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53-658: The Thahan Phran was established in 1978 to fight Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) guerrillas and drive them from their mountain strongholds in northeast Thailand. Conceived by General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh , then Director of the Army Operations Centre at RTA headquarters in Bangkok , the unit was to be composed of recruits from regions affected by the communist insurgency, who would be given intensive training courses of 45 days, issued with modern weapons, and then sent back to their villages to mount guerrilla operations against

106-510: A 19-man Thahan Phran base designated Unit 9631, situated at Ban Pang Noon near Mae Sai on the Thai- Myanmar border, was captured by 500 Burmese troops. The RTA has tripled the strength of the Thahan Phran in the southern peninsula since violence surged there in 2004. In October 1981 a 39-man unit of Thahan Phran and Burmese guerrillas attempted to assassinate the drug warlord Khun Sa at

159-818: A brief period of legality from 1946 to 1948. The secret party headquarters were in a wooden building on Si Phraya Road , Bangkok . A CPT delegation attended the second national congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in Tuyen Quang in February 1951. The CPT held its second party congress in 1952. In 1960, the party attended the International Meeting of Communist and Workers Parties held in Moscow . The CPT held its third party congress in September 1961. In

212-618: A common enemy in pro-Soviet Vietnam, moral and logistical support for the CPT by the Chinese declined sharply. The Chinese Communist Party began advising the CPT to tone down their revolutionary discourse against the Thai government in their radio broadcasts and to support Democratic Kampuchean forces against the Vietnamese. On 10 July 1979, VOPT declared that it would cease to its broadcasting service. On 11 July,

265-558: A country which hosted many PLAT bases, sided with Vietnam in the dispute. In January 1979, the CPT and PLAT were expelled from Laos by the government, a military setback for the party. Bunyen Worthong and a small section of other ex-student leaders and intellectuals broke with the party leadership and on 22 October 1979, they formed the Thai Isan Liberation Party (generally called Pak Mai , the 'New Party') in Vientiane . Pak Mai

318-530: A long history of often personal experience with the border conflict (many were local recruits from those villages that bore the brunt of the violence that spilled across the border), the rangers were not hesitant to take out their frustrations and aggression on the Khmer. Their "protective" presence often created more conflict than it prevented." In 1998 the Salween Special Task Force was created to protect

371-443: A major reorganization and downsizing between October 2000 through late 2001. The re-organization saw eight of 21 regiments disbanded by General Surayud Chulanont , then commander-in-chief of the army. This was due to changes in the threats on Thailand's eastern and western borders as well as RTA budget cuts. The total strength is now believed to be about 10,600, a substantial decline from the nearly 20,000 (including reserves) reached in

424-520: A mission to counter and destroy Khun Sa's drugs along the Northern Thailand border and disbanded in April 1987. In 1979 the influx of Cambodian refugees into Thailand became a significant political problem and a security issue, especially since thousands of them were Khmer Rouge combatants. Thai Prime Minister Kriangsak Chomanan , a professional soldier who had previously been Supreme Commander of

477-575: A six-point programme for peace and neutrality. The Front called for the formation of a patriotic and democratic government, and opposed the Thai government and US troop presence in Thailand. The TPF was poised to fill the role of the united front in the triangular setting of the people's war strategy (party-army-front). Low intensity armed struggle began in August 1965 when the party declared through VOPT that "an era of armed struggle had begun". Concomitantly,

530-656: A strong base among Hmong people in Thailand. Monarchy of Thailand Regents of Thailand Prime Ministers of Thailand Military Others Institutions Key events Salawin National Park The Salawin National Park or Salween National Park ( Thai : อุทยานแห่งชาติสาละวิน ) is located in Mae Sariang and Sop Moei Districts in Mae Hong Son Province , northern Thailand , adjacent to its border with Burma . Much of

583-592: A widely accepted offer of amnesty for party cadres, and the Cold War coming to its conclusion, the party disappeared from the political scene in the early-1990s. The origins of the communist movement in Thailand begin with the founding of the Siam Special Committee of the South Seas Communist Party between 1926 and 1927. An infusion of leftists fleeing China for Thailand in the late 1920s following

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636-566: Is with 1,109 metres (3,638 ft) the highest peak in the park. This part of the Thanon Thong Chai Range is the origin to tributaries of the Salween, Yuam , Kong Kha, Mae Ngae and Han rivers. The climate of Salween National park is as follows: Summer is from March to May, Rainy season is from June to October and Winter is from November to February. In 1989 a survey was set up for Mae Yuam forest and Salween forest. The announcement of

689-766: The Communist Party of the Soviet Union as revisionist and socially imperialist . As of 1966, relations with the Communist Party of Vietnam began to deteriorate, as the CPT criticized the CPV for failing to take a clear pro-CCP stance. The Voice of the People of Thailand (VOPT), a CPT radio station, was established in Yunnan , southern China in March 1962. The party launched the Thai Patriotic Front (TPF) on 1 January 1965. The TPF had

742-592: The Nationalist-Communist split of 1927 also increased support for activities. Accounts vary, but sometime between late 1929 and early 1930 the Communist Party of Siam was inaugurated. During its initial phase of existence, the Communist Party of Siam remained a small party. It mainly comprised intellectuals in Bangkok . By early-1948, British intelligence sources deemed reports that the party had 3,000 members nationwide as "exaggerated". The party enjoyed

795-569: The People's Liberation Army of Thailand was formed, marking a new phase in the build-up of guerrilla forces. The armed struggle had spread to various districts in the north in the Phetchabun Mountains and the Phi Pan Nam Range . The armed forces of the party had also established a presence along the border with Malaysia , in the areas were the armed forces of the Communist Party of Malaya

848-622: The Royal Thai Army , placed the border districts under martial law and authorized the Joint Operation of the Supreme Command to control and provide security for the refugees. The Supreme Command responded by creating Task Force 80 in February 1980, a special Thahan Phran unit charged with defensive duties, refugee management, and the supply of food and weapons to the anti-Vietnamese resistance factions that Thailand supported, particularly

901-853: The Salawin National Park and Salawin Wildlife Sanctuary in Mae Hong Son Province. In 2007 a new Thahan Phran regiment was formed for special duties in Chiang Saen , Chiang Khong and Wiang Kaen districts along the Mekong River in Chiang Rai Province. The regiment is responsible for curbing human trafficking and other illegal movements across the Mekong into Thailand from northwestern Laos . Thahan Phran cooperate closely with

954-539: The Sino-Soviet split , the CPT sided with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In October 1964, its position was made clear in a congratulatory message on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Ideologically, the party aligned with Maoism . In 1961, it formulated a policy of armed struggle along the lines of the Chinese experience, which was made public in 1964. The party condemned

1007-588: The Socialist Party of Thailand . More than 1,000 students joined the party, including most elected campus representatives throughout the country. A large section of the newly recruited members received political and military training in PLAT camps in Laos . Instructors were Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese. In many cases, students accustomed to urban life had difficulties adapting to the harsh realities of guerrilla struggle, and thus

1060-531: The South Thailand insurgency since 2004. They been responsible for apprehending and killing many key leaders in the area, but have also suffered casualties from ambushes. Communist Party of Thailand The Communist Party of Thailand ( Abrv: CPT; Thai : พรรคคอมมิวนิสต์แห่งประเทศไทย , RTGS :  phak khommiwnit haeng prathet thai ) was a communist party in Thailand active from 1942 until

1113-450: The 1980s, particularly in screening recruits, and it is a more professional force than twenty years ago, but serious problems with discipline and human rights abuses remain. The Thahan Phran are also suspected to have been involved in terrorist activities during the 2010 Redshirt riots in Bangkok. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Thahan Phran set up a covert special task force to suppress

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1166-428: The 1990s. Initially known as the Communist Party of Siam , the party was founded officially on 1 December 1942, although communist activism in the country began as early as 1927. In the 1960s, the CPT grew in membership and support and by the early 1970s was the second largest communist movement in mainland Southeast Asia (after Vietnam). The party launched a guerrilla war against the Thai government in 1965. Even though

1219-667: The Burmese, Cambodian and Malaysian borders. Thahan Phran units conducted numerous operations against Khun Sa in the Golden Triangle and also participated in security actions during the standoff at Prasat Preah Vihear in 2008 and 2009. The Thahan Phran have had a troubled history, with units often accused of atrocities, abuse of authority, and involvement in the drug trade. It has been reported that these units include local thugs who make use of their status to commit crimes against their fellow citizens. Numerous reforms have been made since

1272-504: The CPT suffered internal divisions, at its political peak the party effectively acted as a state within the state. Its rural support is estimated to have been at least four million people; its military arm consisted of 10–14,000 armed fighters. Its influence was concentrated in the northeastern , northern and southern Thailand . Following a series of internal party disputes, changes in international communist alliances, successful counter-insurgency policies of Thailand's government including

1325-412: The CPT. From 1949 until 1976, the party membership was largely ethnically Chinese. Following the rapid expansion of the party following the 1976 massacre, ethnic Thais came to constitute the majority of party members. There was also a strong presence of other ethnic minorities in the party ranks. While many Hmongs in neighbouring Laos tended to side with anti-communist forces, the CPT was able to build

1378-522: The Chinese Communist Party had an active exile branch working among ethnic Chinese in the country. The party obtained legal status in 1946, and had a major influence on trade unions and Chinese students. The party had around 2,000 active members and another 3,000 sympathizers in Siam. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 most ethnic Chinese communists in Thailand joined

1431-632: The Khmer Rouge, as well as the Khmer People's National Liberation Front and the Armee Nationale Sihanoukiste or ANS. During its brief existence Task Force 80 was accused of frequent human rights violations until it was dissolved in August 1988. One observer summarized the Task Force 80 experiment thus: "In a country with a dizzying array of different military units, the rangers were among

1484-665: The Laotian authorities, informing them when they force illegal migrants to return to the Lao side. Before joining Thahan Phran, all candidates must be able to pass the following requirements: Lacking the above requirements, the candidates must have a special ability such as relevant regional experience. The force is led by regular officers and NCOs , with the other ranks comprising both full-time and part-time personnel. Roughly one-third of these regional-level troops are given more advanced training to become an army-level force. The force completed

1537-567: The Socialist Party of Thailand broke off relations with the CPT, claiming that CPT was controlled by foreign influences. In April 1981, the CPT leadership sought talks with the Thai government. The government responded that CPT fighters had to demobilize before any talks could be initiated. In a declaration on 25 October 1981, Major General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh , the director of the Thai Army Operations Department, said that

1590-634: The Thai part of the Salween River is included in the 721 square kilometres (278 sq mi) park. The terrain includes the mountainous forested area of the Dawna Range and the rocky river. Populated areas within the park include the Karen village of Ta Tar Fan , and the riverside village of Mae Sam Laep . Landscape is mostly covered by mountains and forests, the height ranged from 200 metres (660 ft) to 1,100 metres (3,600 ft). Doi Khun Mae Kon

1643-519: The beginning of the 1990s. The exact fate of the party is not known, and it remains banned to this day. As of the 1970s, the party was led by a seven-member politburo , elected by a 25-member Central Committee . Under the Central Committee were various provincial ( changwat ) committees and under them district ( amphoe ) committees. At the local level there were tambon (subdistrict) and muban (village) party structures. Information on

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1696-521: The border with Myanmar, the 31st, 32nd, 35th, and 36th Regiments in the northwest, and the 14th Regiment in Kanchanaburi . In 1998 the Tahan Prahran consisted of 13 regiment headquarters (subordinate to Royal Thai Armies), 107 units (90 members), 12 women squads (11 members). As of 2018 it is organized as follows: The Paramilitary Marine Regiment (Thahan Phran Marines) is organized as follows: On

1749-468: The communist terrorists who insurgency in Thailand and black operation to destroy destroy Khun Sa's heroin factory. The unit was known as the Project Control and Coordination Section 513 and 514 (PCCS513 and 514) (Thai:ชุดควบคุมและประสานงานโครงการ 513 และ 514 (ชค.513 และ ชค.514)), they were trained like special forces. The PCCS513 took on a mission to wipe out communist terrorists all over the country, and

1802-570: The communists. In the past some of the Thahan Phran's initial recruits were convicted criminals whose sentences were remitted; others joined to obtain parcels of land granted as a reward for successful campaigns. To some extent the Thahan Phran were intended to supplant the Volunteer Defense Corps , a civilian militia responsible for protecting the local population from guerrillas. By late 1981, Thahan Phran had replaced up to 80 percent of regular army units in counter-insurgency operations on

1855-456: The country. When Thailand and the People's Republic of China established diplomatic relations in 1975, an announcement on VOPT hailed this development. In the aftermath of the 6 October 1976 Massacre at Thammasat University and in the climate of increasing repression after the military take-over of the country, the CPT was able to expand its membership base. Many of the new recruits were students, workers, intellectuals, farmers or cadres of

1908-560: The early 1980s were the students and intellectuals who had joined CPT after the 1976 massacre. The defectors generally rejected the Maoist ideological positions of the CPT, arguing that Thailand was emerging as an industrial nation and the peasant war strategy had to be abandoned. Damri Ruangsutham, an influential politburo member, and Surachai Sae Dan , a leading figure of the party in southern Thailand, were captured by state forces at that time. There have been no reports of CPT activity since

1961-439: The early 1990s. The headquarters at Pak Thong Chai , some 30 km south-southwest of Korat , was closed on 30 September 2000 and command transferred to the army's four regional headquarters. The Thahan Phran now has thirteen regimental headquarters (each with 46 headquarters personnel), 107 90-man companies , and twelve women's squads (each 11-strong). Five regiments, with 37 companies, are now responsible for guarding

2014-462: The establishment of the Salween National park has been approved in 1993. Later in 1994 Salween National Park with an area of 450,950 rai ~ 721 square kilometres (278 sq mi) was declared the 78th national park. Thailand's second-largest teak tree is located in the park. In 1997, an illegal logging scandal, involving forestry and military officials, was uncovered at the park. Almost

2067-678: The instigation of the US Drug Enforcement Administration . The attempt failed, however in January 1982 a Thahan Phran squad from Pak Thong Chai , together with units from the BPP and the Royal Thai Army, was used to force Khun Sa to move his headquarters from Ban Hin Taek in northwest Thailand across the border into Myanmar. Units of the Thahan Phran have been sent to the deep south to curb

2120-536: The last VOPT broadcast was transmitted. Renmin Ribao carried a congratulatory message from the CPT on the 30th anniversary of the People's Republic of China on 30 September, which called for militant unity between Thai and Chinese communists, but thereafter news about the CPT in Chinese media became scarce. In 1980, the Thai government adopted a government order, " 66/2523 ", encouraging CPT cadres to defect. Communist cadres were eventually granted amnesty. In March 1981,

2173-480: The leadership of the CPT is scarce. The CPT itself was always secretive about the identity of its leaders. According to a 1977 Kampuchean document, it was claimed that the General Secretary of the CPT was Khamtan ( nom de guerre of Phayom Chulanont ). Other sources mention "Comrade Samanan" ( Jaroen Wanngam ) as the party leader during the same period. Prior to the formation of the Communist Party of Siam,

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2226-444: The lowest paid, worst trained, and least disciplined of all Thai soldiers. They were at the bottom of the military status hierarchy: a poorly educated group who could not have made it into the more prestigious units. Indeed, they were regarded in some circles as little better than local thugs in uniform, who had been issued guns at a time when Communism was considered an immediate threat to Thailand's stability. With little supervision and

2279-551: The party began armed actions in the Na Kae District of Nakhon Phanom Province . At the time it was estimated that the party had around 1,200 armed fighters under its command. Opposition to US military presence in Thailand was a key element of the CPT during the Vietnam War . The CPT alleged that Thailand was a neocolonial country under US control. Emphasis was thus given to the struggle for national independence. As of 1968,

2332-439: The party decided to place many of them in villages rather deep in the jungle. The new student recruits were divided into groups of five to ten, which were distributed along the approximately 250 "liberated villages" of the country. By 1977, the party had an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 armed fighters, and about a million sympathizers. Half of the provinces of the country were declared "communist infiltrated" by official Thai sources at

2385-522: The party would however be hampered by developments wider afield. The party depended on support from states and communist parties in neighbouring countries, and as international alliances shifted the CPT found itself vulnerable. In late 1978, the Sino-Soviet split developed into armed hostilities in Southeast Asia as war broke out between Vietnam and Kampuchea, two countries that supported the CPT. Laos,

2438-408: The theory of neocolonialism was rejected by large sections of the party, who were inspired by Maoist positions arguing that Thailand was a semi-colonial country. As of 1968, the CPT guerrilla network consisted of less than 4,000 armed fighters, scattered across the northern mountains and other periphery regions. The CPT guerrilla had limited links to outside support. In 1969, the Supreme Command of

2491-403: The time. The entry of leftist intellectuals to the party strengthened its capability to pursue united front policies. Following the expansion of its membership, the CPT began to stretch out a hand to wider sections of Thai society for forming a broad democratic front. On 7 May 1977, the Socialist Party of Thailand (SPT) declared that it would cooperate in armed struggle with the CPT. On 2 July,

2544-600: The two parties declared the formation of a united front. On 4 October, VOPT declared the formation of the Committee for Coordination of Patriotic and Democratic Forces on 28 September. The nine-member coordination committee consisted of Aligned with the CPT at the time were also the Thai Moslem People's Liberation Armed Forces and the National Student Center of Thailand . The military and political growth of

2597-436: The war against CPT armed forces was approaching its end as all major bases of the PLAT in the north and northeast had been destroyed. In 1982, the government, under Prime Minister General Prem Tinsulanonda , issued another executive order, 65/2525, offering amnesty to CPT-PLAT fighters. In 1982–1983, CPT experienced mass defections of its cadres, and its military potential was severely reduced. Many of those who defected in

2650-633: The western frontier, where there is sporadic fighting, the Thahan Phran work closely with the RTA and the Border Patrol Police . On the eastern border, facing Laos and Cambodia , they now have primary responsibility for border surveillance and protection. Many Rangers have been killed or wounded in recent years during cross-border attacks by Burmese troops or their allies, the United Wa State Army and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army . In February 2001,

2703-613: Was a communist party that supported Vietnamese-Laotian positions and was based in Laos. Initially, the CPT adopted a neutral stance in the conflict between Vietnam and Kampuchea, causing relations to deteriorate with both the Chinese and the Vietnamese parties. However, as Vietnam intervened militarily in Kampuchea, the CPT condemned the Vietnamese action in a statement issued on 7 June 1979. As diplomatic and trade relations between Thailand and China improved, and Thai and Chinese governments found

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2756-417: Was based. In July 1969, nine CPT members were arrested, including a high-ranking Central Committee member. The arrests were presented by the government as a crucial victory over the party. From 1970 on, the People's Liberation Army of Thailand (PLAT) received significant logistical support from China and Vietnam. PLAT forces intensified their operations, including attacks on US Air Force bomber bases in

2809-462: Was the only unit of Thahan Phran Pak Thong Chai Camp who fought throughout the country and was the Thahan Phran's spearhead unit in the battle during Communist insurgency and Vietnamese border raids in Thailand and disbanded in the 1990s. The PCCS514 took on black operation to destroy Khun Sa's heroin factory in the Burmese side opposite Mae Chan District, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. After the successful destruction Khun Sa's heroin factory, they took on

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