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
ราชนาวิกโยธินแห่งราชอาณาจักรไทย
Royal Thai Marine Corps insignia
Founded	30 July 1959
Country	Thailand
Branch	Royal Thai Navy
Type	Marines Combined arms
Role	Ground warfare Amphibious warfare
Size	23,000 Active personnel[1]
Garrison/HQ	RTMC headquarters, Sattahip, Chonburi
Nickname(s)	"Nor Yor" Marines
Motto(s)	Once a Marine, Always a Marine The Few, The Proud
March	Royal Thai Marine Corps march
Anniversaries	July 30
Engagements	Haw wars World War II Franco–Thai War Pacific War Malayan Campaign Cold War Korean War Vietnam War Communist insurgency in Thailand Communist insurgency in Malaysia Third Indochina War Cambodian–Vietnamese War Vietnamese border raids in Thailand Thai–Laotian Border War Persian Gulf War 1999 East Timorese crisis International Force East Timor Global War on Terrorism Southern Insurgency Battle of Bacho (2013) United Nations peacekeeping United Nations Iraq–Kuwait Observation Mission United Nations Operation in Burundi United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur United Nations Mission in Sudan
Commanders
Commander- in-chief	Admiral Chatchai Sriworakan
Commander of the RTMC	Vice Admiral Ronnarong Sittinan

History

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

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)

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.

Surprisingly, on June 29, 1951, the Thai government disbanded the Marine Corps Bureau, and the Marines were distributed into naval units. However, this was during the Korean War, and both the United States Military and the Royal Thai Navy urged Thailand to reconsider.

New Age (1955–present)

Thai marines group in Communist insurgency in Thailand

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 lost their lives 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

• United Nations Iraq–Kuwait Observation Mission
  • 1st Combat Engineer Company in Iraq
• United Nations Operation in Burundi
  • 1st Combat Engineer Company in Burundi
• United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur
• United Nations Mission in Sudan
  • 1st Force Reconnaissance Company in Sudan
  • 1st Armored Company in Sudan

Organization

Royal Thai Marine Corps Headquarters

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[2]
  • Marine Corps School
  • Recruit Training Division
  • Support Division
• RTMC: Marine Division [2]
  • 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[2]
• RTMC: Marine Psychological Company[2]
• RTMC: Marine Task Forces[2]
  • RTMC: Marine 61st Special Operations Center
  • RTMC: Marines Task Unit 411
  • RTMC: Paramilitary Marine Regiment

Miscellaneous

• The Royal Thai Marine Corps uses the Subskimmer[3]

Equipment

Small arms

Royal Thai Marine prepare for amphibious assault training during CARAT, 2013

Royal Thai Marine engages targets during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012

Royal Thai marines conduct amphibious assault during Cobra Gold, 2011

Royal Thai Marine land ashore during an amphibious assault as part of CARAT 2011

Name	Origin	Type	Caliber	Notes
Pistol
M1911	Thailand  United States	Semi-automatic pistol	.45 ACP	[4]
Star Bonifacio Echeverria	Thailand  Spain	Semi-automatic pistol	.45 ACP	Royal Thai Army Ordnance Department Star Bonifacio Echeverria model M mod.[4]
Colt Commander	United States	Semi-automatic pistol	.45 ACP .38 ACP	Colt Combat Commander.[4]
Smith & Wesson Centennial	United States	Semi-automatic pistol	.38 ACP	[4]
Star Bonifacio Echeverria	Spain	Semi-automatic pistol	.38 ACP	model M mod.[4]
Carl Walther PPK	Germany	Semi-automatic pistol	.38 ACP 9×19mm Parabellum	[4]
Browning Hi-Power	Belgium	Semi-automatic pistol	9×19mm Parabellum	Fabrique Nationale Browning High Power.[4]
Assault rifle
M16A1/A2/A3	Thailand  United States	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	[4]
M4A1/A3	United States	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	[4]
Bushmaster M4	United States	Carbine	5.56×45mm NATO	[4]
Colt AR-15	United States	Carbine	5.56×45mm NATO	[4]
IWI Tavor	Israel	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	IWI TAVOR TAR-21[5]
IWI X95	Israel	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	[4]
Heckler & Koch G36	Germany	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Used by recon.[4][6][7][8][9]
Heckler & Koch HK416	Germany	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Used by recon.[4][10][11][12][13]
FN SCAR	Belgium	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Used by recon.[4][14][15][16][17]
CQ M-311	China	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	[4]
Shotguns
Remington Model 870	United States	Shotgun	12 gauge	[4]
Remington Model 1100	United States	Shotgun	12 gauge	[4]
Sniper rifle
Sako Defence Tikka	Finland	Sniper rifle	5.56x45mm .338 Lapua	[4]
Machine guns
Madsen M-50	Denmark	Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum	[4]
Micro Uzi	Israel	Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum	Micro Uzi[18]
M249	United States	Light machine gun	5.56x45mm	[4]
M60	United States	General-purpose machine gun	7.62x51mm	[4]
M2 Browning	United States	Heavy machine gun	12.7x99mm	[4]

Rocket, grenade and MANPAD

Royal Thai Marines on various components and functions added to an M-16 equipped with M203 grenade launcher

Name	Origin	Type	Notes
Rocket, grenade and MANPAD
M203	United States	Grenade launcher	[4]
Armbrust	Germany	Anti-tank weapon	[4]
M47 Dragon	United States	Anti-Tank Guided Missile	[4]
BGM-71 TOW	United States	Anti-Tank Guided Missile	Use in Humvee.[4]
M40A2	United States	Recoilless rifle	[4]
QW-18	China	MANPAD	[4]

Combat vehicles

Royal Thai Marines storm ashore in an amphibious assault vehicle during Cobra Gold 2007

Royal Thai Marines prepare for amphibious assault training (CARAT), 2013

BTR-3E1

Name	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
Combat vehicles
Type 69-ll	China	Main battle tank	5	[4]
AAV-7A1	Thailand  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.[4][19]
BTR-3E1	Thailand  Ukraine	Armoured personnel carrier	12	[4]
HMV-150 Commando	Thailand  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.[20][4][21]
DTI Black Widow Spider	Thailand	Armoured personnel carrier	1 (+4)	[22]
Phantom 380-X	Thailand	Armoured personnel carrier	1	[23]

Logistic vehicles

Isuzu Forward

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

Field artillery

ATMOS 2000

Name	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
Howitzer
ATMOS 2000	Thailand  Israel	155 mm Self-propelled howitzer	+(6)	[24]
GC-45 howitzer	Austria	155mm towed howitzer	12	[4]
GHN-45 A1 APU howitzer	Austria	155mm towed howitzer	6	[4]
M101A1 mod	United States	105 mm towed howitzer	6	Improve the Nexter LG1 caliber.[4]
M101A1	United States	105 mm towed howitzer	30	[4]
Mortar
M120 mortar	Israel	120 mm Mortar		[4]
M29A1 mortar	United States	81 mm Mortar		[4]
M19 mortar	United States	60 mm Mortar		[4]
M224 mortar	United States	60 mm Mortar		[4]

History equipment

Armoured fighting vehicles

LVT of Royal Thai Marine

Name	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
LVT	United States	Amphibious vehicle	16	[4]
M3 Half-track	United States	Half-track armored personnel carrier	12+	[4]

Field artillery

Name	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
M1A1	United States	75mm Pack howitzer	16+	[4]

Combat Engagements

• Haw wars
• World War II
  • Franco–Thai War
  • Pacific War
  • Malayan Campaign
• Cold War
  • Korean War
  • Vietnam War
  • Communist insurgency in Thailand
  • Communist insurgency in Malaysia
  • Third Indochina War
  • Cambodian–Vietnamese War
  • Vietnamese border raids in Thailand
  • Thai–Laotian Border War
• Persian Gulf War
• 1999 East Timorese crisis
  • International Force East Timor
• Global War on Terrorism
• Southern Insurgency
  • Battle of Bacho (2013)
• United Nations peacekeeping
  • United Nations Iraq–Kuwait Observation Mission
  • United Nations Operation in Burundi
  • United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur
  • United Nations Mission in Sudan

In popular culture

• 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

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

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	พลเรือจัตวา^1	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
	^1Rank on paper, not actually used in the Royal Thai Navy.

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

• Royal Thai Navy
• Air and Coastal Defence Command
• RTMC Reconnaissance Battalion
• Royal Thai Naval Air Division

Notes

1. บำรุงสุข, สุรชาติ (18 July 2019). "เปิดข้อมูลอำนาจกำลังรบไทย". www.matichonweekly.com. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
2. http://www.marines.navy.mi.th/index.php/main/index www.marines.navy.mi.th/index.php/main/
3. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Fast+on+water.-a0173229618
4. armedforce, thai (26 September 2019). "royal-thai-navy-ยุทโธปกรณ์ในกองทัพเรือ". thaiarmedforce.com. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFHwYaOKZAE
6. "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.
7. "Royal Thai special force หน่วยรบพิเศษของไทย [HD]". YouTube. 10 October 2012.
8. "DVIDS - Images - Multinational Recon Marines hone live-fire skills [Image 2 of 8]". DVIDS.
10. "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.
11. "Royal Thai special force หน่วยรบพิเศษของไทย [HD]". YouTube. 10 October 2012.
12. "DVIDS - Images - Multinational Recon Marines hone live-fire skills [Image 2 of 8]". DVIDS.
14. "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.
15. "Royal Thai special force หน่วยรบพิเศษของไทย [HD]". YouTube. 10 October 2012.
16. "DVIDS - Images - Multinational Recon Marines hone live-fire skills [Image 2 of 8]". DVIDS.
18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFHwYaOKZAE
19. https://aagth1.blogspot.com/2019/10/blog-post.html
20. 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.
21. https://aagth1.blogspot.com/2019/03/v-150-remote.html
22. https://aagth1.blogspot.com/2019/03/v-150-remote.html
23. http://weaponandtechnology.blogspot.com/2018/08/2-phantom-380x-by-panus.html
24. https://www.janes.com/article/92704/d-s-2019-thailand-expands-artillery-production-projects

External links

• Official website
• English information on the Royal Thai Marine Corps