer
ranks 		                     
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-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-1
Enlisted
ranks 		              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. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av armedforce, thai (26 September 2019). "royal-thai-navy-ยุทโธปกรณ์ในกองทัพเรือ". thaiarmedforce.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  6. ^ a b Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "ผบ.ทร. โชว์ยิงอาวุธปืนประจำกายทหาร นย.ไทย". YouTube. 2 May 2018.
  7. ^ "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. ^ a b c "Royal Thai special force หน่วยรบพิเศษของไทย [HD]". YouTube. 10 October 2012.
  9. ^ a b c "DVIDS – Images – Multinational Recon Marines hone live-fire skills [Image 2 of 8]". DVIDS.
  10. ^ a b c http://www.thaifighterclub.org/webboard/17291/หน่วยที่ทำหน้าที่ในการต่อต้านการก่อการร้าย.html Archived September 7, 2015, at the Wayback Machine[bare URL]
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "Royal Thai Navy selects Norinco for AAV requirement".
  14. ^ "AAG_th บันทึกประจำวัน: ความคืบหน้าโครงการจัดหาอาวุธยุทโธปกรณ์ของกองทัพไทยในปี ๒๕๖๒-๙". 2019.
  15. ^ a b "Thai marines to get First Win IIs". shephardmedia.com. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  16. ^ Administrator. "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". www.armyrecognition.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  17. ^ a b c "AAG_th บันทึกประจำวัน: รถเกราะล้อยาง V-150 นาวิกโยธินไทยได้รับการติดตั้งป้อมปืน Remote". 2019.
  18. ^ "Weapon and Technology: ไทยทำ ไทยใช้ ไทยเจริญ ตอนที่ 2 Phantom-380X by Panus". 2018.
  19. ^ "สทป. ส่งมอบยานเกราะล้อยาง 8X8 พยัคฆ์ทะเล สำหรับปฏิบัติภารกิจของหน่วยบัญชาการนาวิกโยธิน ให้กับกองทัพเรือ ณ สนามฝึกกองทัพเรือ หมายเลข 16 บ้านจันทเขลม จังหวัดจันทบุรี". 2023.
  20. ^ "Janes | Latest defence and security news".
  21. ^ admin (2023-11-14). "Royal Thai Army Expands M758 Autonomous Truck-Mounted Gun (ATMG) Production". MilitaryLeak. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  22. ^ "Thailand to order 12 French Nexter LG1 Mk III 105mm towed guns". armyrecognition. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
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