Paramilitary Marine Regiment
| Paramilitary Marine Regiment Royal Thai Navy | |
|---|---|
| กรมทหารพรานนาวิกโยธิน กองทัพเรือ | |
| Active | 1977–present |
| Country | Thailand |
| Branch | Royal Thai Navy |
| Type | Paramilitary |
| Size | Regiment (~1,622) |
| Part of | Royal Thai Marine Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | Sattahip, Chonburi |
| Nickname(s) | นักรบดำ (Black Warrior) เหยี่ยวดำ (Black Kestrel) ประดู่เหล็ก (Iron Padauk) |
| Colors | Black |
| Mascot(s) | Black Kite |
| Engagements | |
| Website | marines paramilitary |
The Paramilitary Marine Regiment, Royal Thai Navy or Thahan Phran Marines (Thai: กรมทหารพรานนาวิกโยธิน กองทัพเรือ) is a paramilitary marine 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 Thailand Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is considered to be the most powerful combat unit of the Royal Thai Marine Paramilitary Force.
The difference between the Royal Thai Army Paramilitary Forces and the Paramilitary Marine Forces is that the Paramilitary Marine Forces receive additional training in amphilibious warfare to fulfill the missions of the RTMC, which is the parent unit. However, they mostly operate in mountain forest areas.
Since the South Thailand insurgency crisis, the Paramilitary Marine Regiment has been intensifying its training in anti-irrgular forces with small unit tactics. They are currently one of the most important paramilitary forces of the Thai military, which plays a role in border security and counterinsurgency in the Southern Thailand.