Military provinces of Thailand

Military Provinces of Thailand
Military Provinces of Thailand
Also known as:; Thai: มณฑลทหารบก;
Military provinces and counties (1990-2014)	Military provinces (present)
Category	Military district
Location	Thailand
Number	35 (as of 2015)

Military provinces of Thailand (Thai: มณฑลทหารบก, incorrectly referred to as the "military circles") are subdivisions of the Royal Thai Army. Each military province governs and supports all military units and personnel in its area. Several military provinces are grouped into a military region. A military province can cover one or more civil provinces.

Currently there are 35 military provinces, grouped into 4 military regions in Thailand.

Map of military provinces of Thailand[]

Military provinces in Thailand, according to the 2015 ministerial regulation,^[1] can be mapped as follows. Some military provinces cover more than one civil provinces, while many cover only one civil provinces (particularly northern provinces). Each military province is numbered. The first digit denotes the military region in which the military province is located. The second digit is a sequential number 1 to 9 (or 10). As a result, there are no military province 10, 20, 30 and 40.

History[]

1948-1965[]

From 1897 to 1933, Siam (now Thailand) was divided into 21 civil provinces (monthons). Each province covers several civil counties (changwats), headed by counts (or governors). Each county contains districts (amphurs), which in turns, covers subdistricts (tambons).^[2] The Government Organisation of Siam Act, 1933 eliminated the existence of monthons. As a result, changwats have been referred to as provinces since then.^[3]

However, the Royal Thai Army are differently organised. Thailand was divided into military provinces, each of which encompassed many military counties (Thai: จังหวัดทหารบก) and units, just like military regions (Thai: กองทัพภาค) today. Each military province had several roles, including the recruitment of new soldiers, military justice, national protection and peacekeeping.^[4] Military province encompassed many counties (or civil provinces). In 1948, there were five military provinces. Each province contains following counties:

Military Province 1 (central): Phra Nakhon, Thon Buri, Chai Nat, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Sing Buri, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Ang Thong;
Military Province 2 (eastern): Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri;^{[n 1]}
Military Province 3 (northeastern): Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Phanom,^{[n 2]} Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Khai,^{[n 3]} Buriram, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Loei, Sisaket, Sakon Nakhon, Surin, Udon Thani,^{[n 4]} Ubon Ratchathani;^{[n 5]}
Military Province 4 (northern): Kamphaeng Phet, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai,^{[n 6]} Tak, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phrae, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Lamphun, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani;
Military Province 5 (southern): Krabi, Kanchanaburi, Chumphon, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phetchaburi, Phuket, Yala, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani

1965-1990[]

It was realised in 1966 that the organisation of the army was too centralised, bulky and impractical. The government proposed that the country should be divided into three military regions. Each region covered several military provinces, which, in turns, encompassed many military counties.^[5]

Military Region 1
- 1st Military Province:
  - Bangkok Military County: Phra Nakhon, Thon Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Suphan Buri
  - Phetchaburi Military County: Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan
  - Ratchaburi Military County: Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi and Samut Songkhram
  - Saraburi Military County: Saraburi and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
- 2nd Military Province:
  - Chachoengsao Military County: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Trat and Rayong
  - Prachin Buri Military County: Prachin Buri and Nakhon Nayok
  - Lopburi Military County: Lopburi, Chai Nat, Sing Buri and Ang Thong
Military Region 2
- 3rd Military Province:
  - Khon Kaen Military County: Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham and Loei
  - Nakhon Ratchasima Military County: Nakhon Ratchasima and Chaiyaphum
  - Surin Military County: Surin and Buriram
  - Udon Military County: Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Sakon Nakhon
- 6th Military Province:
  - Roi Et Military County: Roi Et and Kalasin
  - Ubon Military County: Ubon Ratchathani and Sisaket
Military Region 3
- 4th Military Province:
  - Nakhon Sawan Military County: Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet and Uthai Thani
  - Phitsanulok Military County: Phitsanulok, Tak, Phichit, Phetchabun and Sukhothai
  - Uttaradit Military County: Uttaradit, Nan and Phrae
- 7th Military Province:
  - Chiang Rai Military County: Chiang Rai
  - Chiang Mai Military County: Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Lamphun
  - Lampang Military County: Lampang
- 5th Military Province (later 4th Military Region^[6]):
  - Chumphon Military County: Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani
  - Nakhon Si Thammarat Military County: Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Trang, Phangnga, Phatthalung and Phuket
  - Songkhla Military County: Songkhla, Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Satun

1990-2014[]

The Royal Thai Army underwent several reorganisations. In 1981, Chon Buri (region 1) and Chiang Mai (region 3) Military Counties was established.^[7] Chon Buri Military County covered Chon Buri, Trat and Rayong, while Chiang Mai Military County covered Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Lamphun. Frustrated by the complexities, the government completely rearranged its army into four Military Regions, each region has military provinces as follows

Military Region 1
- Military Province 11
  - Bangkok Military County: Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakarn and Samut Sakhon
  - Kanchanaburi Military County: Kanchanaburi and Suphan Buri
- Military Province 12
  - Prachin Buri Military County: Prachin Buri and Nakhon Nayok
  - Chachoengsao Military County: Chachoengsao
  - Sa Kaeo Military County: Sa Kaeo (formerly part of Prachin Buri)^[8]
- Military Province 13
  - Lopburi Military County: Lopburi, Chai Nat, Sing Buri and Ang Thong
  - Saraburi Military County: Saraburi and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
- Military Province 14
  - Chon Buri Military County: Chonburi, Chanthaburi, Trat and Rayong
- Military Province 15
  - Phetchaburi Military County (formerly part of Military Province 11): Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan
  - Ratchaburi Military County (formerly part of Military Province 11): Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram
Military Region 2
- Military Province 21
  - Nakhon Ratchasima Military County: Nakhon Ratchasima and Chaiyaphum
  - Buriram Military County: Buriram
  - Surin Military County: Surin
- Military Province 22
  - Ubon Military County: Ubon Ratchathani, Mukdahan, Sisaket and Amnat Charoen
  - Roi Et Military County: Roi Et and Yasothon
- Military Province 23
  - Khon Kaen Military County: Khon Kaen, Kalasin and Maha Sarakham
  - Loei Military County: Loei
- Military Province 24
  - Udon Military County: Udon, Nong Khai and Nong Bua Lamphu
  - Nakhon Phanom Military County: Nakhon Phanom
  - Sakon Nakhon Military County: Sakon Nakhon
Military Region 3
- Military Province 31
  - Nakhon Sawan Military County: Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet and Uthai Thani
  - Tak Military County: Tak
  - Phetchabun Military County: Phetchabun and Phichit
  - Phitsanulok Military County: Phitsanulok and Sukhothai
- Military Province 32
  - Lampang Military County: Lampang
  - Phayao Military County: Phayao
  - Nan Military County: Nan
  - Uttaradit Military County: Uttaradit and Phrae
- Military Province 33
  - Chiang Mai Military County: Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Lamphun
  - Chiang Rai Military County: Chiang Rai
Military Region 4
- Military Province 41
  - Nakhon Si Thammarat Military County: Nakhon Si Thammarat (except for Thung Song District), Krabi, Phangnga and Phuket
  - Chumphon Military County: Chumphon and Ranong
  - Thung Song Military County: Nakhon Si Thammarat (only Thung Song District) and Trang
  - Surat Thani Military County: Surat Thani
- Military Province 42
  - Songkhla Military County: Songkhla, Phatthalung and Satun
  - Pattani Military County: Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala

2015-present[]

In 2015, a military government led by Prayut Chan-o-cha dissolved all military counties.^[1] This resulted in the establishment of many military provinces, covering one or few civil provinces (or counties) to shorten the chain of command. Each military province is allocated its two- or three-digit code, beginning with military region code, followed by the number 1 to 10. It can be observed that the Military Region 2 was completely reorganised into several military provinces. Military Region 3 formerly had 3 military provinces but now have 10 military provinces, most of which cover only one civil province.

Military Region 1 (Central)
- Military Province 11 (Bangkok Military Province): Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakarn
- Military Province 12 (Prachin Buri Military Province): Prachin Buri, Nakhon Nayok and Chachoengsao
- Military Province 13 (Lopburi Military Province): Lopburi, Chai Nat, Sing Buri and Ang Thong
- Military Province 14 (Chon Buri Military Province): Chon Buri and Rayong
- Military Province 15 (Phetchaburi Military Province): Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Military Province 16 (Ratchaburi Military Province): Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon
- Military Province 17 (Kanchanaburi Military Province): Kanchanaburi and Suphan Buri
- Military Province 18 (Saraburi Military Province): Saraburi and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
- Military Province 19 (Sa Kaeo Military Province): Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi and Trat
Military Region 2 (Northeastern)
- Military Province 21 (Nakhon Ratchasima Military Province): Nakhon Ratchasima and Chaiyaphum
- Military Province 22 (Ubon Military Province): Ubon Ratchathani and Amnat Charoen
- Military Province 23 (Khon Kaen Military Province): Khon Kaen and Kalasin
- Military Province 24 (Udon Military Province): Udon Thani and Nong Khai
- Military Province 25 (Surin Military Province): Surin and Sisaket
- Military Province 26 (Buriram Military Province): Buriram and Maha Sarakham
- Military Province 27 (Roi Et Military Province): Roi Et and Yasothon
- Military Province 28 (Loei Military Province): Loei and Nong Bua Lamphu
- Military Province 29 (Sakon Nakhon Military Province): Sakon Nakhon and Bueng Kan
- Military Province 210 (Nakhon Phanom Military Province): Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan
Military Region 3 (Northern)
- Military Province 31 (Nakhon Sawan Military Province): Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet and Uthai Thani
- Military Province 32 (Lampang Military Province): Lampang
- Military Province 33 (Chiang Mai Military Province): Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Lamphun
- Military Province 34 (Phayao Military Province): Phayao
- Military Province 35 (Uttaradit Military Province): Uttaradit and Phrae
- Military Province 36 (Phetchabun Military Province): Phetchabun and Phichit
- Military Province 37 (Chiang Rai Military Province): Chiang Rai
- Military Province 38 (Nan Military Province): Nan
- Military Province 39 (Phitsanulok Military Province): Phitsanulok and Sukhothai
- Military Province 310 (Tak Military Province): Tak
Military Region 4 (Southern)
- Military Province 41 (Nakhon Si Thammarat Military Province): Nakhon Si Thammarat (except for Thung Song District) and Phuket
- Military Province 42 (Songkhla Military Province): Songkhla, Phatthalung and Satun
- Military Province 43 (Thung Song Military Province): Nakhon Si Thammarat (only Thung Song District), Krabi and Trang
- Military Province 44 (Chumphon Military Province): Chumphon and Ranong
- Military Province 45 (Surat Thani Military Province): Surat Thani and Phangnga
- Military Province 46 (Pattani Military Province): Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala

Roles[]

In accordance with the ministerial regulations on the roles and coverage of military provinces, military provinces^[1]^[9]

Govern local military forces, according to instructions and regulations by the Ministry of Defence;
Maintain peace in its area; supervises military courts, cases, witness protection and military prisons;
Recruit new members of the forces; oversees conscription and military summoning;
Support military units in its area;
Protect the internal security and national security according to the strategic plan;
Support the government in supporting Thai citizens;
Work closely with the Internal Security Operations Command local centres.

Naval region[]

The Royal Thai Navy has a similar subdivision system. There are three naval regions in Thailand.^[10] Each region covers different sections of coastline.

Naval Region 1: Upper portion of the Gulf of Thailand, from Chumphon to Trat.^[11] Its headquarters are in Sattahip, Chon Buri.
Naval Region 2: Lower portion of the Gulf of Thailand, from Surat Thani to Narathiwat. Its headquarters are in Songkhla.
Naval Region 3: Andaman Sea, from Ranong to Satun. Its headquarters are in Phuket.

Notes[]

^ In 1993, part of Prachinburi was divided to form Sa Kaeo.
^ In 1982, part of Nakhon Phanom was divided to form Mukdahan.
^ In 2011, part of Nong Khai was divided to form Bueng Kan.
^ In 1993, part of Udon Thani was divided to form Nong Bua Lamphu.
^ In 1993, part of Ubon Ratchathani was divided to form Amnat Charoen.
^ In 1977, part of Chiang Rai was divided to form Phayao.

References[]

^ ^a ^b ^c ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, กฎกระทรวงกําหนดหน้าที่และเขตพื้นที่ของมณฑลทหารบก พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๘, เล่ม ๑๓๖ ตอนที่ ๘๐ ก ๘ กันยายน ๒๕๕๘ (Ministerial Regulations on the roles and coverage of military provinces, 2015)
^ สมเด็จฯ กรมพระยาดํารงราชานุภาพ กับการปฏิรูปกระทรวงมหาดไทย
^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษา,พระราชบัญญัติว่าด้วยระเบียบราชการบริหารแห่งราชอาณาจักรสยาม พ.ศ.๒๔๗๖, เล่ม ๕๐, หน้า ๗๕๑, ๙ ธันวาคม ๒๔๗๖ (Government Organisation of Siam Act, 1933)
^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษา,พระราชกฤษฎีกาจัดวางระเบียบราชการกองทัพบกในกระทรวงกลาโหม พ.ศ.๒๔๙๑, ตอนที่ ๕๓, เล่ม ๗๕, ๑๕ กันยายน ๒๔๙๑ (By-law on the organisation of the Royal Thai Army, 1948)
^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, กฎกระทรวง (พ.ศ.๒๕๐๙) ออกตามความในพระราชบัญญัติจัดระเบียบราชการกระทรวงกลาโหม พ.ศ.๒๕๐๓, ตอนที่ ๘, เล่ม ๘๓, ๒๕ มกราคม ๒๕๐๙ (Ministerial Regulations on the Organisation of the Royal Thai Army, 1966)
^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, กฎกระทรวง ฉบับที่ ๔ (พ.ศ.๒๕๑๗) ออกตามคว��มในพระราชบัญญัติจัดระเบียบราชการกระทรวงกลาโหม พ.ศ.๒๕๐๓, เล่ม ๙๑, ตอนที่ ๒๒๕, ๒๙ ธันวาคม ๒๕๑๗ (Ministerial Regulations on the Organisation of the Royal Thai Army, 1974)
^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, กฎกระทรวง ฉบับที่ ๖ (พ.ศ.๒๕๒๔) ออกตามความในพระราชบัญญัติจัดระเบียบราชการกระทรวงกลาโหม พ.ศ.๒๕๐๓, เล่ม ๙๘, ตอนที่ ๔๔, ๒๐ มีนาคม ๒๕๒๔ (Ministerial Regulations on the Organisation of the Royal Thai Army, 1981)
^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษากฎกระทรวงกําหนดส่วนราชการที่ขึ้นตอกองทัพภาคและเขตพื้นที่ของมณฑลทหารบกและจังหวัดทหารบก พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๒, เล่ม ๑๒๖ ตอนที่ ๑๒ ก, ๒๐ กุมภาพนธ์ ๒๕๕๒ (Ministerial Regulations on Military Regions, Provinces and Counties, 2009)
^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, กฎกระทรวงกําหนดหน้าที่และเขตพื้นที่ของมณฑลทหารบก (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๒, เล่ม ๑๓๒ ตอนที่ ๘๖ ก ๒๗ มิถุนายน ๒๕๖๒ (Ministerial Regulations on the roles and coverage of military provinces (2nd edition), 2019)
^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษา,[http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2552/A/019/26.PDF พระราชกฤษฎีกาแบ่งส่วนราชการและกําหนดหน้าที่ของส่วนราชการกองทัพเรือ กองทัพไทย กระทรวงกลาโหม พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๒],เล่ม ๑๒๖ ตอนท ี่ ๑๙ ก,๓๐ มีนาคม ๒๕๕๒ (By-law on the division of the Royal Thai Navy, Armies of Thailand, Ministry of Defence, 2009)
^ Area of Responsibility, Naval Region 1