1st Infantry Regiment (Thailand)

21st King Close Bodyguard Regiment, King's Guard th กรมทหารมหาดเล็กราชวัลลภที่ 21 รักษาพระองค์ Emblem of the 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Own Bodyguard.svg Rajawallop insignia, the official emblem of the 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Close Bodyguard 1859–present Thailand Royal Security Command Royal guard 3 Battalion Royal Security Command Bang Khen District, Bangkok Mahat Lek Rajawallop(มหาดเล็กราชวัลลภ, King's close bodyguards) Thahan Song Lo (ทหารสองโหล, Two-Dozen soldiers) Mahat Lek Lai Ka (มหาดเล็กไล่กา, Scarecrow Corps) Red – White Royal Guards March (มาร์ชราชวัลลภ, March Raja Vallobh) * Haw wars Franco-Siamese conflict World War I Western Front Boworadet rebellion World War II Franco-Thai War Battle of Banphlao Pacific War Japanese invasion of Thailand South-East Asian theatre Burma campaign Cold War Korean War Vietnam War Communist insurgency in Thailand Vietnamese border raids in Thailand Thai–Laotian Border War South Thailand insurgency 80px Bravery Medal (2nd Battalion)ราชกิจจานุเบกษา. แจ้งความสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเหรียญกล้าหาญประดับธงชัยเฉลิมพล. เล่ม ๕๘, ตอน ๐ ง, ๒๙ เมษายน พ.ศ. ๒๔๘๔,หน้า ๙๑๓. 80px King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Classราชกิจจานุเบกษา. แจ้งความสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเหรียญรัตนาภรณ์ประดับธงไชยเฉลิมพล. เล่ม ๕๕, ตอน ๐ ง, ๒๓ มกราคม พ.ศ. ๒๔๘๑, หน้า ๓๖๑๘. 80px King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Classราชกิจจานุเบกษา. แจ้งความสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเหรียญรัตนาภรณ์ประดับธงชัยเฉลิมพล. เล่ม ๗๐, ตอน ๗๖ ง, ๘ ธันวาคม พ.ศ. ๒๔๙๖, หน้า ๕๑๙๓. www.1stinfantryreg.in.th centre|200px Unit colours The 21st King Close Bodyguard Regiment, King's Guard (th กรมทหารมหาดเล็กราชวัลลภที่ 21 รักษาพระองค์) (กรม.ทม.ร.21 รอ.) is a King's Guard regiment under the Royal Security Command. The regiment is divided into three battalions, all of them based in Bangkok. The regiment is the only unit of the Royal Thai Armed Forces with the designation Mahat Lek Rajawallop (th มหาดเล็กราชวัลลภ); meaning the king's close bodyguards, translated as the King's Own Bodyguards. The unit was first established by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1859, whilst he was still a young prince. One of the primary roles of the regiment is to provide security and protection to members of the Thai royal family as well as the ceremonial escort and guarding of the royal palaces. The unit is the oldest regiment of the Thai army. History The Royal Guards were established by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) of Siam in 1859, when he was still a young prince. Initially, the Royal Guards were servants with duties such as scaring crows, which led to commoners referring to them as the "Mahat Lek Lai Ka," roughly translated as "Scarecrow Corps." When he succeeded his father in 1868, King Chulalongkorn took his Royal Guard and formed a 24-strong Royal Bodyguard, referred to as the "Thahan Song Lo" (Two-Dozen soldiers"). In 1870, the unit was upgraded into a full army regiment and was given the name the "King's Guard" and their duties included escorting the king while he travelled around the country. The king commanded the regiment himself until 1873, when he appointed Lieutenant General Chao Phraya Phasakornwongse as its first military commander. The Royal Guards still exist down to the present and serve as protectors of the royal family of Thailand.Nationreligionking.comhttp://www.nationreligionking.com/military/thahansua/ Thailand: Nation, Religion, King On 18 January 2019, the unit has renamed to 1st Royal Guard Regiment, King's Guard.https://www.thairath.co.th/content/1473061 "เหล่าทัพ" กระทำพิธีสวนสนามปฏิญาณตนต่อธงชัยเฉลิมพล ประจำปี 2562 18 January 2019 Then, on 23 April 2019, the unit has renamed again to 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Close Bodyguard.ประกาศส านักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานพระราชานุญาตเปลี่ยนแปลงหน่วยทหารรักษาพระองค์และหน่วยทหารในพระองค์ http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2562/E/100/T_0027.PDF https://web.archive.org/web/20220326110357/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2562/E/100/T_0027.PDF 26 March 2022 Thai dead On October 1, 2019, the command of the unit was transferred from the 1st Division, King's Guard to the Royal Security Command under the command of King Vajiralongkorn, along with 11th Infantry Regiment. Thereby removing the two units out of the chain of command of the Royal Thai Army and into the monarchy.Reuters Thailand's king takes personal control of two key army units October 1, 2019 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-king/thailands-king-takes-personal-control-of-two-key-army-units-idUSKBN1WG4ED Panu Wongcha-um Alex Richardson In 2026, the Unit has been renamed to 21st King Close Bodyguard Regiment, King's Guard. Organization Active 1st King Close Bodyguard Battalion, 1st King Close Bodyguard Regiment, King Close Bodyguard th กองพันทหารมหาดเล็กราชวัลลภที่ 1 มหาดเล็กราชวัลลภรักษาพระองค์ 2nd King Close Bodyguard Battalion, 1st King Close Bodyguard Regiment, King Close Bodyguard Palace Guard Regiment, King Close Bodyguard th กรมทหารรักษาวังมหาดเล็กราชวัลลภรักษาพระองค์ฯ Formerly 3rd Infantry Battalion, King's Own Bodyguard Dissolved 4th Infantry Battalion, 1st King's Own Bodyguard Regiment (King Chulalongkorn's Own Guards) (amalgamated with the Royal Security Command and renamed to The King's Close Bodyguard Command in 2017) Notable members Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse Commander of the regiment 1879-1885 Prince Damrong Rajanubhab Commander of the regiment 1885-1892 Crown Prince Maha Vajiravudh (later King Rama VI) Commander of the regiment 1901-1910 Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath Commander of the regiment 1910-1919 Paribatra Sukhumbandhu Commander of the regiment 1923-1932 Prince Mahidol Adulyadej as a special Colonel of the regiment in 1926 Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat Commander of the regiment 1945–1948, Prime Minister of Thailand 1958-1963 Field Marshal Praphas Charusathien Commander of the regiment 1948–1951, Commander in Chief of the Army 1964-1973 General Kris Sivara, Commander in Chief of the Army 1973-1975 HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn as an honorary Captain of the regiment in 1965 and a battalion commander in 1980 Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Princess Royal as an honorary Captain of the regiment in 1977 Gallery See also List of army units called Guards King's Guard (Thailand) Thai Royal Guards parade Monarchy of Thailand Head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces References External links Official Website of the 1st Infantry Regiment Category:King's Guard units of the Royal Thai Army Category:Guards regiments Category:Military units and formations established in 1859 Category:1859 establishments in Siam