Royal Thai Naval Academy

The Royal Thai Naval Academy (Thai: โรงเรียนนายเรือ) was established by His Majesty the King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1898. He officially opened the Academy on 20 November 1906. Originally located on the royal yacht Maha Chakri and some other boats donated by H.M. the King, the Academy later moved to Wangderm Palace in Thonburi (in the compound of the present headquarters of the Royal Thai Navy), then to Sattahip, and finally ended up at its current location in Samut Prakan in 1952.

Mission
The mission of the RTNA is to train future officers for the Royal Thai Navy.

Curriculum
The RTNA provides undergraduate programs in Engineering and Science, combined with naval professional training. Currently cadets can major in Electrical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Hydrographic Engineering and Management Science and are trained as engineers, navigators and marines.

Graduation
Cadets graduate with a Bachelor Degree in Engineering or Science and are commissioned in the Royal Thai Navy with the rank of Ensign (Sub-Lieutenant). Together with graduates of the other armed forces and police academies they receive their sword from H.M. the King Bhumibol Adulyadej personally.

Education of Thai Naval Officers
Young men that want to enter the Academy first have to pass the entrance exam, after which they join a 3-year preparatory program in the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School where they study together with army, airforce and police cadets. On successful completion, they enter the Royal Thai Naval Academy. After graduation, they attend a further one-year advanced course in Sattahip that leads to a Graduate Diploma in Naval Science. On completion of this course, they are ready to work as officers in the Royal Thai Navy.

The Academy also trains police cadets destined to work at the marine police, while every year a few top graduates of the Naval Rating School for non-commissioned officers enter the Academy directly after a separate entrance exam.

Selected first-year cadets of the RTNA are awarded scholarships to study at naval academies abroad. On their return to Thailand they start working as officers in the Royal Thai Navy straightaway.