The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army () 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 the Siamese revolution of 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
Royal Thai Army No. Portrait Rank Name Took office Left office 11 Colonel Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena(Phot Phahonyothin) 1932 1938 12 Luang Phibunsongkhram(Plaek Phibunsongkhram) 1938 1944 13 Lieutenant General Phichit Kriangsakphichit 6 August 1944 24 August 1944 11 General Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena(Phot Phahonyothin) 1944 1946 14 General Adul Aduldejaraj(Bhat Peungprakhun) 1946 1947 12 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 Wongsuwon 2004 2005 35 General Sonthi Boonyaratglin 2005 2007 36 General Anupong Paochinda 2007 2010 37 General Prayut Chan-o-cha 2010 2014 38 General Udomdej Sitabutr 2014 2015 39 General Thirachai Nakwanich 2015 2016 40 General Chalermchai Sitthisart 2016 2018 41 General Apirat Kongsompong 2018 2020 42 General Narongphan Jitkaewthae 2020 2023 43 General Charoenchai Hinthao 2023 2024 44 General Phana Khlaeoplotthuk 2024 Incumbent
Timeline
See also Royal Thai Armed Forces Highest Commander 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
www.rta.mi.th
External links Website of the Royal Thai Army (in Thai)