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

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.

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 following individuals have commanded the Royal Thai Army:

Royal Siamese Army

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

Royal Thai Army

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No.PortraitRankNameTook officeLeft office
11
(1)
ColonelPhraya Phahonphonphayuhasena
(Phot Phahonyothin)
19321938
12
(1)
Major General (until 1941)
Field Marshal (after 1941)
Luang Phibunsongkhram
(Plaek Phibunsongkhram)
19381944
13 Lieutenant GeneralPhichit Kriangsakphichit6 August 194424 August 1944
11
(2)
GeneralPhraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena
(Phot Phahonyothin)
19441946
14 GeneralAdul Aduldejcharat
(Bhat Peungprakhun)
19461947
12
(2)
Field MarshalLuang Phibunsongkhram
(Plaek Phibunsongkhram)
19471948
15 GeneralPhin Choonhavan19481954
16 GeneralSarit Thanarat19541963
17 GeneralThanom Kittikachorn19631964
18 GeneralPraphas Charusathien19641973
19 GeneralKris Sivara19731975
20 GeneralBoonchai Bamroongpong19751976
21 GeneralSerm Na Nagara19761978
22 GeneralPrem Tinsulanonda19781981
23 GeneralPrayut Jarumanee19811982
24GeneralArthit Kamlang-ek19821986
25 GeneralChavalit Yongchaiyudh19861990
26GeneralSuchinda Kraprayoon19901992
27 GeneralIsarapong Noonpakdee7 April 199231 July 1992
28 GeneralVimol Vongvanich19921995
29 GeneralPramon Plasindhi19951996
30 GeneralChettha Thannajaro19961998
31 GeneralSurayud Chulanont19982002
32 GeneralSomtat Attanand20022003
33 GeneralChaiyasit Shinawatra20032004
34 GeneralPrawit Wongsuwan20042005
35 GeneralSonthi Boonyaratglin20052007
36 GeneralAnupong Paochinda20072010
37 GeneralPrayut Chan-o-cha[1]20102014
38 GeneralUdomdej Sitabutr20142015
39 GeneralThirachai Nakwanich20152016
40 GeneralChalermchai Sitthisart20162018
41 GeneralApirat Kongsompong[2]20182020
42 GeneralNarongphan Jitkaewthae20202023
43 GeneralCharoenchai Hinthao2023Incumbent

See also

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References

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  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.
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