Naresuan 261 Counter-Terrorism Unit
Encyclopedia
Naraesuan 261 is Special Operations Unit of The Royal Thai Police
.
The Royal Thai Police were given orders to set up training for a special division to accomplish these goals. The unit was founded in 1984, Buddhist year 2527, and placed under the control and responsibility of the Thai Border Patrol Police's Aerial Reinforcement Unit or PARU.
In late 1986, a Royal Decree, proclamation number 14, reorganized the Royal Thai Police and Naraesuan 261 was assigned as 4th company under the Border Patrol Police's Aerial Reinforcement Unit (PARU).
Special Operations Unit "Naraesuan 261" has the responsibility of counter-terrorism and resulting criminal cases. The company also plays an important role as executive protection for His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family when they travel around Thailand
. Furthermore, the company acts as escorts for other foreign dignitaries and heads of state visiting Thailand.
After initial training, groups pass on their experiences to other members of the Special Operations Company. The Company will also assign members to train in foreign countries and bring the knowledge back to Thailand to further help train the Company. Standard training is broken up into five parts:
1. International counter-terrorism
training consisting of 24 weeks of training for new Police privates.
2. International counter-terrorism training consisting of 6 weeks of training for Police who are now in active service as well as one week of anti-terrorism planning.
3. Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) training consisting of 12 weeks of training.
4. Sniper
/counter-sniper training consisting of 4 weeks of training for those assigned to sniper positions.
5. Electronics proficiency training consisting of 12 weeks of training for those assigned to the duty of Electronics Proficiency Officer.
The Company also takes part in cross-training with Special Operations divisions of the Royal Thai Military as well as training with their counterparts in various units in Australia
, South Africa
, Germany
and the United States
.
The company has been involved in a number of high profile criminal cases including:
1. Burmese
student takeover of the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok on October 1–2, 1999 (2542).
2. Takeover of the Ratchaburi Hospital in Ratchaburi Province
on January 24–25, 2000 (2543).
3. Release of hostages from the Karen-Burmese rebellion
at Samut Sakhon Province
Prison on November 22–23, 2000 (2543).
These three major successful operations were all under the control of Special Company 'Naresuan 261'. In all these situations, the mission was accomplished and the hostages were saved.
At present the Special Operation 'Naresuan 261' company is now developing additional tactics and has the support of the Royal Thai Police to provide them with the weapons they need to perform their work with efficiency.
Royal Thai Police
The Royal Thai Police are the national police of Thailand.-About:Primary responsibility for the maintenance of public order through enforcement of the kingdom's laws was exercised by the Thailand National Police Department , a subdivision of the Ministry of Interior...
.
History
Special Operations Unit "Naraesuan 261" was set up in 1983, Buddhist year 2526, by a Thai Cabinet Resolution. The Resolution, dated February 1, 2526 (1983), was a major policy decision designed to provide a force for counter-terrorism efforts.The Royal Thai Police were given orders to set up training for a special division to accomplish these goals. The unit was founded in 1984, Buddhist year 2527, and placed under the control and responsibility of the Thai Border Patrol Police's Aerial Reinforcement Unit or PARU.
In late 1986, a Royal Decree, proclamation number 14, reorganized the Royal Thai Police and Naraesuan 261 was assigned as 4th company under the Border Patrol Police's Aerial Reinforcement Unit (PARU).
Special Operations Unit "Naraesuan 261" has the responsibility of counter-terrorism and resulting criminal cases. The company also plays an important role as executive protection for His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family when they travel around Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Furthermore, the company acts as escorts for other foreign dignitaries and heads of state visiting Thailand.
Organization Management
4th Company, Border Patrol Police Aerial Reinforcement Unit, consists of a Company division with a raid platoon, ambush and patrol platoon, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) platoon, training platoon, and supporting platoon.Training
Initial training was performed by members of the Royal Thai Police Department. Teams are divided up into units of 5 people following the model set up by Germany's GSG-9. Teams are trained in military tactics, sniping, waterborne operations, martial arts, and operation of a variety of vehicles.After initial training, groups pass on their experiences to other members of the Special Operations Company. The Company will also assign members to train in foreign countries and bring the knowledge back to Thailand to further help train the Company. Standard training is broken up into five parts:
1. International counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
training consisting of 24 weeks of training for new Police privates.
2. International counter-terrorism training consisting of 6 weeks of training for Police who are now in active service as well as one week of anti-terrorism planning.
3. Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) training consisting of 12 weeks of training.
4. Sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
/counter-sniper training consisting of 4 weeks of training for those assigned to sniper positions.
5. Electronics proficiency training consisting of 12 weeks of training for those assigned to the duty of Electronics Proficiency Officer.
The Company also takes part in cross-training with Special Operations divisions of the Royal Thai Military as well as training with their counterparts in various units in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Operations
Special Company 'Naresuan 261' has cooperant escort duty for His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, and other members of the Royal Family when they travel around Thailand. They also train female members as an executive escort for Her Royal Highness Princess Siridhorn when she visits Border Patrol Police schools around Thailand.The company has been involved in a number of high profile criminal cases including:
1. Burmese
Bamar
The Bamar are the dominant ethnic group of Burma , constituting approximately two-thirds of the population. The Bamar live primarily in the Irrawaddy basin, and speak the Burmese language, which is also the official language of Burma. Bamar customs and identity are closely intertwined with general...
student takeover of the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok on October 1–2, 1999 (2542).
2. Takeover of the Ratchaburi Hospital in Ratchaburi Province
Ratchaburi Province
Ratchaburi is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom,Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi...
on January 24–25, 2000 (2543).
3. Release of hostages from the Karen-Burmese rebellion
Karen people
The Karen or Kayin people , are a Sino-Tibetan language speaking ethnic group which resides primarily in southern and southeastern Burma . The Karen make up approximately 7 percent of the total Burmese population of approximately 50 million people...
at Samut Sakhon Province
Samut Sakhon Province
Samut Sakhon ) is one of the central provinces of Thailand.Neighboring provinces are Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok.- Etymology :...
Prison on November 22–23, 2000 (2543).
These three major successful operations were all under the control of Special Company 'Naresuan 261'. In all these situations, the mission was accomplished and the hostages were saved.
At present the Special Operation 'Naresuan 261' company is now developing additional tactics and has the support of the Royal Thai Police to provide them with the weapons they need to perform their work with efficiency.