Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy

Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy or CRMA' (โรงเรียนนายร้อยพระจุลจอมเกล้า or รร.จปร.) is the military academy of Royal Thai Army. Established in 1887 it has graduated the vast majority of Thailand's military leaders and of which many have become Thai Prime Ministers.

History
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (CRMA) was founded on August 5, 1887, by King Chulachomklao or King Rama V and also known as King Chulalongkorn. It was originally called the Royal Military Academy. On January 1, 1948, it was merged with the Royal Thai Army Polytechniques Institute, under the new name, Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, in the honor of King Chulachomklao.

Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy was originally located in the precinct of Saranrom Palace in Bangkok, where it remained there for 77 years. In 1909 the Academy was moved to Rajadamnoen Nok Avenue in Bangkok. Lastly, on July 10, 1986, it had been moved to its new sprawling complex at Khao Cha-ngoke, Mueang District of Nakhon Nayok Province, 140 km northeast of Bangkok.

Cadets


Currently, the Academy admits only male applicants after 3-years attendance at Armed Forces Academy Preparatory School.

In every academic year, 8 to 10 scholarships are offered by Royal Thai Army for academically outstanding first year cadets to pursue their study in foreign Military Institutes.

At the end of the 4th year, cadets graduate with a bachelor's degree in their chosen fields of study, and are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in Royal Thai Army.

Major organizations within the academy are Academy Command-Headquarter, Cadet-Regimen Command-Headquarter, Academic Section, Military Education Section, Sport-Education Section, Services Section, and an infantry battalion supporting the academy. Cadets have 24/7 commitment to the academy with a set daily schedule. Regular schedule is started from approximately 0530am. After taking care of their personal hygiene, self study for 1 hr, and breakfast, then the academic schedule starts about 0800am til 1500. Either military training or sport training are scheduled every day from 1530 til about 1700. Self study is scheduled again after dinner from 1900 til 2100.

The annual military training starts in January after the 2nd academic semester is ended. Each class is scheduled for specific training. For example, the 1st year cadets might be trained at the infantry center. The 3rd year cadets might get an airborne training. The fourth year cadets might get a ranger training.

Alumni
The Academy has produced the vast majority of Thailand's modern military leaders. Many CRMA graduators have become Prime Ministers and political leaders. The followings are examples of distinguished alumni.
 * General Prem Tinsulanonda, Prime Minister from 1980 to 1988
 * Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram, graduated in 1914, Prime Minister from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.
 * Field Marshal Sarit Dhanarajata, Prime Minister and military dictator from 1957 to 1963.
 * General Surayud Chulanont, Prime Minister from 2006 to Jan 2008.

It is not only well known in the military arena, but many Chulachomlao Royal Military Academy (CRMA) alumni have been recognized for outstanding works in other sectors, e.g. businesses, academics, both domestic and foreign countries. In 1986, a CRMA alumnus received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Bureau of Mines to implement a research project at Ames Laboratory. He went on to get a grant from the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) in 1993 to do research work at U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He is listed in The NRC Scientists Directory, and also published a number of refereed technical papers. His works are still cited by many research scientists.