The 11th King Close Bodyguard Regiment, King Close Bodyguard (Thai: กรมทหารมหาดเล็กราชวัลลภที่ 11 มหาดเล็กราชวัลลภรักษาพระองค์) (กรม ทม.11 มหด.รอ.) is a King's Guard regiment under the Royal Security Command. The regiment is divided into three battalions, all of them based in Bangkok.[1] Formerly having a duty to guard the palace in the reign of King Mongkut to practice military subjects in order to perform effective and set up a Royal Palace Guard Regiment or the army surrounded the palace with the blue uniform is likely to come from the color of Krom Wang (Bureau of the Lord Chamberlain) uniforms. The reign of King Chulalongkorn please King Vajiravudh, when he was the Siamese Crown Prince as a special colonel of the regiment which makes the unit have a bond with King Vajiravudh. Later, when King Vajiravudh ascended the throne he was accepted as a special commander of the Regiment which His Majesty's color is blue.
The Royal Guards were established by King Mongkut (Rama IV) of Siam to serving and protect the monarchy by acting as a custody unit and supervise the safety situation neatness in the fence around the royal court, which led to commoners referring to them as the "Tahan Lorm Wang" (The palace bodyguards).[2]
In the past political history of The 11th Infantry Regiment is considered an important role. Especially when any event occurs which led to the undermining of national security, then the 11th Infantry Regiment would take him to join one of the main forces of security as in the past such as Boworadet rebellion, Franco-Thai War, Manhattan Rebellion including Communist insurgency in Thailand. During 2010 Thai political protests 11th Infantry Regiment become a main role for Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation to control protests of United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship.[3]
11th Infantry Regiment under the command of Colonel Thanom Kittikachorn was established as a King's Guard unit in His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 20 January 1949. The Royal Guards still exist down to the present and serve as protectors of the Royal Family of Thailand.[4] On 18 January 2019, the unit has renamed to 11th King's Own Bodyguard Regiment.[5] Then, on 23 April 2019, the unit has renamed again to 11th Infantry Regiment, King's Close Bodyguard.[6] On October 1, 2019, the unit was transferred to be directly to Royal Security Command under the command of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, along with 1st Infantry Regiment.[7]
The current unit's name is 11th King Close Bodyguard Regiment, King Close Bodyguard.