Military
- Thailand News
Cobra Gold 2025: US-Thailand military exercise set for February
The Cobra Gold joint military exercise is set to take place in Thailand from February 25 to March 7, featuring the participation of 3,200 US personnel. The opening ceremony is scheduled at 9am on February 25 at Suranaree Camp in Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The event stands as the largest joint and combined exercise in the Indo-Pacific, symbolising the robust…
- Thailand News
Thai royal command appoints four military officers as bodyguards
A royal command has been issued, appointing four military officers as royal bodyguards. Yesterday, February 5, the Royal Gazette published the royal command detailing the appointments. These appointments are made under the authority of Section 7 of the Royal Security Act of 2017, in conjunction with Sections 6, 8, and 10 of the Royal Bodyguard Act of 1937, and Section…
- Crime News
Naval officer accused of lewd acts with 18 cadets under investigation
A naval officer, working as a physiotherapist, is under investigation for allegedly committing lewd acts against 18 cadets at a military prep school. The school has promptly set up a committee to thoroughly investigate the claims made by the students’ parents, assuring them of a fair process and appropriate action if misconduct is confirmed. The troubling incident was reported after…
- Thailand News
Enlist now, reap rewards: PM hails modern Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence is shaking up Thailand’s military recruitment strategy, swapping the conscription model for a voluntary one packed with incentives and young Thais are taking note. In a recent visit to Infantry Division 6 in Roi Et province, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai lauded the successful transformation, highlighting that voluntary enlistment has surged significantly.…
- South Thailand News
Thailand to withdraw military from southern provinces by 2027
Thailand plans to withdraw military forces from the nation’s southernmost provinces by 2027, with a focus on bolstering volunteer forces in the region. The Ministry of Interior and the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly train these volunteer forces. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Army Commander Charoenchai Hintao were present at the ceremony.…
- Thailand News
Defence minister announces new commanders in military reshuffle
A significant military reshuffle list is nearing completion, pending final adjustments from the new Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and his Deputy General Natthapol Nakpanich. The proposed list, which includes appointments for new leaders of the armed forces and other high-ranking positions, was discussed at a meeting on Tuesday. This meeting saw the participation of six top commanders and officials from…
- Thailand News
Thai air force opts for Swedish Gripen jets over US F-16s
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) announced its decision to acquire Gripen fighter jets from Sweden, opting for these over US-made F-16s. A committee within the RTAF reached this conclusion after examining additional details submitted by both contenders. The review, which occurred yesterday, August 27, focused heavily on offsets such as technology transfer and training, key factors in the Thai…
- World News
Turkish Olympian’s past military role sparks controversy
A Turkish sharpshooter recently garnered global attention after winning a silver medal in the mixed team 10-metre air pistol event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Yusuf Dikec’s relaxed shooting style, devoid of any specialised gear, captivated audiences worldwide. However, his newfound fame took a controversial turn when social activist Scharo Maroof revealed Dikec’s past military involvement during a dark period…
- Thailand News
Thailand to adopt offset policy for military procurements
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasised the necessity for the armed forces to adopt an offset policy when procuring weapons and military hardware. This policy aims to secure reciprocal benefits as a precondition for approving new procurement deals. The Thai premier said the policy should include opportunities for Thailand to participate in the development of new defence technology from the country…
- Thailand News
Thai air force transceiver deal raises concerns over inflated costs
A lawmaker from the opposition Thai Sang Thai Party (TST) raised the alarm over a plan to procure digital transceivers by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), alleging that the proposed price significantly exceeds the market value. An MP for Roi Et with TST, Chatchawan Paettayathai revealed that the RTAF‘s Directorate of Communications and Electronics plans to purchase 40 Jotron…
- Thailand News
King honours 59 people with prestigious Thai awards
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn bestowed the prestigious Chula Chom Klao Order and the Rattanaporn Medal on 59 individuals. Among the recipients, Prayut Chan-o-cha received the special First Class of the Chula Chom Klao Order. The Royal Gazette yesterday published the royal decree detailing the awards. The decree, issued by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, outlines the recipients of the Chula Chom Klao…
- Thailand News
Military officer’s “rank” behaviour caught on video, sparks probe
A senior military officer is under investigation after a video surfaced yesterday showing him threatening police officers and a woman, claiming, ‘Do you know who I am?’ and threatening to transfer the entire police station. The man in question, reportedly identified as a lieutenant general, reversed his vehicle towards a woman, almost causing an accident. He then engaged in a…
- Thailand News
Deputy PM to discuss government strategies with military chiefs
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced plans to engage in discussions with the heads of the armed forces in Thailand. These meetings, scheduled to take place at the military chiefs’ workplaces, aim to brief them about the government’s strategies and protocols. Following his recent appointment to oversee the Ministry of Defence, Phumtham expressed his intent to maintain…
- Thailand News
Female off-duty ranger shot dead in Narathiwat province
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Dusongyor market in Chanae district, Narathiwat province, southern Thailand, tragedy struck when a lone gunman fatally shot a female para-military ranger. Without warning, the assailant drew a 9mm handgun and fired a fatal shot into the 30 year old off-duty ranger’s head, killing Nurisan Phromsri instantly. The sudden gunfire sent shockwaves throughout the…
- Thailand News
Thai military officer’s road rage prompts armed forces investigation
A road rage incident involving armed military personnel has prompted an investigation by the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) Headquarters. The episode, captured on video, featured a uniformed military man, armed with a pistol, confronting a pickup truck driver at a toll plaza over his driving behaviour. The incident came to light when the truck driver filmed the confrontation on…
- Thailand News
US Army captain defying tradition with a Buddhist twist
In a bustling Southwestern bar at a Royal Thai Navy (RTN) base, a US Army captain stood out, not just for his uniform but for the emblem adorning his cap, the Buddhist wheel of dharma, a rare sight in military circles. Chaplain (Captain) Songkran Waiyaka, one of only 10 Buddhists among over 3,000 religious leaders in the Army, often finds…
- Thailand News
Myanmar nationals flee to Thailand to evade military conscription
In Thailand’s border province of Tak, young Myanmar nationals, now including women, attempt to evade compulsory military conscription. Soldiers from the Ratchamanu Taskforce, stationed in Tak’s Mae Sot district, made a startling discovery on Friday, apprehending 27 youths comprising 13 men and 14 women near a stream in Phop Phra district. These young individuals revealed they had embarked on their…
- Thailand News
Thai military chief disclaims use of Thailand arsenals in Myanmar
Thailand’s military chief denied that the Thai military arsenal was supplied to Myanmar rebel forces. In a bid to clarify the situation, General Jaroenchai Hintao firmly refutes allegations tying Thailand’s military to the arsenal fuelling rebel fighters across the Myanmar border. Insisting on the integrity of Thailand’s defence, General Jaroenchai outlines rigorous measures in place to safeguard against illicit weapon…
- Thailand News
Royal Thai Air Force to open facilities and golf courses to public
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) decided to open select facilities and golf courses to the public under certain conditions, according to the commander-in-chief, ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul. This decision follows a request from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to use the Kantarat Golf Course, situated between Don Mueang International Airport’s runways, and access other RTAF properties for state project development. The…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s defence ministry to take action over fraudulent Sor Dor 43 sales
The Defence Ministry of Thailand disclosed yesterday that it will take legal action against any military members, both former and present, who are found guilty of selling fraudulent Sor Dor 43 certificates. The announcement was made by Minister Sutin Klungsang, in response to allegations by Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a party-list MP of the Move Forward Party (MFP) and chairman of the…
- Thailand News
Paws and ponder: Annual military dog auction raises tails in northern Thailand
Curiosity piques as the Department of Military Animals at the Army Canine Centre in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima unveils its annual spectacle, the military dog auction. Dog lovers and curious minds are in for a treat as we unravel why these heroic canines end up on the auction block. Contrary to popular belief, these military dogs aren’t rejected. Instead, they…
- Thailand News
US warns Thai navy over salvage operations of sunk HTMS Sukhothai
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) received a second warning from the Joint United States Military Advisory Group Thailand (Jusmagthai) over salvage operations on the US-built HTMS Sukhothai, which sank in the Gulf of Thailand back in 2022. This information was revealed by Bangkok’s Move Forward Party MP, Chayaphon Satondee, during a parliamentary debate on the 2024 budget bill. Chayaphon explained…
- Thailand News
YouTube sensation’s military adventure sparks controversy
A Thai YouTube star finds herself at the centre of a military storm as her latest video sparks a frenzy of controversy. Accusations fly as critics question the Royal Thai Army (RTA)’s involvement in what some dub a cunning information operation (IO). The RTA denied claims that a popular YouTube channel, Pigkaploy, was manipulated in a so-called information operation. Ploypailin…
- Thailand News
Air Force guard gets 15-day jail for violent incident
A 15-day jail sentence has been ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) for a military guard, following a violent incident for consuming alcohol on government premises. Air Marshal Boonlert Andara, a spokesperson for the RTAF, revealed details of the case involving four soldiers from Squadron One of the Yothin Air Command who were excessively punished, contrary to the…
- Thailand News
Thai military officer fatally shot after high-speed pursuit
A 22 year old military officer from the Royal Thai Armed Forces, identified as Ekkarat Suea-am, was fatally shot after a high-speed pursuit involving an aggressive pickup truck driver in Prachin Buri province. The incident, which unfolded over a distance of 10 kilometres, occurred at around 9pm yesterday. Ekkarat, who was driving his girlfriend from Saraburi to Sa Kaeo, was…
- Thailand News
Thai military official stripped of rank and dismissed for severe disciplinary violation
A severe disciplinary violation today led to the termination of service and revocation of military rank for a military official. The Royal Gazette announced the dismissal, relieving the military official of duty and stripping him of his military honour medals. The decision was made by sections 9 and 15 of the 2017 Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, in tandem…
- Thailand News
Thai Military Commission’s six-point plan to scrutinize budget and troop size
Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a member of the Future Forward Party and chairman of the Military Commission, revealed a six-pronged policy framework for the Military Commission of the House of Representatives, aimed at scrutinising the military budget and streamlining troop size. According to a Facebook post by Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the Military Commission of the House of Representatives convened a meeting yesterday, at…
- Thailand News
Blue Strike-2023: China and Thailand’s joint naval exercise
The Gulf of Thailand and the Sattahip district of Chon Buri will serve as the training grounds for the Blue Strike-2023 joint naval exercise, involving China and Thailand. Participation from Chinese warships and submarines has been confirmed for this annual drill. The exercise, which will extend from tomorrow to September 10, will take place in the upper reaches of the Gulf…
- Thailand News
Taking the insurgency by storm: Southern Thailand’s military withdrawal sets off in full swing
The forthcoming military withdrawal in the southern region of Thailand, which has seen 19 years of insurgent unrest, is currently in its initial phase, according to Fourth Region Army commander, Lt. Gen. Santi Sakuntanak. The four-year plan aims to gradually decrease military presence and remove the state of emergency that has been prevalent in the area. Since 2004, Yala, Narathiwat,…
- World News
China and Thailand plan joint military cooperation to maintain regional stability
China expressed its readiness to enhance military cooperation with Thailand in a bid to maintain stability in the region. The two nations have planned a series of joint military exercises for the upcoming year. During a meeting in Beijing, China’s Defence Minister Li Shangfu assured Narongpan Jitkaewtae, the Royal Thai Army’s commander-in-chief, of China’s commitment to work closely with Thailand.…
