Ministry of Defence (Thailand)

The Ministry of Defence (Abrv: MOD; Thai: กระทรวงกลาโหม, RTGS: Krasuang Kalahom), is a cabinet-level government department of the Kingdom of Thailand. The ministry controls and manages the Royal Thai Armed Forces to maintain national security, territorial integrity, and national Defence. The armed forces of Thailand are composed of three branches: the Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy, and Royal Thai Air Force.[1]

Ministry of Defence
กระทรวงกลาโหม
Emblem of the Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence HQ building, opposite Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Ministry overview
Formed8 April 1887 (1887-04-08)
JurisdictionGovernment of Thailand
HeadquartersMinistry of Defence HQ, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
13.7517°N 100.4942°E / 13.7517; 100.4942
Annual budget233,300 million baht (FY2020)
Minister responsible
  • Sutin Klungsang, Minister of Defence
Ministry executive
  • Gen.Sanitchanok Sangkhachan, Permanent Secretary
WebsiteOfficial website

Although the King of Thailand is the Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (Thai: จอมทัพไทย), his position is only nominal. The ministry and the forces are administered by an appointed politician, the Minister of Defence, a member of the Cabinet of Thailand.

History
Military training course at the Ministry of Defence HQ with the supervision of Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath (center) in 1963

Initially, the Ministry was called Krom Kalahom (Thai: กรมกลาโหม) and its head was called Samuha Kalahom (Thai: สมุหกลาโหม), and it was charged with the protection of the southern border. It was founded in the Ayutthaya period and was retained throughout the Rattanakosin period. The ministry in its current design was formed in 1887, by the order of King Chulalongkorn, to create a permanent military command. This was a result of the increasing threat posed by Western powers. The ministry was first housed in an old horse-and-elephant stable opposite the Grand Palace. A new European-style building was erected to house it. At first the ministry only commanded the army (founded in 1847), but then it incorporated the navy (founded in 1887), and finally, the air force (founded in 1913).[2]

In 1914, King Vajiravudh determined that the act providing for invoking martial law, first promulgated by his father in 1907, was not consistent with modern laws of war nor convenient for the preservation of the external or internal security of the state, so it was changed to the modern form that, with minor amendments, continues to be in force.[3]

Ministry of Defence HQ at Sanam Chai Road, Bangkok
Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence at Si Saman Rd., Nonthaburi
Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Prayut Chan-o-cha welcomes Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at Ministry of Defence HQ in 2022

Structure

Ministry level
  • Minister: Sutin Klungsang
    • Deputy Minister: vacant
      • Permanent Secretary: General Sanitchanok Sangkhachan

Royal Thai Armed Forces HQ level
  • Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters
    • Chief of Defence Forces: General Songwit Noonpakdee

Royal Thai Armed Forces level

Departments

Departmental organisation

Other agencies
  • Defence Technology Institute (Public Organisation)
  • The War Veterans Department
  • Bangkok Dock Company

Budget
Thai Department of Defence Budget (million baht)[4][5]
Organisation FY2018 FY2019 FY2020
Office of the Permanent Secretary 9,25010,06310,300
Headquarters 16,80217,35217,900
Defence Technology Organization 1,2271,2401,300
Army 107,457111,377113,700
Navy 43,83545,48547,300
Air Force 39,93141,60942,900
Totals 218,503227,127233,300

The military augments its budgets through its ownership of golf courses, racetracks, boxing stadia, and radio and television stations.[5][6][7]

References
  1. ประวัติความเป็นมาของกระทรวงกลาโหม
  2. การจัดระเบียบราชการกระทรวงกลาโหม
  3. Pakorn Nilprapunt (2006). "Martial Law, B.E. 2457 (1914)" (PDF). Thai Law Forum. Office of the Council of State. Archived from the original (unofficial translation) on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2014. Reference to Thai legislation in any jurisdiction shall be to the Thai version only. This translation has been made so as to establish correct understanding about this act to the foreigners
  4. "Thailand's Budget in Brief Fiscal Year 2019". Bureau of the Budget. 20 December 2018. p. 84. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  5. "Prawit defends army spending". Bangkok Post. 3 December 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  6. "Thanathorn gives up parliament roles". Bangkok Post. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  7. "FFP boss queries army wealth". Bangkok Post. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
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