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RTMC Reconnaissance Battalion
Special operations force of the Royal Thai Marine Corps From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Reconnaissance Battalion or RECON (Thai: กองพันลาดตระเวน กองพลนาวิกโยธิน) is an elite recon battalion in the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC), falling under the Royal Thai Marine Division. A special operations forces unit, it is capable of conducting land, maritime, and air operations.[2][3]
 | This article may incorporate text from a large language model. (October 2025) |
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History
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On February 24, 1942, the Royal Thai Navy officially established the Marine Regiment at the Sattahip Naval Station. Its organizational structure comprised a division made up of one artillery company, two infantry battalions (1st and 2nd Marines), along with a small artillery unit and a heavy machine gun company. Additional support forces included a reconnaissance company (utilizing horses) and an engineer company squadron. In 1955, command of the regiment was formally assigned to Military Commander Kham Hiran (then holding that rank).
After the conclusion of the Indochina–France dispute, the Navy reorganized and strengthened the Marine Corps. The new structure included two infantry battalions—the 1st Marine Battalion and the 2nd Marine Battalion—alongside two artillery battalions: one heavy machine gun battalion and one artillery battalion, designated as the 4th Marine Battalion, equipped with a mountain artillery regiment. Additionally, the Corps fielded two 75 mm Bofors artillery battalions (40 caliber, similar to those used by the Army).
A combat vehicle squadron, equivalent to a battalion, was also established. It consisted of four companies armed with 20 mm and 37 mm anti-tank guns and 50 mm grenade launchers. Supporting this force were three additional company-sized units: the Mechanic Division, the Communications Division, and the Patrol Division—all directly subordinate to the Marines.
In 1965, the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC) established a Reconnaissance Company tasked with amphibious reconnaissance in preparation for amphibious warfare operations. Its missions also included direct action, irregular warfare, special operations behind enemy lines, reconnaissance in difficult and hazardous terrain, and support for naval boarding operations. On 27 November 1978, the company was expanded into the Reconnaissance Battalion. Today, the battalion is composed of a headquarters company (with an attached wardog platoon), one amphibious reconnaissance company, and two V-150 patrol vehicle companies. It is commanded by an RTMC lieutenant colonel and remains based at Sattahip.
A small number of Marine Recon members saw combat in 1972, when they were deployed to Laos as part of Volunteer Battalion Commando 61g, which fought on the Plain of Jars. As a formation, Recon Battalion companies are assigned to RTMC regiments on an as-needed basis.
Since 1975, Thai Marines have deployed to Narathiwat as the Force Reconnaissance Battalion. In 1977, they successfully overran a communist base at Krung Ching in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, maintaining a presence there until 1981. In December 1978, reconnaissance teams were dispatched to the Mekong River during border skirmishes with the Pathet Lao, the communist political movement and organization in Laos.[4]
In 1988, the Royal Thai Marine Corps formed a Marine Recon anti-terrorist team. The following year, one company was attached to an RTMC task force in Chanthaburi for operations along the Thai–Cambodian border. Recon personnel are airborne-qualified through the RTMC parachute school at Sattahip, where they complete eight jumps, including one night jump and two water jumps. In addition, all Recon Marines must complete a rigorous three-month amphibious reconnaissance course at Sattahip, which covers advanced land and sea tactics.
On February 13, 2013, the Battle of Bacho took place when around 50 RKK insurgents launched an assault on the Royal Thai Marine base held by the 2nd Rifle Company, 32nd Task Force Narathiwat. Anticipating the attack from intelligence received two to three days earlier, the base had been reinforced with a defensive plan. The Marine commander strengthened the position by deploying 11 Recon Marines and 17 Navy SEALs, ensuring the defenders were well-prepared for the engagement.[5] The clash ended with 16 insurgents killed, while no casualties were sustained by either the Recon Marines or the Navy SEALs.[6][7]
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Organization
- Reconnaissance Battalion Headquarter
- 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company
- 2nd Amphibious Reconnaissance Company
- Long-range Reconnaissance Patrol Company
- Service Support Company
- Marine Working Dog Platoon (Explosive and Drug Detection Dog)
Mission and training
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The Reconnaissance Battalion’s mission is to provide task-organized, rapidly deployable forces to conduct amphibious reconnaissance and special reconnaissance; shape the battlespace through direct action, commando-style raids, and long-range penetration; execute close-quarters combat and precision insertion/extraction behind enemy lines; carry out special warfare operations and support naval boarding; and provide dedicated counterterrorism support.[8][9]
Training
The Recon program prepares its students to lead amphibious assaults and operate independently far from allied support, demanding an exceptionally high level of competency and leadership. Reconnaissance Battalion operators are trained to operate on land, at sea, and in the air, earning them the distinctive nickname “3D Warriors.”
The Recon training course is widely regarded as one of the most challenging in Thai military special operations. As the saying goes, “The SEALs have a Hell Week, but it’s Hell EVERY Week in the RECON” (ซีลมีสัปดาห์นรก แต่รีคอนนรกทุกสัปดาห์).
Applicants must be active members of the Navy—or, by quota and invitation, other armed services or the police—and must not exceed 35 years of age.
The Recon training course lasts 13 weeks, structured into three phases: 5 weeks focused on base missions, 4 weeks on maritime operations—which include paddling a resistant rubber boat for 15 nautical miles (27 km), carrying the boat for roughly 10 km without rest, and swimming 5 nautical miles (9.6 km)—and the final 4 weeks in jungle and mountain environments.
Instructors challenge students with complex tasks designed to push both physical and mental limits, increasing the overall difficulty of the program. Trainees also face a “Prisoner of War” scenario, simulating capture and interrogation by the enemy. The course culminates in a grueling 72-hour final mission, during which Recon students must operate continuously without sleep for three days and nights.
Graduates of the Recon training program earn the right to wear the Recon badge, regardless of their service branch. Recognized as one of the most demanding special operations courses in Thailand, it ranks above other prestigious qualifications, including the Queen’s Musketeers, SEALs, and Rangers. Consequently, Recon has become highly coveted among “wing hunters”—servicemembers who aim to complete multiple elite special operations programs across the country.
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Equipment
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Engagements
See also
Cited books
Wikimedia Commons has media related to RTMC Reconnaissance Battalion.
- Bennett, Richard M. (2003). Elite Forces : The World's Most Formidable Secret Armies. London: Virgin Books. ISBN 9780753522813.
- Conboy, Kenneth (1991). South-East Asian Special Forces. Elite series;no.32. London: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781855321069.
References
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