The Paramilitary Marine Regiment, Royal Thai Navy or Thahan Phran Marines ( 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.
The Paramilitary Marine Regiment was originally founded during the years 1977-1978 due to a serious threat from a insurgent forces (Thailand uses the term communist terrorist) attack during the Communist insurgency in Thailand. Especially along the border it was organized by the local population because of a perception problem in the areas.
Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters (RTARF) has agreed to perform on June 21, 1978, Cabinet of Thailand including approved on July 18, 1978, by the Royal Thai Army Special Operation Center 315, a control unit supervisor and training in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima. After the training was completed, the Royal Thai Army Special Operation Center 315 assigned Paramilitary Marine Regiment to take over operational control with the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command (CTBDC).
The attire at that time was woodland camouflage while performing small unit combat duties against insurgent forces, and there was no fixed unit location. Before changing to black uniforms in the same style as the Royal Thai Army Paramilitary Forces, but still using the green camouflage beret as the identity of the Paramilitary Marine Forces.
After fighting to Communist insurgency in Thailand. Changed its mission to protect the country especially the eastern border area where has problems with drug smuggling and various illegal activities, and RTMC need to expand accordingly. They include Troops are stationed Marines and volunteers.
Paramilitary Marine Regiment was re-established in 2019 due to the Government of Thailand and Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has reduced forces in tackling the unrest in South Thailand insurgency.
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has approved the establishment of a Paramilitary Marine Regiment by The Cabinet of Thai on May 24, 2016, to coincide with the RTMC.