| Unit Name: | Paramilitary Marine Regiment Royal Thai Navy |
| Native Name: | กรมทหารพรานนาวิกโยธิน กองทัพเรือ |
| Dates: | 1977–present |
| Country: | Thailand |
| Branch: | Royal Thai Navy |
| Type: | Paramilitary |
| Size: | Regiment (~1,622) |
| Command Structure: | Royal Thai Marine Corps |
| Garrison: | Sattahip, Chonburi |
| Nickname: | นักรบดำ (Black Warrior) เหยี่ยวดำ (Black Kite) ประดู่เหล็ก (Iron Flowers) |
| Colors: | Black |
| Mascot: | Black Kite |
| Battles: | |
| Website: | marines paramilitary |
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.[1] [2] [3] [4]
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.[5]
| Name | Type | Caliber | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1911A1 pistol produced under license. | ||||
| 7.62×39mm | ||||
| Thai license produced version of the Heckler & Koch HK33. | ||||
| Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm | Standard infantry rifle. Aging M16A1 will be replaced by IMI Tavor TAR-21 and M16A4. | ||
| Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm | Used by special forces. Some were equipped with SOPMOD kit. | ||
| General purpose machine gun | 7.62×51mm | Former main GPMG being replaced by FN MAG 58 | ||
| Light machine gun | 7.62×39mm | |||
| 40×46mm SR | ||||
| Single-shot grenade launcher | 40×46mm grenade | |||
| Rocket-propelled grenade | ||||