# Military ranks of the Thai armed forces

The military ranks of Thailand are the military insignia used by the Royal Thai Armed Forces. The officer ranks are influenced by the ranks of the United Kingdom and United States, while the non-commissioned ranks are influenced by those of the United Kingdom and France.

## Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.
| Rank group | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |
| Royal Thai Army vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Royal Thai Army vte | จอมพล Chom phon | จอมพล Chom phon | พลเอก Phon ek | พลเอก Phon ek | พลโท Phon tho | พลโท Phon tho | พลตรี Phon tri | พลตรี Phon tri | | | พันเอก Phan ek | พันเอก Phan ek | พันโท Phan tho | พันโท Phan tho | พันตรี Phan tri | พันตรี Phan tri | ร้อยเอก Roi ek | ร้อยเอก Roi ek | ร้อยโท Roi tho | ร้อยโท Roi tho | ร้อยโท Roi tho | ร้อยตรี Roi tri | ร้อยตรี Roi tri | ร้อยตรี Roi tri |
| Anglicised version | Field marshal | Field marshal | General | General | Lieutenant general | Lieutenant general | Major general | Major general | | | Colonel | Colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Major | Major | Captain | Captain | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant | Second lieutenant |
| Royal Thai Navy vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Royal Thai Navy vte | จอมพลเรือ Chom phon ruea | จอมพลเรือ Chom phon ruea | พลเรือเอก Phon ruea ek | พลเรือเอก Phon ruea ek | พลเรือโท Phon ruea tho | พลเรือโท Phon ruea tho | พลเรือตรี Phon ruea tri | พลเรือตรี Phon ruea tri | | | นาวาเอก Nawa ek | นาวาเอก Nawa ek | นาวาโท Nawa tho | นาวาโท Nawa tho | นาวาตรี Nawa tri | นาวาตรี Nawa tri | เรือเอก Ruea ek | เรือเอก Ruea ek | เรือโท Ruea tho | เรือโท Ruea tho | เรือโท Ruea tho | เรือตรี Ruea tri | เรือตรี Ruea tri | เรือตรี Ruea tri |
| Anglicised version | Admiral of the fleet | Admiral of the fleet | Admiral | Admiral | Vice admiral | Vice admiral | Rear admiral | Rear admiral | | | Captain | Captain | Commander | Commander | Lieutenant commander | Lieutenant commander | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Lieutenant junior grade | Lieutenant junior grade | Lieutenant junior grade | Sub lieutenant | Sub lieutenant | Sub lieutenant |
| Royal Thai Air Force vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Royal Thai Air Force vte | จอมพลอากาศ Chom phon akat | จอมพลอากาศ Chom phon akat | พลอากาศเอก Phon akat ek | พลอากาศเอก Phon akat ek | พลอากาศโท Phon akat tho | พลอากาศโท Phon akat tho | พลอากาศตรี Phon akat tri | พลอากาศตรี Phon akat tri | | | นาวาอากาศเอก Nawa akat ek | นาวาอากาศเอก Nawa akat ek | นาวาอากาศโท Nawa akat tho | นาวาอากาศโท Nawa akat tho | นาวาอากาศตรี Nawa akat tri | นาวาอากาศตรี Nawa akat tri | เรืออากาศเอก Ruea akat ek | เรืออากาศเอก Ruea akat ek | เรืออากาศโท Ruea akat tho | เรืออากาศโท Ruea akat tho | เรืออากาศโท Ruea akat tho | เรืออากาศตรี Ruea akat tri | เรืออากาศตรี Ruea akat tri | เรืออากาศตรี Ruea akat tri |
| Anglicised version | Marshal of the Air Force | Marshal of the Air Force | Air chief marshal | Air chief marshal | Air marshal | Air marshal | Air vice marshal | Air vice marshal | | | Group captain | Group captain | Wing commander | Wing commander | Squadron leader | Squadron leader | Flight lieutenant | Flight lieutenant | Flying officer | Flying officer | Flying officer | Pilot officer | Pilot officer | Pilot officer |
| Rank group | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |

### Student officer ranks

| Rank group | Student officer | Student officer | Student officer | Student officer | Student officer |
| Royal Thai Navy | | | | | |
| Royal Thai Navy | ชั้นปีที่ 5 Chận pī thī̀ 5 | ชั้นปีที่ 4 Chận pī thī̀ 4 | ชั้นปีที่ 3 Chận pī thī̀ 3 | ชั้นปีที่ 2 Chận pī thī̀ 2 | ชั้นปีที่ 1 Chận pī thī̀ 1 |

## Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted |
| Royal Thai Army vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia |
| Royal Thai Army vte | จ่าสิบเอก Cha sip ek | จ่าสิบเอก Cha sip ek | จ่าสิบเอก Cha sip ek | จ่าสิบเอก Cha sip ek | จ่าสิบเอก Cha sip ek | จ่าสิบเอก Cha sip ek | จ่าสิบโท Cha sip tho | จ่าสิบโท Cha sip tho | จ่าสิบตรี Cha sip tri | จ่าสิบตรี Cha sip tri | | | | | | | สิบเอก Sip ek | สิบเอก Sip ek | สิบเอก Sip ek | สิบเอก Sip ek | สิบเอก Sip ek | สิบเอก Sip ek | สิบโท Sip tho | สิบโท Sip tho | สิบโท Sip tho | สิบโท Sip tho | | | สิบตรี Sip tri | สิบตรี Sip tri | สิบตรี Sip tri | สิบตรี Sip tri | สิบตรี Sip tri | สิบตรี Sip tri | พลทหาร Phon thahan | พลทหาร Phon thahan |
| Anglicised version | Sergeant major 1st class | Sergeant major 1st class | Sergeant major 1st class | Sergeant major 1st class | Sergeant major 1st class | Sergeant major 1st class | Sergeant major 2nd class | Sergeant major 2nd class | Sergeant major 3rd class | Sergeant major 3rd class | | | | | | | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | | | Lance corporal | Lance corporal | Lance corporal | Lance corporal | Lance corporal | Lance corporal | Private | Private |
| Royal Thai Navy vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia |
| Royal Thai Navy vte | พันจ่าเอก Phan cha ek | พันจ่าเอก Phan cha ek | พันจ่าเอก Phan cha ek | พันจ่าเอก Phan cha ek | พันจ่าเอก Phan cha ek | พันจ่าเอก Phan cha ek | พันจ่าโท Phan cha tho | พันจ่าโท Phan cha tho | พันจ่าตรี Phan cha tri | พันจ่าตรี Phan cha tri | | | | | | | จ่าเอก Cha ek | จ่าเอก Cha ek | จ่าเอก Cha ek | จ่าเอก Cha ek | จ่าเอก Cha ek | จ่าเอก Cha ek | จ่าโท Cha tho | จ่าโท Cha tho | จ่าโท Cha tho | จ่าโท Cha tho | จ่าตรี Cha tri | จ่าตรี Cha tri | | | | | | | พลทหาร Phon thahan | พลทหาร Phon thahan |
| Anglicised version | Chief petty officer first class | Chief petty officer first class | Chief petty officer first class | Chief petty officer first class | Chief petty officer first class | Chief petty officer first class | Chief petty officer second class | Chief petty officer second class | Chief petty officer third class | Chief petty officer third class | | | | | | | Petty officer first class | Petty officer first class | Petty officer first class | Petty officer first class | Petty officer first class | Petty officer first class | Petty officer second class | Petty officer second class | Petty officer second class | Petty officer second class | Petty officer third class | Petty officer third class | | | | | | | Seaman | Seaman |
| Royal Thai Air Force vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia |
| Royal Thai Air Force vte | พันจ่าอากาศเอก Phan cha akat ek | พันจ่าอากาศเอก Phan cha akat ek | พันจ่าอากาศเอก Phan cha akat ek | พันจ่าอากาศเอก Phan cha akat ek | พันจ่าอากาศเอก Phan cha akat ek | พันจ่าอากาศเอก Phan cha akat ek | พันจ่าอากาศโท Phan cha akat tho | พันจ่าอากาศโท Phan cha akat tho | พันจ่าอากาศตรี Phan cha akat tri | พันจ่าอากาศตรี Phan cha akat tri | | | | | | | จ่าอากาศเอก Cha akat ek | จ่าอากาศเอก Cha akat ek | จ่าอากาศเอก Cha akat ek | จ่าอากาศเอก Cha akat ek | จ่าอากาศเอก Cha akat ek | จ่าอากาศเอก Cha akat ek | จ่าอากาศโท Cha akat tho | จ่าอากาศโท Cha akat tho | จ่าอากาศโท Cha akat tho | จ่าอากาศโท Cha akat tho | | | จ่าอากาศตรี Cha akat tri | จ่าอากาศตรี Cha akat tri | จ่าอากาศตรี Cha akat tri | จ่าอากาศตรี Cha akat tri | จ่าอากาศตรี Cha akat tri | จ่าอากาศตรี Cha akat tri | พลทหาร Phon thahan | พลทหาร Phon thahan |
| Anglicised version | Flight Sergeant first class | Flight Sergeant first class | Flight Sergeant first class | Flight Sergeant first class | Flight Sergeant first class | Flight Sergeant first class | Flight Sergeant second class | Flight Sergeant second class | Flight Sergeant third class | Flight Sergeant third class | | | | | | | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | | | Senior Airman | Senior Airman | Senior Airman | Senior Airman | Senior Airman | Senior Airman | Airman | Airman |
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted |
There is a special rank (Army: Special Sergeant Major 1st Class (Thai: จ่าสิบเอกพิเศษ, romanized: Cha Sip Ek Phiset); navy: Fleet chief petty officer (Thai: พันจ่าเอกพิเศษ, romanized: Phan cha ek phiset); air force: Special flight sergeant 1st class (Thai: พันจ่าอากาศเอกพิเศษ, romanized: Phan cha akat ek phiset)) which is an honorary rank given to senior enlisted members who are deserving of recognition above and beyond that of the highest enlisted rank. There is no difference in the rank insignia worn, and they do not outrank the normal highest enlisted rank, although in a group situation they will normally be assigned control. They receive a higher salary.

## Royal Thai Police

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) is sometimes considered as the fourth armed service of Thailand (๔ เหล่าทัพ), but reports directly to the Prime Minister's Department rather than to the Ministry of Defense. The Royal Thai Police share the same rank system as the Royal Thai Army but the particularities of the police are the star representing the commissioned officer and the crown over the star. The Royal Thai Police uses the eight-pointed silver star and the silver crown with a halo on top, while the Royal Thai Army uses the five-pointed gold star and the gold crown with no halo for its officer shoulder boards.

### Officers

| Rank group | General/flag officers | General/flag officers | General/flag officers | General/flag officers | General/flag officers | General/flag officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |
| Royal Thai Police vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Royal Thai Police vte | พลตำรวจเอก Phon Tam Ruad Ek | พลตำรวจเอก Phon Tam Ruad Ek | พลตำรวจโท Phon Tam Ruad Tho | พลตำรวจโท Phon Tam Ruad Tho | พลตำรวจตรี Phon Tam Ruad Tri | พลตำรวจตรี Phon Tam Ruad Tri | พันตำรวจเอก Phan Tam Ruad Ek | พันตำรวจเอก Phan Tam Ruad Ek | พันตำรวจโท Phan Tam Ruad Tho | พันตำรวจโท Phan Tam Ruad Tho | พันตำรวจตรี Phan Tam Ruad Tri | พันตำรวจตรี Phan Tam Ruad Tri | ร้อยตำรวจเอก Roi Tam Ruad Ek | ร้อยตำรวจเอก Roi Tam Ruad Ek | ร้อยตำรวจโท Roi Tam Ruad Tho | ร้อยตำรวจโท Roi Tam Ruad Tho | ร้อยตำรวจโท Roi Tam Ruad Tho | ร้อยตำรวจตรี Roi Tam Ruad Tri | ร้อยตำรวจตรี Roi Tam Ruad Tri | ร้อยตำรวจตรี Roi Tam Ruad Tri | นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad | นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad | นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad | นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad | นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad | นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad | นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad | นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad | นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad | นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad | นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad | นักเรียนนายร้อยตำรวจ Nak Rian Nai Roi Tam Ruad |
| Abbreviation | พล.ต.อ. | พล.ต.อ. | พล.ต.ท. | พล.ต.ท. | พล.ต.ต. | พล.ต.ต. | พ.ต.อ. | พ.ต.อ. | พ.ต.ท. | พ.ต.ท. | พ.ต.ต. | พ.ต.ต. | ร.ต.อ. | ร.ต.อ. | ร.ต.ท. | ร.ต.ท. | ร.ต.ท. | ร.ต.ต. | ร.ต.ต. | ร.ต.ต. | นรต. | นรต. | นรต. | นรต. | นรต. | นรต. | นรต. | นรต. | นรต. | นรต. | นรต. | นรต. |
| Anglicised version | Police General | Police General | Police Lieutenant General | Police Lieutenant General | Police Major General | Police Major General | Police Colonel | Police Colonel | Police Lieutenant Colonel | Police Lieutenant Colonel | Police Major | Police Major | Police Captain | Police Captain | Police Lieutenant | Police Lieutenant | Police Lieutenant | Police 2nd Lieutenant | Police 2nd Lieutenant | Police 2nd Lieutenant | Police Cadet Officer | Police Cadet Officer | Police Cadet Officer | Police Cadet Officer | Police Cadet Officer | Police Cadet Officer | Police Cadet Officer | Police Cadet Officer | Police Cadet Officer | Police Cadet Officer | Police Cadet Officer | Police Cadet Officer |
| UK equivalent Army ranks/Police ranks | General Commissioner | General Commissioner | Lieutenant General Deputy Commissioner | Lieutenant General Deputy Commissioner | Major General Assistant Commissioner | Major General Assistant Commissioner | Colonel Chief Superintendent | Colonel Chief Superintendent | Lieutenant Colonel Divisional Superintendent | Lieutenant Colonel Divisional Superintendent | Major Superintendent | Major Superintendent | Captain Chief Inspector | Captain Chief Inspector | Lieutenant Inspector | Lieutenant Inspector | Lieutenant Inspector | Second Lieutenant Subdivisional Inspector | Second Lieutenant Subdivisional Inspector | Second Lieutenant Subdivisional Inspector | Officer Cadet | Officer Cadet | Officer Cadet | Officer Cadet | Officer Cadet | Officer Cadet | Officer Cadet | Officer Cadet | Officer Cadet | Officer Cadet | Officer Cadet | Officer Cadet |

### Non-Commissioned Officers

| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | Enlisted |
| Royal Thai Police vte | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No insignia | No insignia |
| Royal Thai Police vte | ดาบตำรวจ Dap Tamruat | ดาบตำรวจ Dap Tamruat | ดาบตำรวจ Dap Tamruat | ดาบตำรวจ Dap Tamruat | ดาบตำรวจ Dap Tamruat | ดาบตำรวจ Dap Tamruat | จ่าสิบตำรวจ Cha Sip Tamruat | จ่าสิบตำรวจ Cha Sip Tamruat | สิบตำรวจเอก Sip Tamruat Ek | สิบตำรวจเอก Sip Tamruat Ek | สิบตำรวจเอก Sip Tamruat Ek | สิบตำรวจเอก Sip Tamruat Ek | สิบตำรวจเอก Sip Tamruat Ek | สิบตำรวจเอก Sip Tamruat Ek | สิบตำรวจโท Sip Tamruat Tho | สิบตำรวจโท Sip Tamruat Tho | สิบตำรวจโท Sip Tamruat Tho | สิบตำรวจโท Sip Tamruat Tho | สิบตำรวจตรี Sip Tamruat Tri | สิบตำรวจตรี Sip Tamruat Tri | พลตำรวจ Phon Tamruat | พลตำรวจ Phon Tamruat |
| English | Police sergeant major | Police sergeant major | Police sergeant major | Police sergeant major | Police sergeant major | Police sergeant major | Police Master sergeant | Police Master sergeant | Police sergeant | Police sergeant | Police sergeant | Police sergeant | Police sergeant | Police sergeant | Police corporal | Police corporal | Police corporal | Police corporal | Police lance corporal | Police lance corporal | Police constable | Police constable |

## Volunteer Defense Corps (Thailand)

The Volunteer Defense Corps (กองอาสารักษาดินแดน; abbreviated VDC) is a Thai paramilitary under the authority of the Department Of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior. It was founded in 1954 to provide extra military support to the Royal Thai Armed Forces and to protect local civilians living near Thailand's borders. Its ranks mirror those of both the RTA and the RTP.

### Officers

| Rank group | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |
| Volunteer Defense Corps | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Volunteer Defense Corps | VDC General | VDC General | VDC Colonel | VDC Colonel | VDC Lieutenant Colonel | VDC Lieutenant Colonel | VDC Major | VDC Major | VDC Captain | VDC Captain | VDC First Lieutenant | VDC First Lieutenant | VDC First Lieutenant | VDC Second Lieutenant | VDC Second Lieutenant | VDC Second Lieutenant |
| Volunteer Defense Corps | VDC Gen | VDC Gen | VDC Col | VDC Col | VDC Lt Col | VDC Lt Col | VDC Maj | VDC Maj | VDC Capt | VDC Capt | VDC 1st Lt | VDC 1st Lt | VDC 1st Lt | VDC 2nd Lt | VDC 2nd Lt | VDC 2nd Lt |

### Enlisted

| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted |
| Volunteer Defense Corps | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Volunteer Defense Corps | VDC Sergeant Major | VDC Sergeant Major | VDC Sergeant Major | VDC Sergeant Major | VDC Sergeant Major | VDC Sergeant Major | VDC Sergeant Major | VDC Sergeant Major | VDC Sergeant | VDC Sergeant | VDC Sergeant | VDC Sergeant | VDC Sergeant | VDC Sergeant | VDC Corporal | VDC Corporal | VDC Corporal | VDC Corporal | VDC Private First Class | VDC Private First Class | VDC Private First Class | VDC Private First Class | VDC Private First Class | VDC Private First Class | VDC Member | VDC Member |
| Volunteer Defense Corps | VDC Sgt Maj | VDC Sgt Maj | VDC Sgt Maj | VDC Sgt Maj | VDC Sgt Maj | VDC Sgt Maj | VDC Sgt Maj | VDC Sgt Maj | VDC Sgt | VDC Sgt | VDC Sgt | VDC Sgt | VDC Sgt | VDC Sgt | VDC Cpl | VDC Cpl | VDC Cpl | VDC Cpl | VDC Pfc | VDC Pfc | VDC Pfc | VDC Pfc | VDC Pfc | VDC Pfc | VDC Mbr | VDC Mbr |

## Rank structure

Chom (จอม) (Also used as Chom Thap (จอมทัพ)) is Head of Forces, there can only be one Chom Thap at a time, the King is the Chom Thap. (Phon พล.) Ranks below commander-in-chief use Thai alternate numbers.