List of commanders-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army
| Chief of the Royal Thai Army ผู้บัญชาการทหารบก | |
|---|---|
 Rank flag of the commander-in-chief | |
| Member of | RTA |
| Reports to | Minister of Defence |
| Nominator | Minister of Defence |
| Appointer | King of Thailand |
| Inaugural holder | Prince Damrong Rajanubhab |
| Formation | 1887 |
| Website | Thai 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 | General Ditsawarakuman, the Prince Damrong Rajanubhab (1862–1943) | Grand-officer to the army | 8 April 1887 | 15 April 1890 | 3 years, 7 days | |
| 2 | Field Marshal Chao Phraya Surasakmontri (1862–1943) | Commander of the Department of Army | 15 April 1890 | 27 March 1892 | 1 year, 347 days | |
| 3 | Field Marshal Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse (1859–1928) | Commander of the Department of Military Operation | 1 April 1892 | 16 March 1896 | 3 years, 350 days | |
| 4 | General Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong (1863–1947) | Commander of the Department of Military Operation | 16 March 1896 | 1 April 1899 | 3 years, 16 days | |
| (3) | Field Marshal Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse (1859–1928) | Commander of the Department of Military Operation | 1 April 1899 | 8 August 1901 | 2 years, 129 days | |
| 5 | Field Marshal Prince Chirapravati Voradej (1859–1928) | Commander of the Department of Military Operation Minister of Defense | 8 August 1901 | 4 February 1913 | 11 years, 180 days | |
| 6 | Field Marshal Chao Phraya Bodindhra Dejanuchit (1856–1921) | Commander of the Department of Military Operation | 1 April 1914 | 25 August 1921 † | 7 years, 146 days | |
| 7 | General Chao Phraya Bodindechanuchit (1867–1961) | Minister of Defense | 1 April 1922 | 3 August 1926 | 4 years, 124 days | |
| 8 | Field Marshal Prince Paribatra Sukhumbandhu (1881–1944) | Minister of Defense | 3 August 1926 | 31 March 1928 | 1 year, 241 days | |
| 9 | General Prince Boworadet (1881–1944) | Minister of Defense | 25 October 1928 | 16 June 1931 | 2 years, 234 days | |
| 10 | General Prince Vudhijaya Chalermlabha (1881–1944) | Minister of Defense | 8 November 1931 | 28 June 1932 | 233 days |
![Chao Phraya Bodindhra Dejanuchit [th]](/wiki/File:Field_Marshal_Chao_Phraya_Bodindechanuchit_(Mom_Rajawongse_Aroon_Chatkul).jpg)
![Chao Phraya Bodindechanuchit [th]](/wiki/File:General_Chao_Phraya_Bodindechanuchit_(Yam_Na_Nakorn)_2.jpg)
Royal Thai Army
| No. | Portrait | Rank | Name | Term begins | Term ends |
| 11 (1) |
 |
General | Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena (Phot Phahonyothin) |
1932 | 1938 |
| 12 (1) |
 |
Field Marshal | Luang Phibunsongkhram (Plaek Phibunsongkhram) |
1938 | 1944 |
| 13 |  |
Lieutenant General | Phichit Kriangsakphichit | 6 Aug 1944 | 24 Aug 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 |  |
Field Marshal | Phin Choonhavan | 1948 | 1954 |
| 16 |  |
Field Marshal | Sarit Thanarat | 1954 | 1963 |
| 17 |  |
Field Marshal | Thanom Kittikachorn | 1963 | 1964 |
| 18 |  |
Field Marshal | 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 Apr 1992 | 31 Jul 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 | .png) |
General | Sonthi Boonyaratglin | 2005 | 2007 |
| 36 | .jpg) |
General | Anupong Paochinda | 2007 | 2009 |
| 37 |  |
General | Prayut Chan-o-cha[1] | 2010 | 2014 |
| 38 |  |
General | Udomdej Sitabutr | 2014 | 2015 |
| 39 | .jpg) |
General | Thirachai Nakwanich | 2015 | 2016 |
| 40 | File:Chalermchai Sitthisat in 2016.png | General | Chalermchai Sitthisart | 2016 | 2018 |
| 41 | File:General Apirat Kongsompong.jpg | General | Apirat Kongsompong[2] | 2018 | Incumbent |
See also
- Royal Thai Army
- Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces
- List of Chiefs of Defence Forces (Thailand)
- List of commanders-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy
- List of commanders-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force
References
- ^ "Profile: Thai General Prayuth Chan-ocha". BBC News. 2014-08-21. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ Nanuam, Wassana (29 September 2018). "New chief to 'strengthen' army". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
