|
|
|
|
Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters
|
| |
|
| |
The Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters ( or the RTARF HQ, is the joint headquarters of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, which is made up of the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Air Force. Formerly the Supreme Command Headquarters ( the name was changed in February 2008 to the "Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters". The Headquarters is divided into two branches the "Command Group" and the "Joint Group".
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters' Start a new discussion about 'Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
The Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters ( or the RTARF HQ, is the joint headquarters of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, which is made up of the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Air Force. Formerly the Supreme Command Headquarters ( the name was changed in February 2008 to the "Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters". The Headquarters is divided into two branches the "Command Group" and the "Joint Group". The Headquarters is headed by the Chief of Defence Forces (currently: General Songkitti Jaggabatara of the Royal Thai Army. The Chief is supported by several departments and directorates, including three Deputies Chiefs, representing the three branches. The Headquarters is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence of Thailand and the Defence Minister.
Function
The Headquarters is the supreme command of the armed forces, and therefore at the apex of the military in Thailand. The Headquarters is charged with the command and execution of the military operations in wartime. In peacetime it is charged with the readiness of the forces, in case of an attack. The Headquarters is also in charge of the security of the Royal Family and the King. Apart from commanding the armed forces during times of war, the Headquarters also command Thai forces overseas in Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance operations.
The Headquarters represents the three branches of the Thai Military:
History
Temporary command
Previously the Supreme Command Headquarters of the Royal Thai Armed Forces was only a temporary position and was only filled during wartime. This happened twice, during the Franco–Thai War in 1940 and again during the Greater East Asia War (Second World War: Pacific Theatre). Both of these times the Headquarters was commanded by Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram the Prime Minister of Thailand, who also created the Supreme Command system. Because the command and the position were to be deactivated once the conflict came to an end, the headquarters were staffed temporarily. Personnel were called from different existing units of the armed force, and returned to their branches when peace returned in 1945.
Permanent command
On the 27 September 1957, King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Head and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces ( appointed Field Marshal Sarit Dhanarajata the "Supreme Commander". The Defence Staff Department was also created; this became the commander's administrative office. Field Marshal Sarit became Prime Minister in 1959, he would eventually relinquish his command of the Supreme Command HQ on his deathbed in 1963. He was succeeded by Thanom Kittikachorn.
During the 1960s the Government saw the importance and necessity of the establishment of the permanent Supreme Command Headquarters for the preparation of forces and national defence. Therefore with the passing on the 16 March 1960 of the "Organization of Ministry of Defense Act of 1960" the Defence Staff Department was upgraded to the Supreme Command Headquarters, with additional upgrades of many units.
The Act provided the creation of 4 groups of agencies within the Supreme Command Headquarters, these are: Staff, Special Services, Combat Support, and Education. It later underwent several restructurings. Presently it is organized into 5 groups: Command Group, Joint Staff Group, Operations group, Special Services group, and Education group.
Reform
Apart from exercising command and control over military operations of the three armed services, the Supreme Command also has operational control of the Border Patrol Police.
On 2 February 2008 , the "Organization of Ministry of Defense Act, 2008" took effect, and the name "Supreme Command Headquarters" was then changed to the “Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters”. And the position of the Supreme Commander was changed to Chief of Defence Forces.
List of Commanders
Departments
The RTARF HQ comprises of 5 groups as follows:
Command Group:
- Office of the Chief of Defence Forces
- Headquarters Company
- Office of the Chief of Defence Forces' Secretary
- Offices of Inspector General
- Audit Office
- Royalty Security Command
- Medical Office
- Department of Border Affairs
- Counter Terrorist Operations Center
Joint Staff Group:
- Directorate of Joint Personnel
- Directorate of Joint Intelligence
- Directorate of Joint Operations
- Directorate of Joint Logistics
- Directorate of Joint Civil Affairs
- Directorate of Joint Communications
- Office of the Comptroller General
Operations Group:
- Armed Forces Development Command
- Armed Forces Security Center
Special Services Group:
- Adjutant General’s Department
- Finance Department
- Royal Thai Survey Department
- Support Service Department
- Military Information Technology Department
Education Group:
- National Defence Studies Institute
- Armed Forces Education Department
- Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School
Commanders
Chiefs of Defence Forces
The "Chief of Defence Forces" ( and the Deputy Chiefs of Defence Forces (are responsible primarily for the command and execution of military operations of the armed forces of Thailand.
Joint Forces
The "Chief of Joint Staff" ( and the Deputy Chiefs of Joint Staff (are the equivalents to the Military Chief of Staff of other nations. They are in charge of coordinating joint exercises and operations of the three branchs of the armed forces.
See Also
External Links
th:????????????????????
|
| |
|
|
