List of commanders-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army

Chief of the Royal Thai Army
ผู้บัญชาการทหารบก
Rank flag of the commander-in-chief
Incumbent
General Charoenchai Hinthao
since 1 October 2023
Member ofRTA
Reports toMinister of Defence
NominatorMinister of Defence
AppointerKing of Thailand
Term lengthUntil retired
Inaugural holderPrince Damrong Rajanubhab
Formation1887
WebsiteThai Army Commander

The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army (Thai: ผู้บัญชาการทหารบก) is headquartered in Bangkok. The commander of the Royal Thai Army is a powerful position that has at times been the springboard to the premiership. Prior to 1932, the post of Commander of the Siamese Army was combined with that of the Kalahom Department. The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army is regarded as the most prestigious Thai military position since he commands the largest force of Thailand.

The following individuals have commanded the Royal Thai Army:

Royal Siamese Army

No. Portrait Name Title Took office Left office Time in office
1
Prince Damrong Rajanubhab
Damrong RajanubhabGeneral
Prince Damrong Rajanubhab
(1862–1943)
Grand-officer to the Army8 April 188715 April 18903 years, 7 days
2
Chao Phraya Surasakmontri
SurasakmontriField Marshal
Chao Phraya Surasakmontri
(1862–1943)
Chief of the Army Department15 April 189027 March 18921 year, 347 days
3
Prince Bhanubandhu Vongsevoradej
Bhanurangsi SavangwongseField Marshal
Prince Bhanubandhu Vongsevoradej
(1859–1928)
Chief of the Joint Operations Department1 April 189216 March 18963 years, 350 days
4
Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong
Narisara NuwattiwongGeneral
Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong
(1863–1947)
Chief of the Joint Operations Department16 March 18961 April 18993 years, 16 days
(3)
Prince Bhanubandhu Vongsevoradej
Bhanurangsi SavangwongseField Marshal
Prince Bhanubandhu Vongsevoradej
(1859–1928)
Chief of the Joint Operations Department1 April 18998 August 19012 years, 129 days
5
Prince of Nakhon Chaisi
Chirapravati VoradejField Marshal
Prince of Nakhon Chaisi
(1859–1928)
Chief of the Joint Operations Department
Minister of Defense
8 August 19014 February 191311 years, 180 days
6
Chaophraya Bodindechanuchit (Arun Chatrakul)
Bodindechanuchit ArunField Marshal
Chaophraya Bodindechanuchit (Arun Chatrakul)
(1856–1921)
Chief of the Joint Operations Department1 April 191425 August 1921 †7 years, 146 days
7
Chaophraya Bodindechanuchit (Yaem na Nakhon)
Bodindechanuchit YaemGeneral
Chaophraya Bodindechanuchit (Yaem na Nakhon)
(1867–1961)
Minister of Defense1 April 19223 August 19264 years, 124 days
8
Prince of Nakhon Sawan
Paribatra SukhumbandhuField Marshal
Prince of Nakhon Sawan
(1881–1944)
Minister of Defense3 August 192631 March 19281 year, 241 days
9
Prince Boworadet
BoworadetGeneral
Prince Boworadet
(1881–1944)
Minister of Defense25 October 192816 June 19312 years, 234 days
10
Prince of Singha
Vudhijaya ChalermlabhaGeneral
Prince of Singha
(1881–1944)
Minister of Defense8 November 193128 June 1932233 days

Royal Thai Army

No. Portrait Rank Name Took office Left office
11
(1)
Colonel Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena
(Phot Phahonyothin)
1932 1938
12
(1)
Major General (until 1941)
Field Marshal (after 1941)
Luang Phibunsongkhram
(Plaek Phibunsongkhram)
1938 1944
13 Lieutenant General Phichit Kriangsakphichit 6 August 1944 24 August 1944
11
(2)
General Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena
(Phot Phahonyothin)
1944 1946
14 General Adul Aduldejcharat
(Bhat Peungprakhun)
1946 1947
12
(2)
Field Marshal Luang Phibunsongkhram
(Plaek Phibunsongkhram)
1947 1948
15 General Phin Choonhavan 1948 1954
16 General Sarit Thanarat 1954 1963
17 General Thanom Kittikachorn 1963 1964
18 General Praphas Charusathien 1964 1973
19 General Kris Sivara 1973 1975
20 General Boonchai Bamroongpong 1975 1976
21 General Serm Na Nagara 1976 1978
22 General Prem Tinsulanonda 1978 1981
23 General Prayut Jarumanee 1981 1982
24 General Arthit Kamlang-ek 1982 1986
25 General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh 1986 1990
26 General Suchinda Kraprayoon 1990 1992
27 General Isarapong Noonpakdee 7 April 1992 31 July 1992
28 General Vimol Vongvanich 1992 1995
29 General Pramon Plasindhi 1995 1996
30 General Chettha Thannajaro 1996 1998
31 General Surayud Chulanont 1998 2002
32 General Somtat Attanand 2002 2003
33 General Chaiyasit Shinawatra 2003 2004
34 General Prawit Wongsuwan 2004 2005
35 General Sonthi Boonyaratglin 2005 2007
36 General Anupong Paochinda 2007 2010
37 General Prayut Chan-o-cha[1] 2010 2014
38 General Udomdej Sitabutr 2014 2015
39 General Thirachai Nakwanich 2015 2016
40 General Chalermchai Sitthisart 2016 2018
41 General Apirat Kongsompong[2] 2018 2020
42 General Narongphan Jitkaewthae 2020 2023
43 General Charoenchai Hinthao 2023 Incumbent

See also

References

  1. ^ "Profile: Thai General Prayuth Chan-ocha". BBC News. 2014-08-21. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  2. ^ Nanuam, Wassana (29 September 2018). "New chief to 'strengthen' army". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  • www.rta.mi.th

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