Volunteer Defense Corps (Thailand)

Volunteer Defense Corps
กองอาสารักษาดินแดน
Emblem of the Volunteer Defense Corps
Founded10 February 1954 (1954-02-10)
CountryThailand
TypeParamilitary
RoleClose-quarters combat
Counterinsurgency
Crowd control
Executive protection
Force protection
Humanitarian aid
HUMINT
Internal security
Jungle warfare
Law enforcement
Patrolling
Psychological warfare
Raiding
Reconnaissance
Tactical emergency medical services
Urban warfare
Part ofDepartment of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior[1]
Garrison/HQBangkok, Thailand
EngagementsCommunist insurgency in Thailand
South Thailand Insurgency
Commanders
Minister of InteriorVDC General Anutin Charnvirakul

The Volunteer Defense Corps (Thai: กองอาสารักษาดินแดน; abbreviated VDC) is a paramilitary under the authority of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA), Ministry of Interior.[1] It was founded in 1954 to provide extra military support to the Royal Thai Armed Forces and to protect local civilians living near Thailand's borders.[2][3]

History

The Volunteer Defense Corps (colloquially called Or Sor in Thailand) was formally established on 10 February 1954[4][3] by the Thai Border Patrol Police (BPP) in response to complaints by civilians of banditry and harassment by insurgent and separatist organizations. Originally, the VDC's purpose was to protect civilians from insurgents who had crossed into Thai border provinces from neighboring Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia. VDC members were trained by the BPP and sent to protect civilians and farms from extortion and attacks by insurgents.[5]

In 1974, the VDC was expanded by the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) to urban areas to fight communist insurgents. In the late-1980s, VDC strength was estimated at 33,000, down from a peak of about 52,000 in 1980. Part of the decrease in numbers was due to the formation of the Thahan Phran, a paramilitary unit formed to counter communist insurgents, which absorbed some units of the VDC.

Since 2004, the VDC has had a major role in fighting the South Thailand insurgency.[2][6]

Volunteer Defense Corps ranks

Volunteer Defense Corps flag
Thai Volunteer Defense Corps uniform
Officers
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Volunteer Defense Corps
VDC General VDC Colonel VDC Lieutenant Colonel VDC Major VDC Captain VDC First Lieutenant VDC Second Lieutenant
VDC Gen VDC Col VDC Lt Col VDC Maj VDC Capt VDC 1st Lt VDC 2nd Lt
Enlisted
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Volunteer Defense Corps No insignia
VDC Sergeant Major VDC Sergeant VDC Corporal VDC Lance Corporal VDC Member
VDC Sgt Maj VDC Sgt VDC Cpl VDC Lcpl VDC Mbr

References

  1. ^ a b Page 26 Volume 133, Section 6 Kor, Government Gazette, 18 January 2016: ministerial regulations:Division of the Department of Provincial Administration ministry of interior
  2. ^ a b "Southern Thailand: The Problem with Paramilitaries". Asia Report (140). International Crisis Group: 14–15. 23 October 2007. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  3. ^ a b "The organization of the ""Volunteer Defense Division"" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Volunteer Defense Corps Act, 1954" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 9, 2011.
  5. ^ "Making sense of defense volunteers". The Phuket News. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  6. ^ "Sixty-three Years of Volunteer Defense Corps". Department of Provincial Administration (in Thai). pp. 78–79. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
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