31st Infantry Regiment (Thailand)
| 31st Infantry Regiment, King Guard | |
|---|---|
| กรมทหารราบที่ 31 รักษาพระองค์ ในพระบาทสมเด็จพระบรมชนกาธิเบศร มหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดชมหาราช บรมนาถบพิตร | |
 Emblem of the 31st Infantry Regiment, King Bhumibol's Guard | |
| Active | 31st Infantry Regiment, King Guard (1980 – present) 31st Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, King's Guard (1979 – 80) 31st Combined Regiment, 1st Division, King's Guard (1976 – 79) 31st Combined Regiment (1955 – 76) |
| Country |  Thailand |
| Allegiance | HM The King of Thailand |
| Branch |  Royal Thai Army |
| Type | Airborne forces King's Guard Rapid deployment force |
| Size | Regiment |
| Part of | 1st Division, King's Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | Thanon Yai, Mueang Lopburi district, Lopburi |
| Nickname(s) | กองพันทหารเสือ (Musketeer battalion) กองพันมรณะ (Battalion of death) |
| Motto(s) | ยอมตายดีกว่าเป็นทาส "Death is better than be slave." |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations | _ribbon.svg){kind=small} Bravery Medal (1st & 2nd Battalion)[1] |
| Website | www.rdf31.com |
The 31st Infantry Regiment, King Bhumibol's Guard (Thai: กรมทหารราบที่ 31 รักษาพระองค์ ในพระบาทสมเด็จพระบรมชนกาธิเบศร มหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดชมหาราช บรมนาถบพิตร) is a only airborne forces and rapid deployment force (RDF)'s King's Guard regiment of the 1st Division, King's Guard of the Royal Thai Army (RTA). The regiment was created in 1955. The regiment, despite being designated an infantry regiment is in fact a RDF unit. They are trained to be elite paratroopers (currently, armored units have been added.), but they are not special forces or special operations capable forces. Currently, only one battalion is an airborne forces that spearheads the role of the RDF, with the remaining two battalions being light infantry. The regiment is based in Lopburi. The regiment was honoured with the additional title of 'King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Guards'.
History
[edit]The regiment was founded on the 10 November 1955 as the 31st Combined Regiment (กรมผสมที่ 31). In 1956 the regiment became part of the 1st Division. The 1st Battalion of the regiment was transformed into a paratrooper unit in 1969, the rest of the battalions soon followed. In 1976 the regiment was designated a King's Guard unit. The regiment's name was changed from the '31st Combined Regiment' to '31st Infantry Regiment, King's Guard' in 1979. In 1980 the regiment was further honoured with the additional title of 'King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Own Guards'.[2][3]
Organization
[edit]The regiment is divided into three infantry battalions:
- Armored Company
- Mortar Company
- Reconnaissance Patrol Company
- 1st Infantry Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, King Bhumibol's Guard
- 2nd Infantry Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, King Bhumibol's Guard
- 3rd Infantry Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, King Bhumibol's Guard
References
[edit]- ^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษา. แจ้งความสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเหรียญกล้าหาญประดับธงชัยเฉลิมพล. เล่ม ๕๘, ตอน ๐ ง, ๒๙ เมษายน พ.ศ. ๒๔๘๔,หน้า ๙๑๓.
- ^ "ประวัติหน่วยกรมทหารราบที่ 31 รักษาพระองค์ (Thai)". กรมทหารราบที่ 31 รักษาพระองค์ (Official website of the 31st Infantry Regiment, King's Guard). Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
- ^ "History of the 1st Division, King's Guard (English)". กองพลที่ 1 รักษาพระองค์ (Official website of the 1st Infantry Division, King's Guard). Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
External links
[edit]- Official website of the 31st Infantry Regiment, King's Guard
- Thai Rapid Deployment Force
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