2nd Army Area (Thailand)
| 2nd Army Area | |
|---|---|
 Insignia of the 2nd Army Area | |
| Founded | 1948 – Present |
| Country |  Thailand |
| Allegiance | King of Thailand |
| Branch |  Royal Thai Army |
| Type | Combined arms unit |
| Size | ~45,000 to 60,000 |
| Part of | Royal Thai Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Suranari Camp Nong Phai Lom Subdistrict Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District Nakhon Ratchasima Province 30000 |
| Anniversaries | September 4 |
| Engagements | 2025 Cambodia–Thailand border conflict |
| Website | web |
| Commanders | |
| Army Area Commander | Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang[1] |
| Deputy Army Commander | Major General Weerayut Raksin Major General Norathip Phoynok Major General Natt Sriin |
| Notable commanders | General Krit Siwara General Prem Tinsulanonda General Isarapong Noonpakdee General Wimon Wongwanich General Surayud Chulanont |
The Second Army Area (Thai: กองทัพภาคที่ 2) of the Royal Thai Army was established on September 4, 1948, and is responsible for overseeing the entire northeastern region of Thailand. The army's headquarters are located at Suranaree Camp, in Nong Phai Lom Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
History
In 1948, the Royal Thai Army established the Second Army Area under the Royal Decree on the Organisation of the Army within the Ministry of Defense, dated September 3, 1948. Initially, the command was based at Hua Nong Bua Camp in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, with the 3rd Division under its direct command.
Subsequently, the army underwent multiple reorganisations. In 1950, the 6th Division was established in Ubon Ratchathani Province, with two infantry regiments under its command: the 6th Infantry Regiment and the 16th Infantry Regiment. The 3rd Division continued to oversee the 3rd Infantry Regiment and the 13th Infantry Regiment.
In 1956, the army separated combat forces from regional forces. In 1957, Army Order No. 358/2500, dated February 18, 1957, directed the dissolution of both the Second Army Area and the 6th Division. They were reorganised into the Second Military Region, following the 1956 Royal Decree on the Army's organisational structure. This decree gave military regions direct authority over military circles and responsibility for the administration and support of combat units. Combat units, such as the 3rd Division, were placed under Army Headquarters but had their operational control delegated to the Second Military Region.
Later, in 1958, Army Order No. 136/9122, dated January 28, 1958, re-established the Second Military Region as the Second Army Area, granting it full administrative and operational authority over all military units, both combat and regional across the northeastern region of Thailand, as per the royal decree.
From that point on, the 3rd Division once again came under the direct command of the Second Army Area.
Foundation Day
The Second Army Area observes September 4 each year as its founding anniversary, commemorating the date the 1948 Royal Decree came into effect.