The Royal Thai Police (RTP) (; ) is the national police force of Thailand. The RTP employs between 210,700 and 230,000 officers, roughly 17 percent of all civil servants (excluding the military and the employees of state-owned enterprises). Officers also undergo paramilitary training similar to the military but with an additional focus on law enforcement.
In regard to who is chief: , the prime minister "has yet to approve Torsak's reinstatement".https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2816425/kingdoms-top-cops-set-poor-example?tbref=hp. Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-06-24 Earlier that month, media said that Torsak Sukvimol has been reinstated as national police chief.https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2814586/police-chief-torsak-reinstated-says-wissanu. Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-06-20 Earlier (20 March 2024), Kitrat Panphet became acting police chief; however, Torsak Sukvimol is still the police chief while having been transferred to an inactive post at the prime minister's office; on the day of the transfer, Torsak Sukvimol was in a meeting with the prime minister.Police chief Torsak, deputy Surachate transferred to inactive posts. Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-03-20 As of 21 March, Police General Winai Thongsong "said [...] that he still could not confirm if the investigation would finish within the assigned 60 days or before the retirement of" Torsak Sukvimol in September.PM transfers police chief, deputy for "justice". Bangkok Post. 2024-03-21. Retrieved 2024-03-21
Kitrat Panphet is the commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police, appointed in October 2024.https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2882217/king-endorses-kitrat-as-national-police-chief?tbref=hp. Retrieved 2024-10-12. "His Majesty issued a royal command ordering Pol Gen Kitrat to ... take up the position as national police chief. The appointment took effect on Oct"https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2879191/kitrat-appointed-as-national-police-chief?tbref=hp. Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-08
History
Until the 19th century Royal Thai Armed Forces personnel, aside from their duties of national defence, also performed law enforcement duties alongside dedicated civil servants. Responsibility for law and order was divided into the six ministries led by chancellors of state (during the Ayutthaya and Thonburi eras); in time of war, police units were under royal command as part of the army. Only during the reigns of King Mongkut (Rama IV) and King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) did the nation see a huge reform and the Westernization of Thai law enforcement forces to adapt to the changing situation and needs of the country. By 1902, the Royal Police Cadet Academy (RPCA) was founded to train future police officers. In the same year, King Chulalongkorn granted the Police its own symbol using the Phra Saeng sword (พระแสงดาบ) and the all evil-warding Chaturmuk (จตุรมุข) shield. In 1915 the provincial and urban police forces were united as one national organization under the Ministry of Interior (established 1894).
Originally modeled on the pre–World War II police of the Empire of Japan, the Thailand National Police Department (TNPD) was reorganized several times to meet changing public order and internal security needs. American advice, training, and equipment, which were provided from 1951 through the early 1970s, did much to introduce new law enforcement concepts and practices and to aid in the modernization of the TNPD. During this era the strength and effectiveness of the police grew steadily.
All components of the police system were administered by the TNPD headquarters in Bangkok, which also provided technical support for law enforcement activities throughout the kingdom. The major operational units of the force were the Provincial Police, the Border Patrol Police (BPP), the Metropolitan Police, and smaller specialized units supervised by the Central Investigation Bureau.
In mid-1987 the total strength of the TNPD, including administrative and support personnel, was estimated at roughly 110,000. Of this number, over one-half were assigned to the Provincial Police and some 40,000 to the BPP. More than 10,000 served in the Metropolitan Police. Quasi-military in character, the TNPD was headed by a director general, who held the rank of police general. He was assisted by three deputy directors general and five assistant directors general, all of whom held the rank of police lieutenant general. Throughout the TNPD system, all ranks except the lowest (constable) corresponded to those of the army. The proliferation of high ranks in the TNPD organizational structure, as in the military, indicated the political impact of the police on national life.
In 1998, TNPD was transferred from the Ministry of Interior of Thailand to be directly under the Office of the Prime Minister. It acquired a new name, in English, the "Royal Thai Police" (RTP). The title of its commander was changed from "Director-General of the TNPD" to "Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police".
Personnel
Thailand's police forces number about 230,000 officers. About eight percent (18,400) are female. For comparison, in the Philippines the percentage of female police officers is 20 percent, 18 percent in Malaysia, and 30 percent in Sweden which hold the world's highest percentage of female police officers. Of 8,000 investigators with the RTP, 400 are women.
Females were first admitted to the Royal Police Cadet Academy (RPCA), founded in 1901, in 2009. It has since graduated about 700 female officers. Starting with the class to be admitted for the 2019 academic year, the 280 places formerly reserved for females will be scrapped. Earlier in 2018, the RTP prohibited women from "inquiry official" roles. The rationale given was that women are hindered by domestic responsibilities, therefore less effective than male officers. Women will still be able to become police officers via other avenues. For example, women with law degrees will continue to be recruited.
National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda attributed the barring of women from the RPCA to a new Ministry of Defence ruling that all RPCA cadets must undergo an initial period of training at the male-only Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS). Critics say the new policy violates the 2015 Gender Equality Act, the constitution, Thailand's 20 year national strategy, as well as international conventions that prohibit gender discrimination.
Organization The Thai police are subdivided into several regions and services, each wielding their own powers.
Metropolitan Police Bureau
Responsible for providing all law enforcement services for the capital city of Bangkok and its suburbs, the Metropolitan Police Bureau is probably the most visible and publicly recognizable of all Thai police components. This largely uniformed urban force operates under the command of a chief who holds the rank of police lieutenant general assisted by six deputy chiefs. Organizationally, the force consists of three divisions, each responsible for police services in one of the three urban areas: northern Bangkok, southern Bangkok, and Thonburi. , there are 88 police stations across the capital, each with 30-200 police officers attached to it. In addition to covering the city with foot patrols, the Metropolitan Police maintains motorized units, a canine corps, building guards, traffic-control specialists, and law enforcement personnel trained to deal with juveniles. The Traffic Police Division also provides escorts and guards of honor for the king and visiting dignitaries and served as a riot-control force to prevent demonstrations and to disperse unruly crowds in Bangkok. Traffic Police Division, The Traffic Police Division (TPD) got its start in 1927 as the "Registration Division". TPD officers now are responsible for patrolling the roads throughout their areas of responsibility. In addition to their general road policing duties, they work to improve road safety, and deal with vehicle crimes and the criminal use of the road network. They back up other units as they are constantly roaming as part of their patrolling duties. Patrol and Special operation Division (191 Special Branch police), Patrol and Special operation Division is a direct commander of Arintharat 26 Special Operations Unit. Protection and Crowds Control Division (PCCD) got its start in 2009. PCCD has a mission to offer protection and security to the King, the Queen, the royal family, royal representative visitor's and with a crowd control mission.
Border Patrol Police Bureau
A 40,000 person paramilitary force. The BPP and the PARU were largely creations of the US CIA. In the late-1950s and 1960s, "The BPP and PARU were integral in U.S. and Thai counterinsurgency efforts." The BPP, other than protecting the borders, countered "infiltration and subversion..." and operated "as guerrilla forces in enemy held areas" such as northeast and southern Thailand. The PARU was a small unit used on clandestine missions outside Thailand.
Central Investigation Bureau
The national coordinating headquarters has jurisdiction over the entire country. The CIB was organized to assist both provincial and metropolitan components of the Royal Thai Police in preventing and suppressing criminal activity and in minimizing threats to national security.
Divisions under Central Investigation Bureau Specialized units of the bureau, including the railroad, marine, highway, technology police, economic police and forestry police, who employ up-to-date technical equipment, law enforcement techniques, and training. Ten other divisions and offices employed modern procedures to assist in investigating and preventing crime. Crime Suppression Division (CSD) (; ), one of the bureau's largest components, is responsible for conducting most of the technical investigations of criminal offenses throughout the kingdom. Its emergency unit copes with riots and other public disorders, sabotage, counterfeiting, fraud, illegal gambling operations, narcotics trafficking, and the activities of secret societies, and organized criminal associations. It is responsible for cases involving politics, notably elections. Special Service Division (SSD) (; ), In October 2018, a new police unit, whose job it is to protect the monarchy, the "Special Service Division", was formed. The 1,600 man unit is to provide security to the royal family and to collect information on "individuals or groups whose behaviors pose a threat to the national security and His Majesty the King." The unit is also charged with carrying out the king's "royal wishes". On 28 January 2019, the unit's name was changed to "Ratchawallop Police Retainers, King's Guard 904". Its jurisdiction will extend to the entire country. In July 2020, the unit's change the name back to the "Special Service Division" and increase the authority to Counter-Terrorism, Resisting sabotage, riot control and bomb disposal in the area around the royal court. Anti Trafficking in Persons Crime Suppression Division (ATPD) (; ) is a specialized law enforcement unit dedicated to combating human trafficking and related crimes. Its primary mission is to prevent, suppress, and dismantle networks involved in the exploitation of individuals, including forced labor, sexual exploitation, and child trafficking. Highway Police Division (HPD)(; ) is tasked with ensuring safety, security, and efficiency on Thailand's roadways. Its responsibilities include patrolling highways, enforcing traffic laws, managing road accidents, and assisting motorists. Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) (; ) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating and preventing economic and financial crimes that affect Thailand’s economy and public trust.