| Chief of the Royal Thai Army | |
|---|---|
| ผู้บัญชาการทหารบก | |
 Rank flag of the commander-in-chief | |
| Incumbent General Pana Klaewblaudtuk since 1 October 2024 | |
| Member of |  Royal Thai Army |
| Reports to | Minister of Defence |
| Nominator | Minister of Defence |
| Appointer | King of Thailand |
| Term length | Until retired |
| Inaugural holder | Prince Damrong Rajanubhab |
| Formation | 8 April 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 |
 | Damrong RajanubhabGeneral Prince Damrong Rajanubhab (1862–1943) | Grand-officer to the Army | 8 April 1887 | 15 April 1890 | 3 years, 7 days |
| 2 |
 | SurasakmontriField Marshal Chao Phraya Surasakmontri (1862–1943) | Chief of the Army Department | 15 April 1890 | 27 March 1892 | 1 year, 347 days |
| 3 |
 | Bhanurangsi SavangwongseField Marshal Prince Bhanubandhu Vongsevoradej (1859–1928) | Chief of the Joint Operations Department | 1 April 1892 | 16 March 1896 | 3 years, 350 days |
| 4 |
 | Narisara NuwattiwongGeneral Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong (1863–1947) | Chief of the Joint Operations Department | 16 March 1896 | 1 April 1899 | 3 years, 16 days |
| (3) |
| Bhanurangsi SavangwongseField Marshal Prince Bhanubandhu Vongsevoradej (1859–1928) | Chief of the Joint Operations Department | 1 April 1899 | 8 August 1901 | 2 years, 129 days |
| 5 |
 | Chirapravati VoradejField Marshal Prince of Nakhon Chaisi (1859–1928) | Chief of the Joint Operations Department Minister of Defense | 8 August 1901 | 4 February 1913 | 11 years, 180 days |
| 6 |
.jpg) | Bodindechanuchit ArunField Marshal Chaophraya Bodindechanuchit (Arun Chatrakul) (1856–1921) | Chief of the Joint Operations Department | 1 April 1914 | 25 August 1921 † | 7 years, 146 days |
| 7 |
_2.jpg) | Bodindechanuchit YaemGeneral Chaophraya Bodindechanuchit (Yaem na Nakhon) (1867–1961) | Minister of Defense | 1 April 1922 | 3 August 1926 | 4 years, 124 days |
| 8 |
 | Paribatra SukhumbandhuField Marshal Prince of Nakhon Sawan (1881–1944) | Minister of Defense | 3 August 1926 | 31 March 1928 | 1 year, 241 days |
| 9 |
 | BoworadetGeneral Prince Boworadet (1881–1944) | Minister of Defense | 25 October 1928 | 16 June 1931 | 2 years, 234 days |
| 10 |
 | Vudhijaya ChalermlabhaGeneral Prince of Singha (1881–1944) | Minister of Defense | 8 November 1931 | 28 June 1932 | 233 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 | .png) |
General | Sonthi Boonyaratglin | 2005 | 2007 |
| 36 | .jpg) |
General | Anupong Paochinda | 2007 | 2010 |
| 37 |  |
General | Prayut Chan-o-cha | 2010 | 2014 |
| 38 |  |
General | Udomdej Sitabutr | 2014 | 2015 |
| 39 | .jpg) |
General | Thirachai Nakwanich | 2015 | 2016 |
| 40 |  |
General | Chalermchai Sitthisart | 2016 | 2018 |
| 41 | .jpg) |
General | Apirat Kongsompong | 2018 | 2020 |
| 42 |  |
General | Narongphan Jitkaewthae | 2020 | 2023 |
| 43 | .jpg) |
General | Charoenchai Hinthao | 2023 | 2024 |
| 44 | |
General | Pana Klaewblaudtuk | 2024 | Incumbent |
See also
- Royal Thai Army
- Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces
- Chief 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.
