Special Branch Bureau
| Special Branch Bureau กองบัญชาการตำรวจสันติบาล | |
|---|---|
Official Seal | |
| Abbreviation | SBB |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 17 November 1932 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency | Thailand |
| Operations jurisdiction | Thailand |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Royal Thai Police Headquarters, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent agency | Royal Thai Police |
| Website | |
| http://www.sbpolice.go.th/ | |
The Special Branch Bureau or SBB (Thai: กองบัญชาการตำรวจสันติบาล) is a law enforcement agency under the Royal Thai Police (RTP) responsible for counterintelligence, executive protection, and intelligence gathering on threats to national security that are under the responsibility of the police authority. Special Branch Bureau has major security functions to the king, queen and all the royal family along with the action on counterintelligence and the intelligence gathering of the person or group that acts as a threat to national security.
The agency was established on 17 November 1932 (Thai solar calendar year 2475) by Royal Decree of His Majesty King Prajadhipok's by the advice of The House of Representatives. As a result, the department is divided into four divisions. Sometimes referred to by critics as the "political police", it is responsible for controlling subversive activities and serves as the Thai Police's major counterintelligence organization, as well as the unit responsible for VIPs protection.
A police tactical unit called the "Black Tiger" is under the control of the Special Branch. It handles VIPs protection operations.