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The Royal Thai Navy |
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During the reign of King Rama IV, the navy was
located in two areas: the Wang Na Navy, under the
command of King Pinklao, and the marines for the
warships under the command of Somdej Pharaya Borommaha
Sri Suriyawong (Chuang Bunnag) then the SamuhaKalahom(Defence
Minister). At the start of King Rama V's reign, the
system of administration was Jatusadom or the
division into four ministries (Interior, Royal
Household, Finance, Agriculture), with the Defence
minister commanding the militaly. At the time, the navy
was divided into 2 major sections: the first was under
the defance minister called "the Royal Palace Navy"
or "Orasumpol Navy", and the other was under
the command of Krom Phra Rajawang Bovorn Sathan Mongkol,
named "Phra Racha Wang Bavorn Navy" or "Wang
Na Navy". The Orasumpol Department comprised three
main units: the steam ship department, the Mon volunteer
deparment and the Chan volunteer department. The Wang Na
Navy had several units under its command: the steam
ships department, Cham volunteer department and sea
department, also known as sailors department. |
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In 1885, when Krom Phra Rajawang Bovorn sathan
Mongkol(Krom Phra Rajawang Bovornvijaya Jarn) passed
away, the Wang Na forces, both army and navy were
disbanded. There remained then two major navy forces:
Krom Saeng Navy and Orasumpol Navy. Later, King
Chulalongkorn appointed H.R.H. Crown Prince Maha
Vajirunhis Commander-in-Chief and set up a military
system on 8 April 1887 by establishing a War and Marine
Department (Krom Yuthanathikarn). In this royal decree,
the army and navy were both placed under the command of
the Crown Prince. Because the Prince was still a junior,
The King made H.H. Prince Bhanubandhuwongse Voradej
acting Commander-in-Chief and General Supervisor. As for
the Navy, the king appointed Vice Admiral H.H. Prince
Saisanidwongse Secretary to the Navy with the following
dities: |
1. To manage all issues related
to naval rules and regulations
2. To manage all issues related to
troops and personnel
3. To manage all issues related to
Naval Training
4. To manage all issues related to
His Majesty's Ship
5. To manage all issues related to
naval transport |
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Later in 1890, the 1887 royal decree was
revoked and a decree to establish and manage the
Department of War and Marine was issued on 1 April 1890.
In the new Decree, the name of the department was
changed to "Ministry of War and Marine" with the duties
of commanding navy and army personnel. The new decree
also revoked the position of General Commander and set
up the position of Field Marshal or "Commander-in-Chief"
with absolute control of army and navy forces. According
to traditions, the King would hold this position and the
Crown Prince would also take up duties. Two units were
under direct command: Army Department and Navy
Department. The first Chief Staff of the navy was H.H.
Prince Khachorn Charaswongse (Krom Muen Prab Porapaksha). |
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Organization of the Navy Department 1890 |
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1. Central Department |
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Victual ling Purchasing |
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Accountant |
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Recruiting |
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Navy prison |
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Dockyard |
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Engineering |
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Medical |
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Navy School |
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2. His Majesty's Ships and Royal Ships |
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3. Forts |
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4. Coastguards |
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In
1892, new administrative restructuring was effected
superseding the previous four-ministries system
(Interior, Royal Household, Finance, Agriculture). A
system of 12 ministries was enforced with the Interior
Ministry assuming responsibilities for various cities
around the kingdom. The Ministry of Defence was no
longer responsible for state administration, but only
military affairs. Thus in 1892, the Navy Department was
placed under the command of Ministry of Defence rather
than the Ministry of war and Marines. (With the Ministry
of War and Marines looking after only the army). Later,
on 11 December 1910, King Mongkut upgraded the Navy
Department to the Ministry of Navy and on the same day
appointed a Ministry of the Navy(senabodi). The
Ministerial meeting passed a resolution to establish a
Defence Council to coordinate the effort of the army and
navy in defence of the country. |
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The Misistry of Defence, 1931 |
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Chief of Staff of the Army was also appointed by the
King to be Permanent Secretary and Minister of Defence.
The Minister of Navy and other high ranking officers
both in service and retired were appointed members of
the Council.
Since the Navy Department has been made into a
Ministry of Navy, the administrative system was
continually updated. However, no major changes were made
to the infrastructure but some sections were upgraded to
division or departments as required.
During the reign of King Prachadhipok or Rama
VII, the world faced an economic recession and Thailand,
without exception, was severely affected. The finance
and economy of Thailand was in such a low state that
country spending were reduced and offices reorganized.
On 8 November 1931, the King ordered the organisation of
the Navy and Army into one unit under the name of the
Ministry of Defence.
In 1932, the country's administration changed
from Absolute Monarchy to Constitutional Monarchy. The
Ministry of the Navy was downsized to a Navy Department.
During these crucial times, a Central Ministry of
Defence committee was organised. Some of the navy
sections which were transferred to army command were
placed back under navy command and all navy department
were downgraded to divisions except for the Chief of
staff Department. On 30 November 1933, the King issued a
decree to change the name of the Navy Department to "The
Royal Thai Navy" to conform with "The Royal Thai Army"
and placed it under the direct command of the Ministry
of Defence. |
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Aerial view of Phra Pacha Wang Derm,
former palace of King Taksin the Great |
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In 1906, King Rama V granted the use of
King Taksin's palace to the Royal Thai Navy for
construction of the Naval Academy on 20 November
1906 and signed the guest book as follows: |
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View of Phra Pacha Wang Derm from
the Chao Phraya River |
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