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31st Infantry Regiment (Thailand)

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31st Infantry Regiment, King Guard
กรมทหารราบที่ 31 รักษาพระองค์
ในพระบาทสมเด็จพระบรมชนกาธิเบศร มหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดชมหาราช บรมนาถบพิตร
Emblem of the 31st Infantry Regiment, King Bhumibol's Guard
Active31st 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
AllegianceHM The King of Thailand
Branch Royal Thai Army
TypeAirborne forces
King's Guard
Rapid deployment force
SizeRegiment
Part of1st Division, King's Guard
Garrison/HQThanon 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
Bravery Medal (1st & 2nd Battalion)[1]
Websitewww.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

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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 granted Guards unit status and with it 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]

The 31st IR (Para) wears scarlet plumes in its bearskin cap during parades with the full dress uniform.

Organization

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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

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  1. ^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษา. แจ้งความสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเหรียญกล้าหาญประดับธงชัยเฉลิมพล. เล่ม ๕๘, ตอน ๐ ง, ๒๙ เมษายน พ.ศ. ๒๔๘๔,หน้า ๙๑๓.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "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.
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