Thai military uniform. Thai operation. How Thailand entered the war on the side of Japan and what did it lead to. Ground Armed Forces

On April 1, another conscription into the army will begin in Russia, it turns out that in Thailand the call begins on April 1, but unlike the Russian three-month call, it will last only until April 11. The recruitment of the army Thailand carried out on the basis of contract service and compulsory military service. The draft age is 21 years, and the term of service is 2 years in the ground forces and 3 years in the navy, but conscripts with higher education with a bachelor's degree need to serve only 1 year. Contract employees make up approximately 65% of the total, and up to 55 years of age can call up reservists who are registered with the military.

All Thais of military age are required to register at the recruiting office of the district where they live. After that, they are called there for a special medical examination and conscription. Each conscript, if there is a good reason not related to health, can exercise the right of self-suspension. Thus, the recruit is included in the draft lists of the next year. At the same time, it is important that a person does not have to prove the validity of the reason, but you only need to submit an application indicating the reason that he considers valid for himself. The self-suspense only works once. But mandatory deferrals are provided for students and persons who have dependent parents who are unable to work, in the absence of other relatives and the ability of the recruit to take care of their parents.

During a medical examination of potential recruits, not only mental and somatic health is taken into account, but also such anatomical data as weight, height and chest girth. In order to serve in the army, a young man must have a height of at least 160 cm and a weight of at least 50 kg, and a chest circumference of at least 76 cm. If a Thai does not fit these parameters, then he is not drafted into the army (and there are such among some tribes and nationalities). Also, do not call on AIDS patients and those suffering from chronic diseases.

The call is organized in Thailand in the form of a lottery. But the fact is that serving in the Kingdom is considered a duty of honor and the draft quota is usually about 20% of potential recruits, so the authorities are holding a lottery. After a medical examination, the conscripts take turns pulling balls from the keg. A black ball means that you can walk further, and a white ball means you can go serve the Fatherland. The atmosphere of the lottery is very reminiscent of gambling, friends and relatives come to cheer for young people. Despite the fact that conscripts can be sent to the extreme south of the country, where Islamic separatists have been regularly organizing terrorist attacks for many years, a lot of volunteers go to the army, about 10% of the total number of conscripts. This year in the army Thailand more than 97,000 men will be called up, almost 10,000 more than in the past.

Young people serving in Thai army, receive a monthly allowance of 5,000 baht, which increases during the service. And this is a fairly decent amount of money, given that they live in the army with everything ready.
It is worth noting that according to the "Conscription Law" of 1954, all Katoys (or in other words transsexuals) were recognized as mentally abnormal during a medical examination and released from the army, regardless of whether an operation was performed on the genitals. Now this diagnosis will not be attributed to ladyboys so as not to humiliate their feelings, and even under some circumstances they will be able to call them to the service. All recruits will be divided into 3 types:
1. real men looking accordingly;
2. transgender women who have made their breasts;
3. transsexuals who completely changed their sex.
But even in the latter case, according to Thai laws katoy cannot change documents and still legally remains a man. Therefore, under normal conditions, only the first type will be called up, but with a shortage of conscripts, the second type will also be called up, despite the female breast.

The Thai Armed Forces consist of the Army (Royal Thai Army), the Navy and the Air Defense Force. The basis of the modern military policy of the country is the defensive doctrine, aimed at building the army, its equipment and weapons, its tactical deployment mainly for defense purposes. However, this was not always the case. During the military dictatorship of Field Marshal Pibunsongkram, military policy was built according to the laws of a militaristic state with territorial claims. In those days, from the end of the 30s to the end of the 40s, the army was built according to the laws of offensive tactics. The army of Thailand at different times fought against France, Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia. During the Indochinese wars of the 50s-70s and subsequent numerous military coups and revolutions in neighboring countries - Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the military situation on the country's borders was not just explosive, but actually was a border war. During these years, the territory of Thailand in its border zones repeatedly became a theater of military operations against the invading troops of Vietnam (during its war with the United States, and then with Cambodia), Laos (in its post-revolutionary period), and the Cambodian army of the Khmer Rouge. In addition, in addition to the regular military units of neighboring countries, partisan brigades of communist militants invaded Thailand, often joined by their own red brigades - combat units of the underground communist party.

The recruitment of the army is carried out in Thailand on the basis of a mixed system: contract service and conscription for compulsory military service, the term of which is 2 years for ground units, 3 years for the navy. The draft age is 20 years old. If there are valid reasons not related to the state of health, each conscript enjoys the right to self-deferral - a conscript who has declared in the military commissariat of his territory about the need for self-deferment is included in the conscription lists for the next year. At the same time, the conscript does not have to prove the degree of validity of the reasons - his statement and indication of the reason that he considers valid for himself is enough. There is no re-scheduling. Compulsory deferrals are provided for students, as well as persons with dependent parents who are unable to work in the absence of other relatives who can take care of them. During the medical examination of potential conscripts, not only the somatic and mental health of conscripts is taken into account, but also their anatomical data - height, weight: young men who are less than 160 cm tall or weigh less than 50 kg (and there are such among some nationalities and tribes), conscription into the army are not subject. The “contract soldiers” familiar to Russians make up about 65% of the total number of armed forces. The age limit for the recruitment of reservists who are registered with the military is 55 years.

In the 1970s - 1980s, Thailand, with the help of the United States, carried out the second program of modern rearmament of the army, navy and aviation, and in the mid-90s - the third program of deep reform and re-equipment. Military cooperation with the United States continues today: the United States provides assistance in the supply of modern weapons, equipping Thai enterprises for the production of weapons and ammunition, replacing old weapons with new models, and training military specialists now on the basis of Thailand's own military academies.

Modern Thailand, since 1987, has been coexisting with all neighboring states in the regime of full mutual recognition of borders, and the absence of any mutual territorial claims. The military-political doctrine is now being developed not by the military command, but by the civil political authorities of the country with the participation of military specialists.

Ground Armed Forces

The tactical formation of the ground armed forces is based on the task of protecting the country from potential armed aggression by the ground units of the alleged enemy. When choosing the tactics of the ground forces and their weapons, they took into account, first of all, the state of the military potential of the neighboring border countries - Laos and Cambodia, which about 20-25 years ago did not differ in a friendly attitude towards Thailand. However, the state of the military potential of these countries is still an order of magnitude inferior to the military potential of Thailand. Based on the principle of reasonable sufficiency of the defensive potential, Thailand forms the base of weapons and the number of its army units. With a rich and long history, the Royal Thai Army is a key weapon in the defense of the state. The army commander and his extensive headquarters of military specialists, stationed in Bangkok, carry out all the main functions of army management, its equipment and re-equipment, supplies, exercises and maneuvers, the formation of tactical plans and national defense plans.

Flag of the Royal Thai Army

Organizationally, the army consists of regional army formations. The 1st Army, headquartered in Bangkok, has in its area of responsibility the eastern and central provinces of the country, including the capital. The 2nd Army covers the territory of the north-east of the country, its headquarters is based in Nakhon Ratchasima. The area of responsibility of the 3rd Army stationed in Pitsanulok is the northern and northwestern provinces. The 4th Army is responsible for the south of the country, its headquarters are located in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The tactical organization of the army is represented by 7 infantry divisions, which include 5 tank battalions. As independent units, the army includes 1 division of armored vehicles, 1 cavalry division reinforced with light armored vehicles, 8 independent infantry battalions, 2 special units for conducting local operations in limited areas of the territory, including special airborne detachments, 3 special armored infantry support units parts. The ground units are based on the principle of deep coverage of the country's internal territory, military units are stationed not in the form of large military conglomerates, but in the form of small and medium-sized formations located in almost every province of the country. The bases include not only purely infantry units, but also infantry support forces attached to them in the form of tank formations, motorized infantry, armored vehicles and artillery.

Army Chevron

To maintain the regime of internal order, cavalry formations are also lodged here, used inside the cities as support forces for the royal police. Large permanent military formations also exist, but they are located along the former "problem borders" in the north, northwest and northeast of Thailand.

In 1987, at the initiative of the Commander of the Royal Army, General Chaowalit Yongchayut, the number of bureaucratic army superstructure was sharply reduced - instead of 200 generals, 80 remained in the army. The number of the army was 223 thousand people, including all "related" services - command, control, communications, computer support, cadres of the military intelligentsia (engineers, physicians, commissaries, military educators).

The system of military ranks was also somewhat modified and is now the following. Senior officers (in descending order): field marshal (since 2002 only the king has this rank), general, lieutenant general, major general, colonel, lieutenant colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, second lieutenant.

Junior officer ranks (in descending order): master sergeant, plenipotentiary officer 1st class, plenipotentiary officer 2nd class, sergeant major, staff sergeant, sergeant, bombardier, corporal.

The most profound army reforms were carried out during the period when the command of the armed forces was in the hands of the current Prime Minister of Thailand, Surayud Chulanont, from October 1998 to September 2002. He reduced the size of the army to 190,000 men, of which only 80,000 were conscripts. In addition, elite military units were created: 2 special corps as part of the 4th regional army, 2 mixed infantry divisions, 3 mechanized divisions, 1 special artillery battalion, 4 special air force battalions and 3 mobile aviation groups, 19 combat engineer battalions.

The structure of the units of the land army is currently as follows. The 1st Regional Army of the Center includes 4 infantry divisions, which include 8 motorized infantry battalions, 4 armored vehicle battalions, 9 artillery battalions, as well as auxiliary engineering units, 1 reserve division and 1 reserve motorized infantry battalion. The 2nd Regional Army (Northeast) includes 3 regular infantry divisions and 1 reserve infantry division, which include 6 motorized infantry battalions, 1 infantry battalion, 3 mechanized battalions, 1 armored vehicle battalion. The 3rd Regional Army (North) includes 1 infantry division, 1 armored division, 1 reserve division. The 4th Regional Army (South) includes 1 infantry division and 1 reserve division, which include 1 mechanized battalion, 4 motorized infantry battalions, 3 armored vehicle battalions, 1 separate artillery battalion. A separate command manages the special forces of the army of Thailand, including 2 divisions of special forces, a special forces reserve division.

The armament of the land army includes M16 rifles, light anti-tank weapons of the M72 system, M47Dragon anti-tank missile launchers, and RPG-2/7 anti-tank missiles.

Tank equipment: medium tanks M-60A3 and M-48A5 in total 283 units; heavy tanks 69-II (a copy of the Soviet T-55) - over 50 units; Stingray light tanks - 106 units, FV101Scorpion light tanks - 154 units, M41Bulldog light tanks - 200 units.
Mobile armored vehicles: YW531 - 450 units, APCKondor - 18 units, LAV150 - 138 units, М113 - 340 units.
Artillery: T85-130mm - 60 units, T83-122mm - 40 units, M-109A5-155mm - 20 units, GHN-45A5-155mm - 42 units, M-71Soltam-155mm - 32 units, M198-155mm - 62 units, M114-155mm - 56 units, T59-1-130mm - 15 units, GiatLG1-105mm - 24 units, M101-105mm - 285 units, M102-105mm - 12 units, M618A2-105mm - 32 units, T59-57mm anti-aircraft gun - 24 units, BoforsL40-40mm anti-aircraft guns - 48 units, T74 65/37mm - 122 units, M163-20mm - 24 units, M167-20mm - 24 units.

Naval Forces

The system of tactical formation of the naval forces of Thailand is almost completely borrowed from the organization of similar forces in the United States. The navy of Thailand includes 2 types: the navy and the marine corps. The main base and command are stationed in Sattahip (near the resort of Pattaya), where the central command of the US Pacific Naval Base was previously located.

Naval Ensign of Thailand

The entire "zone of responsibility" of the naval forces of Thailand is divided into three sections and, accordingly, three command headquarters: 1st Zone (eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand - the former Gulf of Thailand), 2nd Zone (western part of the Gulf of Thailand), 3- i Zone (western water area of Thailand in the Andamant Sea of the Indian Ocean). Naval aviation headquarters are based in two command zones: in U-Tapao (1st zone - near the airport) and in Songkla (2nd zone).

Flag of the Thai Marine Corps

Within the framework of military cooperation, a number of countries signed an agreement on mutual military assistance at sea and holding joint naval exercises and maneuvers (USA, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines). The Thai Navy is armed with separate ships and formations: 1 strategic aircraft carrier ("Chakri Dynasty"), 10 naval frigates (including 2 large classes FFG461 and FFG462), 7 corvettes, 6 missile cruisers, 9 amphibious ships, 77 patrol ships, 15 river patrol boats, 7 mine ships. As part of naval aviation: 44 fighters, 8 airborne artillery helicopters.

Strategic aircraft carrier Chakri Dynasty

The number of naval forces in manpower is 18 thousand people, the number of personnel of naval aviation is 1700 people. The strategic aircraft carrier Chakri Dynasty entered service in 1997. Its maximum displacement is 11486 tons, length is 182.6 meters, width is 21.9 meters, draft is 6.2 meters, speed is 26.2 knots. On board are 6 AV-8SHarriers and 4 S-70BSeahawks, as well as a helicopter formation. In addition to one aircraft carrier, the backbone of the Thai Navy also consists of two large frigates: Puchayodfa Chulalok (proper name of King Rama I) and Puchalatla Nafalai (proper name of King Rama II). The first of them came from the United States into service with the naval forces of Thailand, first on lease, and since 1999 has been the property of the kingdom.

Frigate "Puchayodfa Chulalok"

Its length is 133.5 meters, width is 14.4 meters, speed is 27 knots, SPS-40B 2-D radar system. The crew is 250 people. The ship is equipped with a cannon fire guidance system, a rocket fire system, 8 ASROC cannons, 4 Harpoon cannons, 4 120 mm Mk-32 torpedo cannons. A reconnaissance helicopter is based on board.

Air Force

The Thai Air Force was first established in 1911 under King Watchiravut. Initially, they consisted of 8 aircraft (4 Briget and 4 Neuport). Currently, 315 air vehicles are in service, including such models of combat vehicles as L-39 (34 units), AlphaJet (25 units), AU-23 (21 units), F-16 (61 units), F-5 ( 46 units), as well as C-130 transport aircraft and helicopters (12 units), BT-67 (9 units), UH-1 Iroquois helicopter (20 units), G222 (6 units), GAF N22B Nomad patrol aircraft (19 units), reconnaissance aircraft LearJet 35A (2 units) and IAI201 (3 units).

Emblem of the Air Force

The air force bases are located in several deployment zones: Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Songkla, Ubon Ratchatani, etc. In total, there are 4 air divisions stationed at 9 territorial bases. There is a separate base for training flights, which is used by students of the military academy. This base is armed with training aircraft CT-4E (20 units), Pilatus PC-9 (23 units).

Describing the overall size and equipment of the army, we can confidently say that by the standards of the countries of Southeast Asia, Thailand is quite seriously armed, if not to say that it even belongs to some extent to militarized states. In any case, on the Indochina peninsula, it shares the first place with Vietnam. There are no other competitors in terms of army power.

On April 1, both in the Russian Federation and in Thailand, spring conscription began. But unlike the Russian one, the Thai conscription takes place only once a year and lasts not three months, but only 11 days. On these days, all men who have reached the age of 21 must appear at the recruiting centers for a mark. Everyone flocks here - Buddhist monks, transvestites, and ordinary Thai guys. The latter will be able to try their luck and get into the army. The fact is that serving in the Kingdom is considered a duty of honor and the draft quota is usually about 20% of potential recruits, so the authorities are holding a lottery.

(Total 12 photos)

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1. 24-year-old transgender Nopparat (right) and a Buddhist monk (left) wait in line to speak with officers during a call at a Bangkok school on April 3, 2015. In the Thai army, they serve both under contract and on conscription (there are more contract servicemen, as in the Russian Federation - 65%). Volunteers serve for half a year, but the rest have to rely on a lottery that runs for 10 days at recruitment centers throughout Thailand. Conscripts who are considered physically incapable, mentally retarded, as well as those who have significantly changed their appearance, such as transgender people, are exempted from service. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

2. Having large potential manpower reserves, the Thai army allows itself the luxury of choosing the best of the best in terms of physiological parameters. During a medical examination of potential recruits, not only mental and somatic health is taken into account, but also such anatomical data as weight, height and chest girth. In order to serve in the army, a young man must have a height of at least 160 cm and a weight of at least 50 kg, and a chest circumference of at least 76 cm. If a Thai does not fit these parameters, then he is not drafted into the army (and such exist among some tribes and nationalities). Also, do not call on AIDS patients and those suffering from chronic diseases. In the photo: conscripts are waiting for weighing. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

3. Young people and Buddhist monks are waiting for the start of the annual lottery in a school in Bangkok. All those who passed the medical commission draw lots - a red or black card. Any Thai boy sleeps and sees himself serving in the army. This desire has solid material support. Immediately after the call, the salary of a Thai soldier is about 7,000 baht, and during the service it also rises. And this is a fairly decent amount of money, considering that they live in the army with everything ready. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

4. A young man rejoices that he was lucky enough to pull out a red card during the lottery. Despite the fact that conscripts can be sent to the extreme south of the country, where Islamic separatists have been regularly organizing terrorist attacks for many years, a lot of volunteers go to the army, about 10% of the total number of conscripts. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

5. Volunteers can choose from three branches of the armed forces: Royal Army, Navy and Air Force. Service also depends on education. For example, a graduate with a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as those who have received a military education, must serve two years if they draw a red card; however, if they go as volunteers, their service life will be halved, i.e. they will have to serve only a year. Similarly, conscripts with an Associate's degree or higher are only required to serve for a year, but if they volunteer, the term will be halved to 6 months. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

6. The atmosphere of the lottery is very reminiscent of gambling, friends and relatives come to cheer for young people. As a result of the lottery, only 20% of candidates are called up to serve in the Thai armed forces, the rest can go home. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

7. Officers are preparing red and black cards for the annual draft lottery. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

8. 21-year-old Sitiphan with his son. The action of the military lottery is so exciting that friends and relatives of Thai recruits come to watch it. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

9. The abundance of potential recruits allows Thais to plan the date of their call. Once in a lifetime, they have the right to come to the recruiting office and announce the reason why they cannot serve in the army in a given year. You don't need to prove anything. The name of the conscript is simply transferred to the next year. Thai students during the entire period of study are not even called to the medical commission. They also respect those who are in the care of elderly parents if there is no one else to look after them. In the photo: young conscripts wait in line at the admissions office in Bangkok. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

10. According to the 1954 Conscription Law, all Katoys (or, in other words, transsexuals) were recognized as mentally abnormal on a medical examination and released from the army, regardless of whether an operation was performed on the genitals. Now, this diagnosis will not be attributed to ladyboys, so as not to humiliate their feelings, and even under some circumstances they will be able to call them up for service. In the photo: transgender people (behind) sit in line with the rest of the conscripts. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

12. All conscripts are divided into three types: real men who look accordingly; transgender women who have made their breasts; transsexuals who completely changed their sex. But even in the latter case, according to Thai laws, a katoy cannot change documents and still legally remains a man. Therefore, under normal conditions, only the first type will be called up, but with a shortage of conscripts, the second type will also be called up, despite the female breast. Pictured: An officer writes a number on the hand of Thanompong, a 21-year-old transgender man, during his enlistment in Bangkok. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

On December 8, 1941, seventy-five years ago, the Thai operation of the Imperial Japanese Army began. It became an integral part of Japan's plan to occupy states and European colonies in Southeast Asia. The Japanese leadership was particularly interested in Thailand, since the country was distinguished by a strategically important position - through Thailand it was possible to invade the British colonies of Burma and Malaya. For the success of the invasion, the Japanese needed control over the railways, airfields and ports of Thailand.

Before the start of the war, Thailand was a fairly powerful state by Asian standards. Let's start with the fact that it was the only country in Indochina that escaped the colonial fate. Thailand (formerly Siam) was never colonized by any of the European powers, unlike its neighbors - Burma and Malaya, which were under British rule, and Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, colonized by the French. The buffer position of Thailand between the colonial possessions of France and Great Britain played a significant role in maintaining its political independence. On the other hand, at the end of the 19th century, the Siamese kings began to make serious efforts for the military and economic modernization of the country. So, King Chulalongkorn or Rama V (1853-1910), who ruled in 1868-1910, sought to establish friendly relations with the Russian Empire, in which he saw a patron in the struggle to maintain independence. The King of Siam even visited Russia, met with Emperor Nicholas II. One of the sons of Rama V, Field Marshal Chakrabon Puvanat (1883-1920), not only received a military education in Russia, but also married a Russian citizen, Ekaterina Desnitskaya.

By the 1940s Thailand managed to create a very combat-ready armed forces. Their real potential was tested in the Franco-Thai War of 1940-1941. At this time, the post of Prime Minister of Thailand was held by Major General Plek Phibunsongram (1897-1964), who was appointed to this position in 1938. He was a rather extraordinary person, combining the qualities of a clever politician and a good military leader. Back in 1914, Plec (pictured) graduated from the Chulachomklao Military Academy with the rank of second lieutenant and was assigned to the artillery. During the First World War, he served as a foreign trainee in France - also in artillery units, and then graduated from the military academy in Poitiers and Fontainebleau. The career advancement of the young officer was facilitated by the revolution that took place in Siam in 1932 and led to the restriction of royal power. After the revolution, Plek Phibunsonggram was appointed deputy commander of the Royal Army's artillery with the rank of lieutenant colonel, and then promoted to colonel and appointed deputy commander of the army. In 1934 he took over as Minister of Defense. By the way, it was Pibunsongram who initiated the renaming of Siam to Thailand, which followed in 1939.

After becoming prime minister, Pibunsonggram sought to turn Thailand into a powerful state - the hegemon of Indochina. Under the influence of European right-wing radical ideologies, the prime minister advocated the unification of all Thai-speaking peoples and demanded that the territories of Burma and Cambodia be returned to Thailand, which were once under the control of the Siamese kings. After Japanese troops invaded French Indochina in September 1940, which did not meet with serious resistance from French troops, Pibunsongram decided that Thailand's "finest hour" had struck and the country would be able to capture the territories that were part of French Indochina.

Anti-French rally in Bangkok in 1941

By this time, the armed forces of Thailand greatly outnumbered the French colonial troops stationed in Indochina. If the number of French troops was approximately 50 thousand soldiers and officers, then 60 thousand people served in the Thai army. In addition, the Thai army had superiority in armament, since the French colonial troops had practically no armored vehicles. The French had only 20 obsolete Renault FT-17 tanks at their disposal, while the Thai army had 60 Carden-Loyd Mk VI tankettes and 30 Vickers Mk E light tanks. The Thai armed forces also had significant superiority in the air. Against the French troops, the command of the air force of Thailand planned to use 109 bombers and 25 fighters. As a result of the actions of the Thai Air Force, which undertook the bombing of Vientiane, Phnom Penh and a number of other cities, the infrastructure of French Indochina suffered significant damage. On the ground, Thai troops were also rapidly pushing the French. Soon Thailand occupied almost all of Laos and a significant part of Cambodia.

In the end, Japan intervened, which was sort of an ally of the Vichy French government. With Japanese mediation, a peace agreement was concluded in Tokyo. In accordance with it, Thailand received impressive territories - the Cambodian provinces of Battambang and Pailin, Koh Kong, Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchey and Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihea, as well as the Lao provinces of Nakhontyapmasak, Sainyabuli and part of the province of Luang Prabang.

Since the Thai army was quite easily able to defeat the French colonial troops stationed in Laos and Cambodia, the Japanese command, interested in establishing control over the territory of Thailand, did not dare to attack the country for a long time. Since the Japanese considered the territory of Thailand solely as a "springboard" to the capture of the British colonies of Burma and Malaya, it was important for the Japanese command that the parts of the imperial army transferred to Thailand did not suffer serious losses in battles with the Thai army. If the Thai armed forces offered serious resistance to the Japanese troops, then the latter could get stuck in Thailand for a long time, which would lead to negative consequences for Tokyo's plans to invade Burma and Malaya.

For the Japanese government, the best solution would be to establish allied relations with Thailand, so that Bangkok would simply agree to let Japanese troops through its territory and allow the use of military infrastructure facilities. Certain circumstances made it possible to hope for such an outcome of events, and above all, the policy of General Pibunsongram, who was ideologically close to the Axis countries and himself had a negative attitude towards the British colonial presence in Indochina and Malaya. In October 1940, Pibunsongram even promised the Japanese command to support the Japanese troops in the battle for Malaya. However, as a pragmatic person, he simultaneously negotiated with the governments of Great Britain and the United States of America, since he understood that Japan could not limit itself to passing through the territory of Thailand, but simply occupy the country. The British leadership promised Pibunsonggram support in the event of a Japanese invasion.

Uncertainty in relations with Thailand eventually led the Japanese command to decide to invade the country. Tokyo was worried that sooner or later Bangkok would make an alliance with Great Britain and then the situation in Indochina would become much less profitable for the Japanese. General Terauchi Hisaichi (1879-1946, pictured), commander of the Southern Army Group of the Imperial Japanese Army, ordered the invasion of Japanese troops into Thailand. On December 8, 1941, units of the Imperial Guards Division, which was part of the 15th Army, invaded Thailand in the province of Battambang. Around the same time, on the morning of December 8, units of the 3rd Battalion of the Imperial Guards Regiment landed in Samut Prakan, tasked with securing the capture of Bangkok. However, the Japanese did not clash with the Thai units.

Meanwhile, units of the 1st Battalion of the 143rd Infantry Regiment of the Imperial Army invaded Chumphon. Unlike other Japanese units, they faced serious opposition from the Thai troops stationed in the area. In Nakhon Si Thammarat, on the night of December 7-8, the 3rd Battalion of the 143rd Infantry Regiment and the 18th Airborne Regiment of the Imperial Army landed. They were opposed by the headquarters of the 6th division of the royal army of Thailand and the 30th infantry battalion of the royal army. The Thai troops immediately engaged the Japanese paratroopers. Parts of the royal army continued fighting with the Japanese forces until noon on December 8 and ceased fire only after an order was received from Prime Minister Phibunseonggram. Japanese paratroopers also met fierce resistance during the landing in Pattani. Here, soldiers of the 42nd infantry battalion of the royal army, commanded by Khun Inkhayutboriharn, who died in this battle, entered the battle with the Japanese. Another Japanese unit - the 2nd Battalion of the 143rd Regiment - landed at Prachuapkirikhan, where the airfield and base of the 5th Squadron of the Royal Thai Air Force was located. Here the Japanese managed to defeat the local garrison relatively quickly and establish control over the city. However, the Japanese failed to capture the airfield, the resistance of the Thai pilots and airfield maintenance units turned out to be so fierce. The defenders of the airfield fought until they received an order from the prime minister for a ceasefire.

In Khaokhorkhong, the Thai 41st Infantry Battalion and the 13th Artillery Battalion took up positions on the roads to Malaya, preparing to repel an attack by Japanese paratroopers. These units then retreated to Hat Yai, where the next clash between Thai and Japanese troops took place. Fighting continued, as in other parts of the country, until noon, when a ceasefire was ordered. The Prime Minister of the country, Pibunsonggram, made a rather favorable decision for Thailand not to get involved in a war with Japan, which promised to be extremely bloody and difficult for the country, but entered into negotiations with the Japanese command and soon concluded a truce. Japanese troops were able to use Thai territory to attack Malaya.

On December 21, 1941, Prime Minister Phibunseonggram concluded an alliance treaty with Japan. Thus, Thailand became the only sovereign state in Southeast Asia to become an ally of Japan in World War II. Following the signing of the union treaty, an even more radical step followed - on January 25, 1942, the Thai government declared war on Great Britain and the United States of America. However, this decision by Prime Minister Pibunsonggram caused an extremely negative reaction from a significant part of the Thai political elite. Many senior officials were convinced that declaring war on the United Kingdom and the United States was contrary to Thailand's national interests. They were convinced that the Japanese would sooner or later be defeated by the allies, and then Thailand would have to answer for the actions of its prime minister. In protest against the declaration of war, Thai Foreign Minister Pridi Panomiong (1900-1983) resigned. Panomiong (pictured), who was considered a liberal and pro-Western politician, was very dissatisfied with Pibunsonggram's irresponsible step and even decided to resign from such a serious government post. Seni Pramot, the Thai ambassador to the United States, also sharply criticized the declaration of war, even refusing to recognize the declaration of war as valid and did not hand it over to representatives of the American diplomatic department.

Instead of Panomiong, who left the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister Phibunsonggram appointed Wichit Wichitwathakan as Foreign Minister, who held in 1938-1942. the post of Minister of Culture and known as the ideologist of the right-wing radical forces in Thailand. Pibunsongram himself and his associates were convinced that the declaration of war was the right step, as it allowed the Thai army to take part in the hostilities on the side of Japan and created the prerequisites for the capture of a number of new territories by Thailand. In 1943, Japan transferred to Thailand two principalities of the Shan region in North-East Burma, which was of great importance for Pibunsonggram, since the Shans also belonged to the Thai peoples. In addition to the Shan principalities, the principalities in the north of Malaya were also transferred to Thailand, which, according to Pibunsongram, had also previously entered the orbit of influence of the Siamese state.

However, for the Thai people, the consequences of Pibunsonggram's policy were rather negative. The Japanese occupation led to the death of thousands of Thais, who were mobilized into labor armies to build military infrastructure. The economic situation has deteriorated sharply. Eventually, the Free Thailand movement was formed, led by opposition politicians Seni Pramot and Pridi Panomiong. Finally, in July 1944, Parliament passed a vote of no confidence in Phibunsonggram. He was forced to resign as prime minister of the country, retaining, however, the post of commander in chief of the armed forces. The new head of government was the much more moderate politician Kuang Apaivong (1902-1968), an officer of Khmer origin who had previously served in the king's personal bodyguard. His government began to establish contacts with the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition, trying to get out of the war with minimal losses. In connection with the defeat of Japan, the Thai government turned to the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition with a request for peace. On January 1, 1946, a peace treaty was signed, according to which the country was deprived of all acquired in 1941-1943. lands and paid an indemnity to Great Britain. They tried to try General Pibunsonggram as a war criminal, but the court acquitted him. In 1948, he again returned to power in the country, this time successfully reorienting himself to cooperation with the United States - under anti-communist slogans.

The state of Thailand is located in Southeast Asia on the Indochina Peninsula and the north of the Malay Peninsula. It borders Myanmar in the northwest and west, Laos and Cambodia in the north and east, and Malaysia in the south. The length of the land border is 4.863 km. The territory of the country in the south is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand of the South China Sea, and in the southwest by the waters of the Andaman Sea. The length of the coastline is 3.219 km,

The country occupies a favorable geographical position in the central part of Indochina, has an area of 513.1 thousand square meters. km. The population is about 63 million people, over 80% are Thais, 14% are Chinese, the rest are Lahu, Malays, Khmers and others. The official language is Thai, the official religion is Buddhism. The capital is Bangkok.

The government of Thailand is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the king, the highest legislative body is the national legislative assembly, the executive power is represented by the government headed by the prime minister. However, in fact, power is mainly exercised by the national executive council, which is the political body of the ruling military group and is endowed with broad powers. After the 1976 coup d'état, all parties were dissolved and some are illegal.

At the end of the 19th century, England and France divided the territory of Siam, a state formed in the 14th century, which was renamed Thailand in 1939, into spheres of influence. In 1940, having concluded a friendship treaty with Japan, Thailand, with its assistance, began hostilities, claiming part of the territory of Cambodia and Laos, and France was forced to cede part of Laos and two Cambodian provinces to Thailand. In early 1942, Thailand declared war on Britain and the United States on the side of Japan. In fact, during the Second World War, the territory of Thailand was under Japanese occupation. An anti-Japanese movement unfolded in the country. From August 1945 until the end of 1946, Thailand was occupied by British troops, and in 1947 the first military dictatorship was established in the country. Since then, dictatorships have replaced each other almost every year, remaining loyal to the king.

In 1950, Thailand concluded an agreement with the United States on military assistance, economic and technical cooperation, and in 1962, a declaration on the defense of Thailand was adopted, in accordance with which American air bases were established on its territory, from which raids were carried out on the DRV, Laos and Cambodia. Parts of the Thai armed forces participated in the fighting in Vietnam. In the summer of 1976, the Americans withdrew their troops from the country, transferring the bases under the control of Thailand.

The basis of Thailand's foreign policy is close ties with the United States, but in recent years, Thailand has begun to purchase weapons in other countries: Australia, Canada, China, North Korea, Spain, Sweden, Germany, the Czech Republic, Pakistan, Singapore, as well as in the CIS (in in particular, purchases of the BTR-80 are considered).

The state's military spending is $1.775 billion a year, which is 1.8% of the national budget.

STRUCTURE, WEAPONS AND NUMBERS OF THE AF OF THAILAND

They consist of ground forces (SV) (190 thousand people), the Navy (40 thousand, including 20 thousand marines), the Air Force (43 thousand) and paramilitary forces. Recruitment is carried out on the basis of the law on universal military service, the term of service is 2 years, after which, up to 55 years, personnel are listed in the reserve.

The Thai Land Forces are headquartered in the capital Bangkok and have four regional army commands represented by four armies.

The First (Central) Army Region (headquarters in Bangkok) includes the capital, western and central provinces and is the area of responsibility of the 1st Army, which includes four infantry (1st, 2nd, 9th, 11th) and one tank (4th) division.

The Second (North-Eastern) Army Region (Nakhon Ratchasima) is the area of responsibility of the 2nd Army, consisting of three (3rd, 6th, 12th) infantry divisions.

The Third (Northern) Army Region (Pkhitsanulok) is the area of responsibility of the 3rd Army, which includes the infantry (4th) and tank (1st) divisions.

The Fourth (Southern) Army Region is the area of responsibility of the 4th Army, which includes the infantry (4th) and armored cavalry (1st) divisions.

In addition, the army districts have one headquarters of divisions, which are involved in the deployment of reserves. The total number of reservists in Thailand is about 200 thousand people.

The ground forces include two (1st, 2nd) divisions of special forces subordinate to the command of special operations, as well as rapid deployment forces.

The regular ground forces consist of seven infantry divisions, including five tank battalions, one tank division, one armored cavalry division, eight independent infantry battalions, independent reconnaissance companies, a field artillery division, an air defense artillery division and 19 engineer battalions.

Recognizing the importance of airmobile operations in modern warfare, the Thai Army Command formed an airborne cavalry regiment, which included three airmobile companies, light helicopter and aircraft units. The regiment is under the direct control of the ground command and is based at the army aviation air base at Koketium in the Lopburi area, 100 miles north of Bangkok. 33 American Blackhawk helicopters were purchased to re-equip the helicopter fleet of the ground forces.

The various infantry divisions include mechanized and motorized rifle brigades, divisions and tank battalions.

The Thai ground forces are armed with more than 770 different (mostly light) tanks, more than 950 armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, 560 (155-, 130-, 105-mm) towed and 20 self-propelled artillery guns, about 520 anti-tank weapons, more than 320 air defense guns (20-, 37-, 40-, 57-mm), as well as anti-aircraft missiles (Red Eye, Aspid, HN-5A), four Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles "Searcher". Army aviation has about 90 light aircraft and about 170 helicopters.

The Thai Air Force includes about 150 combat and support aircraft, over 100 helicopters and four airfield security battalions,

The Thai Navy is armed with the Chakri Narubet light aircraft carrier (displacement 11,400 tons) for vertical and short takeoff and landing aircraft, two British frigates and Chinese missile frigates of the Yanghu IV type, patrol boats and a supply vessel. Two multi-purpose carrier-based Super Links 300 helicopters were purchased to arm the British frigates - for solving anti-aircraft defense and reconnaissance tasks.

THAILAND SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES

Special Operations Forces in the Thai Armed Forces are available in the CB, Navy and Air Force.

In the ground forces, they are represented by two (1st, 2nd) divisions of special operations and a battalion (4th) of the royal guard. The personnel of the divisions are prepared for operations behind enemy lines as part of small subunits during special and airborne operations.

The 4th Battalion of the Royal Guard, whose main task is to protect important officials, was also assigned the task of counter-terrorism protection in the early 80s of the last century. The battalion has 140 personnel, it includes a command section (2 people) and six combat teams of 23 people. Each of these teams is divided into four combat and two sniper sections.

In the Thai Air Force, special forces are represented by a 100-man special combat operations squadron, which includes a commando company. The company is divided into three combat platoons, each of which consists of two combat sections. The commando company is based at the airport near Don Muant, and since 1970 its main task has been to fight against aircraft hijacking.

In the Thai Navy, special operations forces are represented by small teams of SEAL reconnaissance saboteurs and an amphibious reconnaissance battalion of the Marine Corps.

The personnel of the SEAL (SEa-Air-Land) teams, designed to conduct covert operations behind enemy lines from the sea, air and land, are trained and undergo tactical and operational training under the American SEAL programs. Thai SEAL personnel constantly work out combat training tasks and participate in exercises jointly with US SEALs. Currently, the main task of the Thai SEAL teams is to fight maritime terrorists and pirates.

(V. Mosalev, V. Ushakov, "Soldier of Fortune")

Anti-French rally in Bangkok in 1941

The Royal Thai Army, which has a rich and long history, is the main weapon of defense of the Kingdom of Thailand. The armament and strength of the ground forces are formed on the basis of the principle of reasonable sufficiency of the defensive potential.

The Kingdom of Thailand has a favorable geographical position in Indochina. Numerous military conflicts and troubled neighbors had a significant impact on the formation of the Royal Army. At the moment, Thailand has a fairly large, but archaic, ground forces. Until recently, the United States played the most significant role in arming the Thai army. With their help, a rearmament program was carried out in the 1970-1980s and a program of complete reform and refurbishment in the mid-1990s.

After another military coup, which took place in May 2014, relations with the United States soured. Joint maneuvers were canceled and the military assistance program for Thailand was closed. At the same time, relations with China improved dramatically.

The total strength of the Royal Land Forces is 245 thousand people, including 130 thousand contract soldiers. The army is completed according to a mixed principle: 53% - by contract, 47% - by conscription. The draft age is 20 years. The call occurs by random choice - one of ten candidates is called. The service life of such conscripts is two years. You can sign up for the call voluntarily. In this case, the service lasts 18 months.

Army formations also carry out the functions of maintaining public order, eliminating the consequences of natural disasters and assisting the civilian government in the fight against drugs.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The leadership of the Royal Thai Army is carried out by the Commander and his rather big headquarters, which is located in Bangkok. Geographically, the Royal Thai Army is divided into four army regions (regional armies). The zone of responsibility of the 1st Army (headquarters in Bangkok) includes the capital, western and central provinces. It includes; 1st Kingsguard Division, 2nd Kingsguard Infantry Division, 9th Infantry and 11th Fusiliers, and 2nd Cavalry (Light Armored) Division and 1st Development Division (combines combat and civil engineering functions).

2nd Army (headquarters at Nakhon Ratchasima). The area of responsibility is the northeastern region. It includes the 3rd and 6th rifle divisions, the 3rd cavalry division, and the 2nd development division.

3rd Army (headquarters in Fitsanalok). The area of responsibility is the northern and northwestern regions. Consists of: 4th and 7th Infantry Divisions, 1st Cavalry Division and 3rd Development Division.

4th Army (headquarters in Nakhon Si Thammarat). Area of responsibility - Southern Thailand, includes the 5th Infantry Division (five regiments), the 15th Infantry Division (based at Camp Queen Suryotai, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province) and the 4th Development Division. It is the 4th Army that since January 2014 has been participating in hostilities against Muslim separatists in the south of the country. The 15th division was formed in January 2005 to ensure the security of the region, provide assistance to local residents and infrastructural development. There are plans to create a 16th Infantry Division headquartered in Pattani. It will include battalions and companies of the military police, communications and aviation personnel. Three independent infantry battalions will be stationed at Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Each battalion will include three companies: medical, engineering and psychological warfare.

The special forces of the Thai ground forces are subordinate to the Separate Special Operations Command. They include two infantry divisions of special forces, as well as a rapid deployment force. These include: a special-purpose reserve division, three mechanized divisions, a special artillery battalion, four special air force divisions, three mobile aviation groups and 19 engineer battalions.

COMPOSITION OF THE ARMY OF THAILAND

The Royal Thai Land Forces consist of nine infantry divisions, including Mounted battalions, one tank division, three cavalry (light tank) divisions, eight independent infantry battalions, independent reconnaissance companies, a field artillery division, an air defense artillery division and 19 engineer battalions.

Three aviation companies - units of light helicopters and aircraft - were transferred to the aviation regiment. It is under the direct control of the ground command and is based at the Koketium air base in the Lolburi region, 160 km north of Bangkok.

The various infantry divisions include mechanized and motorized rifle brigades, divisions and tank battalions.

WEAPONS

The military-industrial complex in Thailand is underdeveloped. For this reason, Thailand acquires weapons from different countries. The composition of weapons looks pretty colorful.

The Thai ground forces are armed with 293 main battle tanks, including: 53 M60A1 units, 125 M60AZ, 105 M48A5, 10 Ukrainian T-84 "Oplot". Another 50 Chinese "Type 69" are in storage. Light tanks (194) are represented by M41 Walker Bulldog (24), 104 Scorpions (50 in storage) and 66 Stingrays.

There are 1140 armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles and armored vehicles: American M113A1 / AZ and LAV-150 Commando, Chinese Type 85, German UR-425 Condor and South African Reva.

Towed and self-propelled artillery and mortars include 2622 units: 617 towed guns of various calibers and more than 1900 mortars (including self-propelled ones).

Self-propelled 155-mm installations are represented by the American M109A5 (20 units), the French Caesar (six units) and one Israeli ATMOS-2000.

There are more than 520 anti-tank weapons, about 320 air defense guns and air defense systems. Army aviation includes 52 light and training aircraft and about 280 helicopters (seven strike, 13 multi-purpose, 206 transport and 53 training).

Thai Armed Forces- a set of troops of Thailand designed to protect the freedom, independence and territorial integrity of the state. Consist of ground forces, naval and air forces. The main goal of military policy is the defense of the kingdom.

History of the armed forces

In the 1930s and 1940s, the army was built according to the laws of offensive tactics. At various times, Thailand fought against France, Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia. In the 70s - 80s, with the help of the United States, a program was carried out to rearm the armed forces, and since the mid-90s, a program of complete reform and re-equipment. The United States plays a major role in arming the Thai army: supplying weapons, equipping enterprises for the production of weapons and ammunition, replacing old weapons, and training specialists.

Service in the army is carried out according to the contract (65%) and compulsory systems. The service life of conscripts is 2 years (for the ground forces) and 3 years (for the navy). The draft age is 20 years. The age limit for reservists is 55 years. Young men with a height of less than 160 cm and a weight of less than 50 kg are not subject to conscription.

Participation in conflicts

Franco-Siamese War
World War I
Franco-Thai War
The Second World War
Korean War 1950-1953
Vietnam War
Thai-Lao Border War
Presence in East Timor
Iraqi War
War in Southern Thailand

Composition of the armed forces

As of September 2002, the strength of the army was about 200 thousand people.

Thai ground forces (Royal Thai Army, Thai กองทัพบกไทย ) - one of the types of the Armed Forces of Thailand, created in 1874.

Emblem of the Royal Thai Army

Flag of the Royal Thai Army

The structure of the ground forces.

1st Regional Army (headquarters in Bangkok):

1st Infantry Division 2nd Infantry Division 9th Infantry Division 11th Infantry Division 1st Reserve Infantry Division auxiliary engineering units, and 1 reserve motorized infantry battalion

2nd Regional Army (headquarters in Nakhon Ratchasima):

3rd Infantry Division 6th Infantry Division 12th Infantry Division 2nd Reserve Infantry Division

3rd Regional Army (headquarters at Phitsanulok):

4th Infantry Division 3rd Reserve Infantry Division 1 division of armored vehicles

4th Regional Army (headquarters in Nakhon Si Thammarat):

5th Infantry Division 4th Reserve Infantry Division

A separate command manages the special forces of the Thai army, including 2 infantry divisions of special forces, a reserve special forces division, 3 mechanized divisions, 1 special artillery battalion, 4 special air force battalions and 3 mobile aviation groups, 19 engineer battalions.

Armament

According to the IISS The Military Balance for 2010, the Thai Ground Forces had at their disposal the following equipment

Weapons and weapons of the Land Forces of Thailand as of 2010
Type	Production	Purpose	Quantity	Notes
Nanks
M-60A1	USA	Main battle tank	53
M-60A3	USA	Main battle tank	125
Type 69	PRC	Main battle tank	50
M-48A5	USA	medium tank	105
M41 Bulldog	USA	light tank	255
FV101 Scorpion	United Kingdom	light tank	104	50 in storage
Stingray	USA	light tank	106
Armored reconnaissance vehicles
Shortland S52	Australia		32
HMMWV	USA	combat reconnaissance vehicle
armored personnel carriers
BTR-3E1	Ukraine	armored personnel carrier	2	total ordered 96
APC Condor	Germany	armored personnel carrier	18
LAV-150 Commando	USA	armored personnel carrier	142
M113A1/A3	USA	armored personnel carrier	340
Type 85AFV	PRC	armored personnel carrier	450

Light weapons

M16 rifles, M72 light anti-tank grenade launchers, M47 Dragon anti-tank missile systems, RPG-2/7 grenade launchers.

Artillery

Т85 130 mm (60 units)
Т83 122 mm (40 units)
M-109A5 155 mm (20 units)
GHN-45A5 Howitzer 155 mm (42 units)
Soltam M-71 155 mm (32 units)
M198 155 mm (62 units)
M114 155 mm (56 units)
T59-1 130 mm (15 units)
Giat LG1 Mk II 105 mm (24 units)
М101 105 mm (285 units)
М102 105 mm (12 units)
М618А2 105 mm (32 units)
Type 59 57 mm anti-aircraft gun (24 units)
Bofors L40/70 40 mm anti-aircraft gun (48 units)
Т74 65/37 mm (122 units)
М163 VADS 20 mm (24 units)
М167 VADS 20 mm (24 units)

Compared to Russia, Thailand is a relatively small country.

But this does not mean that the borders and the people living here should not be protected from the encroachment of an external threat.

Just like in our country, Siam has an army, although not so large (about 800 thousand people), but strong enough.

Who and how serves in the Thai army

Called into the army of Tai from the age of 20.
Reserve up to 55 years.
Volunteers serve 18 months.
The call takes place once a year.
The call lasts 11 days.
Recruitment begins April 1st.
The call takes place in the form of a lottery (black and red cards).
People who pulled out a red card get into the army. Approximately 1 out of 10.
Everyone wants to get into the army (monks, trances, ordinary guys).
To serve is considered a great honor.
The parameters of the future soldier (height - from 160 cm, weight - from 50 kg, chest circumference - from 76 cm).
Soldiers receive a salary of 5,000 baht (about 10,000 rubles) per month. During the service, the salary increases. For Thailand, this is good money.
Any Thai can reschedule the term of conscription once in a lifetime. Moreover, for this, he does not need to confirm this with documents, it is enough to come and verbally explain that the date of conscription should be changed.
There is a contract service (more than 50% than conscripts).
The Thai Navy has been training soldiers for three years.
They serve in the ground forces for 2 years.
Conscripts with higher education (bachelor) serve one year.
Students are not called upon.
Thais who provide for single parents are not called.
Only ordinary guys can serve in the Thai army today, but they can, as a last resort, call on transsexuals with female breasts, but who have not changed their sex.
After the coup of 1932, in fact, the country of Thailand is controlled by the military.
The structure of the armed forces of Siam today includes: the Navy, the Air Force, the Border Police and the ground forces.