2nd Infantry Division (Thailand)
The 2nd Infantry Division, Queen Sirikit's Guard (Thai: กองพลทหารราบที่ 2 รักษาพระองค์ ในสมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ พระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง) (พล.๒ รอ.) also known as Mechanized Infantry Division (Thai: กองพลทหารราบยานเกราะ) is a mechanized infantry division of the Royal Thai Army. It is currently part of the First Army Area. The division was founded by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1910. In 1988 the division was designated a King's Guard unit by cabinet order, however, as a mark of distinction the division and all its subsidiary units were put under the patronage of Queen Sirikit and has since been known as the Queen's Guard.
| 2nd Infantry Division, Queen Sirikit's Guard | |
|---|---|
| กองพลทหารราบที่ 2 รักษาพระองค์ ในสมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ พระบรมราชชนนีพันปีหลวง | |
 Emblem of the 2nd Infantry Division, Queen Sirikit's Guard | |
| Active | 1910-present |
| Country | Thailand |
| Branch |  Royal Thai Army |
| Type | Mechanized infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | First Army Area |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Promyothee, Prachinburi, Thailand |
| Nickname(s) | Nakrob Burapha (นักรบบูรพา, Eastern warriors) Burapha Payak (บูรพาพยัคฆ์, Eastern tigers) |
| Motto(s) | Ready for battle and Graceful |
| Engagements | |
| Website | 2id |
The division is composed of three infantry regiments and three attached units, the 2nd Infantry Regiment, Queen's Guard, the 12th Infantry Regiment, Queen's Guard, and the 21st Infantry Regiment, Queen's Guard. The division and its subsidiary units are all based east of Bangkok, headquartered in Prachinburi, with other units in Chonburi and Sa Kaeo.
History
The 2nd Infantry Division was formed in 1910 at the command of King Chulalongkorn, as a part of the newly reorganised Siamese army. After the Siamese revolution of 1932 the new administration temporarily dissolved all formations above battalion level, including the 2nd Infantry Division. During the Franco-Thai War of 1940-1941, the division's former components were incorporated into the Burapha Army (Eastern army), as the 2nd Division on the orders of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram. The division remained part of the army during the Burma Campaign and supported the Phayap Army's invasion of the Shan States. After the end of the war the division was once again dissolved in 1946, this time due to budget cuts. Its headquarters was absorbed into the 2nd Infantry Regiment.[1]
In 1974 the 2nd Division was reconstituted as part of the First Army Area. During the Cold War the division defended the Thai border against Vietnamese incursions and the suppression of domestic communist agitations. The division saw action in at least four border raids by Vietnamese or Kampuchea troops, in 1975, 1978-1979, 1983, and 1984-1985.[1]
On 19 August 1988, the 2nd Infantry Division was designated a King's Guard unit by cabinet order (นร.020/14747). However, as a mark of special distinction the 2nd Infantry Division and all its subsidiary units were put under the royal patronage of Queen Sirikit and has since been known as Queen's Guard.[1]
Mission
- Protect and preserve the sovereignty of the nation.
- Protection of The Royal Family.
- Spearheaded the combat in battlefield.
Composition
2nd Infantry Division, Queen Sirikit's Guard Headquarters.
- 2nd Infantry Division, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 2nd Infantry Regiment, Queen Sirikit's Guard - (aka "Burapha Payak" Thai: บูรพาพยัคฆ์: Eastern tigers)
- 1st Infantry Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 2nd Infantry Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 3rd Infantry Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 12th Infantry Regiment, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 1st Infantry Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 2nd Infantry Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 3rd Infantry Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 21st Infantry Regiment, Queen Sirikit's Guard - (aka "Thahan Suea Rachini" Thai: ทหารเสือราชินี: the queen's tiger soldiers)
- 1st Infantry Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 2nd Infantry Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 3rd Infantry Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 2nd Field Artillery Regiment, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 2nd Field Artillery Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 12th Field Artillery Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 21st Field Artillery Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 102nd Field Artillery Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 2nd Service Support Regiment, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- Logistic Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 2nd Cavalry Squadron, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 30th Cavalry Squadron, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 2nd Signal Corp Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 2nd Medical Battalion, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 2nd Anti-tank Company, Queen Sirikit's Guard
- 12th Military Police Battalion
- 2nd Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols Company
- 12th Military Circle
- 14th Military Circle
- 18th Military Circle
- 19th Military Circle
- 2nd Infantry Regiment, Queen Sirikit's Guard - (aka "Burapha Payak" Thai: บูรพาพยัคฆ์: Eastern tigers)
See also
References
- "ประวัติกองพลทหารราบที่ 2 รักษาพระองค์ (Thai)". กองพลทหารราบที่ 2 รักษาพระองค์ (Official website of the 2nd Infantry Division, King's Guard). Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.