Field marshal (Thailand)

Chom Phon () or Field Marshal is the most senior rank of the Royal Thai Army, considered the equivalent to a Field Marshal or General of the Army (although 'Field Marshal' is more widely used). Today it is ceremonially held by members of the Thai Royal family and exists only on paper in the Thai military. It has not been awarded to a regular commissioned officer since 1973. The Royal Thai Navy equivalent is known as "Chom Phon Ruea" ('Admiral of the Fleet') and "Chom Phon Akat" ('Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force') for the Royal Thai Air Force.
The King of Thailand as head of the armed forces is automatically made a "Chom Phon" upon accession. The rank was formally created in 1888, together with all other ranks of the military by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who wanted to modernize his armed forces along Western lines. Apart from the monarchs, there have been 13 appointments to this rank.