Military circles of Thailand

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

Military Circles of Thailand
  • Also known as:
  • Thai: มณฑลทหารบก
Military circles and provinces (1990-2014)
Military circles (present)
CategoryMilitary district
Location Thailand
Number35 (as of 2015)

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

Map of military circles of Thailand

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

History

1948-1965

From 1897 to 1933, Siam (now Thailand) was divided into 21 civil circles (monthons). Each circle covers several civil provinces (changwats), headed by governors. Each province 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 circles since then.[3]

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

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 circles, which, in turns, encompassed many military provinces.[5]

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

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

2015-present

In 2015, a military government led by Prayut Chan-o-cha dissolved all military provinces.[1] This resulted in the establishment of many military circles, covering one or few civil circles (or provinces) to shorten the chain of command. Each military circle 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 circles. Military Region 3 formerly had 3 military circles but now have 10 military circles, most of which cover only one civil circle.

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

Roles

In accordance with the ministerial regulations on the roles and coverage of military circles, military circles[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.

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

References
  1. ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, กฎกระทรวงกําหนดหน้าที่และเขตพื้นที่ของมณฑลทหารบก พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๘, เล่ม ๑๓๖ ตอนที่ ๘๐ ก ๘ กันยายน ๒๕๕๘ (Ministerial Regulations on the roles and coverage of military circles, 2015)
  2. สมเด็จฯ กรมพระยาดํารงราชานุภาพ กับการปฏิรูปกระทรวงมหาดไทย
  3. ราชกิจจานุเบกษา,พระราชบัญญัติว่าด้วยระเบียบราชการบริหารแห่งราชอาณาจักรสยาม พ.ศ.๒๔๗๖, เล่ม ๕๐, หน้า ๗๕๑, ๙ ธันวาคม ๒๔๗๖ (Government Organisation of Siam Act, 1933)
  4. ราชกิจจานุเบกษา,พระราชกฤษฎีกาจัดวางระเบียบราชการกองทัพบกในกระทรวงกลาโหม พ.ศ.๒๔๙๑, ตอนที่ ๕๓, เล่ม ๗๕, ๑๕ กันยายน ๒๔๙๑ (By-law on the organisation of the Royal Thai Army, 1948)
  5. 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)
  6. ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, กฎกระทรวง ฉบับที่ ๔ (พ.ศ.๒๕๑๗) ออกตามความในพระราชบัญญัติจัดระเบียบราชการกระทรวงกลาโหม พ.ศ.๒๕๐๓, เล่ม ๙๑, ตอนที่ ๒๒๕, ๒๙ ธันวาคม ๒๕๑๗ (Ministerial Regulations on the Organisation of the Royal Thai Army, 1974)
  7. 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)
  8. ราชกิจจานุเบกษากฎกระทรวงกําหนดส่วนราชการที่ขึ้นตอกองทัพภาคและเขตพื้นที่ของมณฑลทหารบกและจังหวัดทหารบก พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๒, เล่ม ๑๒๖ ตอนที่ ๑๒ ก, ๒๐ กุมภาพนธ์ ๒๕๕๒ (Ministerial Regulations on Military Regions, Circles and Provinces, 2009)
  9. ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, กฎกระทรวงกําหนดหน้าที่และเขตพื้นที่ของมณฑลทหารบก (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๒, เล่ม ๑๓๒ ตอนที่ ๘๖ ก ๒๗ มิถุนายน ๒๕๖๒ (Ministerial Regulations on the roles and coverage of military circles (2nd edition), 2019)
  10. ราชกิจจานุเบกษา,[https://web.archive.org/web/20090419035456/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)
  11. Area of Responsibility, Naval Region 1

See also
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