Thailand has the largest number of generals in the world, at least more than the United States.
According to statistics, Thailand has an army of 300,000, and the number of officers above the rank of major general is as high as more than 1,500. By comparison, the U.S. military has 1.3 million troops, but only about 900 generals. This means that in Thailand, on average, a major general is born for every 200 soldiers, which is quite a staggering ratio.
In China, a major general is an officer at the level of a division commander, managing almost 10,000 troops. In Thailand, the strength of these 200 people is equivalent to the size of a Chinese company. Therefore, it can be said that the status of the Thai major general and the Chinese company commander is equal.
So, why are there so many generals in Thailand?Do you need so much leadership?In fact, Thailand's constitutional monarchy is not complete, and the king still has a lot of power. He had a high degree of control over the army, and even retained some of the style of former Chinese emperors. For example, marrying the new queen, the new queen used to be a flight attendant, and after marrying, she was directly named a general, so as to improve her status.
Therefore, many generals in Thailand are rewarded by the king, and many members of the royal family are generals. Even one of the pet dogs of the King of Thailand was given the title of Chief Marshal of the Air Force. Such a "general-state" is indeed somewhat absurd.