The Territorial Defense Command (), known as the Army Reserve Command () from 2001–2009 and the Territorial Defence Department () before that, is a department of the

Royal Thai Army The Royal Thai Army or RTA (; ) is the army of Thailand and the oldest and largest branch of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. History Origin The Royal Thai Army is responsible for protecting the kingdom's sovereignty. The army was formed in 187 ...

. It is responsible for the management of the country's reserve affairs, including the training of

Territorial Defence Student Territorial Defense Student (; ) is a military youth organization in Thailand under control of the Royal Thai Army, and recently the Royal Thai Navy and Royal Thai Air Force. History Prior to World War II the ''Yuwachon Thahan'' (or "junior sol ...

s. Its headquarters is located on the corner of Sanam Chai and Charoen Krung roads. Its main building, a two-storey neoclassical structure, was built in 1922, and is listed as a registered

ancient monument An ancient monument can refer to any early or historical manmade structure or architecture. Certain ancient monuments are of cultural importance for nations and become symbols of international recognition, including the Baalbek, ruins of Baalbek ...

History

The Territorial Defense Command, established from the 'Kingdom's Territory Defense' act in B.E. 2491 (1948), was formed in the aftermath of the

coup d'état A coup d'état (; ; ), or simply a coup , is typically an illegal and overt attempt by a military organization or other government elites to unseat an incumbent leadership. A self-coup is said to take place when a leader, having come to powe ...

of B.E. 2490. Its creation aimed to facilitate civilian participation in national defense and to reduce military expenditures. Later, Territorial Defence Students received the benefit of exemption from conscription.

Affiliated agencies

* Reserve Affairs School, Army Reserve Center * Territorial Defense School, Army Reserve Training Center * Infantry Battalion, Territorial Defense Command * Khao Chon Kai Territorial Defence Student-Training Camp * Army Reserve Training Center * Army Reserve Center

References

Royal Thai Army {{Asia-mil-stub