Paramilitary Marine Regiment

The Paramilitary Marine Regiment, Royal Thai Navy or Thahan Phran Marines (Thai: กรมทหารพรานนาวิกโยธิน กองทัพเรือ) is a Thahan Phran marines paramilitary forces in the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC). It falls under the command of the RTMC, which has been approved in the establishment of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is considered to be the most powerful combat unit of the Royal Thai Marine Paramilitary Force.

Paramilitary Marine Regiment Royal Thai Navy
กรมทหารพรานนาวิกโยธิน กองทัพเรือ
Active	1977–present
Country	Thailand
Branch	Royal Thai Navy
Type	Paramilitary
Size	Regiment (~1,622)
Part of	Royal Thai Marine Corps
Garrison/HQ	Sattahip, Chonburi
Nickname(s)	นักรบดำ (Black Warrior) เหยี่ยวดำ (Black Kestrel) ประดู่เหล็ก (Iron Padauk)
Colors	Black
Mascot(s)	Black Kite
Engagements	Cold War Communist insurgency in Thailand Communist insurgency in Malaysia Vietnamese border raids in Thailand Southern Insurgency
Website	marines paramilitary

History

The Paramilitary Marine Regiment was originally founded during the years 1977-1978 due to a serious threat from a terrorist attack during the Communist insurgency in Thailand. Especially along the border it was organized by the local population because of a perception problem in the area.

Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters (RTARF) has agreed to perform on June 21, 1978, Cabinet of Thailand including approved on July 18, 1978, by the Royal Thai Army Special Operation Center 315, a control unit supervisor and training in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima.

After fighting to Communist insurgency in Thailand. Changed its mission to protect the country and Marine Corps need to expand accordingly. They include Troops are stationed Marines and volunteers.

Paramilitary Marine Regiment Was established in 2019 due to the Government of Thailand and Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has reduced forces in tackling the unrest in South Thailand insurgency.

The Royal Thai Navy has approved the establishment of a Paramilitary Marine Regiment by The Cabinet of Thai on May 24, 2016, to coincide with the Royal Thai Marine Corps.

Organization

• Paramilitary Marine 16 Companies
• 1st Female Paramilitary Marine 1 Platoon

Paramilitary Marine Regiment

• 1st Paramilitary Marine Company
• 2nd Paramilitary Marine Company
• 3rd Paramilitary Marine Company
• 4th Paramilitary Marine Company
• 5th Paramilitary Marine Company
• 6th Paramilitary Marine Company
• 7th Paramilitary Marine Company
• 8th Paramilitary Marine Company
• 9th Paramilitary Marine Company
• 10th Paramilitary Marine Company
• 11th Paramilitary Marine Company
• 12th Paramilitary Marine Company
• 13th Paramilitary Marine Company
• 14th Paramilitary Marine Company
• 15th Paramilitary Marine Company
• 16th Paramilitary Marine Company
• 1st Female Paramilitary Marine Platoon

Weapons

Small arms

Name	Type	Caliber	Origin	Notes
Type 86	Semi-automatic pistol	.45 ACP	Thailand	M1911A1 pistol produced under license.
Type 56-1	Assault rifle	7.62×39mm	China
Type 11	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm	Thailand	Thai license produced version of the Heckler & Koch HK33.
M16A1/A2/A4	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm	United States	Standard infantry rifle. Aging M16A1 will be replaced by IMI Tavor TAR-21 and M16A4.
M4A1 Carbine	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm	United States	Used by special forces. Some were equipped with SOPMOD kit.
M60 machine gun	General purpose machine gun	7.62×51mm	United States	Former main GPMG being replaced by FN MAG 58
Type 56 LMG	Light machine gun	7.62×39mm	China
M203	Underbarrel grenade launcher	40×46mm SR	United States
M79	Single-shot grenade launcher	40×46mm grenade	United States
Type 56 RPG	Rocket-propelled grenade		China
Type 69 RPG	Rocket-propelled grenade		China

External links

• Official website
• Official website