1st Infantry Regiment (Thailand)

1st Infantry Regiment, King's Close Bodyguard
กรมทหารราบที่ ๑ มหาดเล็กราชวัลลภรักษาพระองค์
Rajawallop insignia, the official emblem of the 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Close Bodyguard
Active	1859 – 2019
Country	Thailand
Branch	Royal Thai Army
Type	Royal Guard
Role	Infantry
Size	3 Battalion
Part of	1st Division, King's Guard (de facto) Royal Security Command (de jure)
Garrison/HQ	Phaya Thai District, Bangkok
Nickname(s)	Mahat Lek Rajawallop (มหาดเล็กราชวัลลภ, King's close bodyguards) Thahan Song Lo (ทหารสองโหล, Two-Dozen soldiers) Mahat Lek Lai Ka (มหาดเล็กไล่กา, Scarecrow Corps)
Colors	Red – White
March	Royal Guards March (มาร์ชราชวัลลภ, March Raja Vallobh)
Engagements	Haw wars Franco-Siamese conflict World War I Western Front Boworadet rebellion World War II Franco-Thai War Pacific War Japanese invasion of Thailand South-East Asian theatre Burma campaign Cold War Korean War Vietnam War Communist insurgency in Thailand Vietnamese border raids in Thailand Thai–Laotian Border War South Thailand insurgency
Decorations	Bravery Medal (2nd Battalion)[1] King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Class[2] King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Class[3]
Website	www.1stinfantryreg.in.th
Insignia
Unit colours

The 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Close Bodyguard (Thai: กรมทหารราบที่ 1 มหาดเล็กราชวัลลภรักษาพระองค์) (ร.1 ทม.รอ.) is a King's Guard regiment under the 1st Division, King's Guard of the Royal Thai Army. The regiment is divided into three battalions, all of them based in Bangkok. The regiment is the only unit of the Royal Thai Armed Forces with the designation Mahat Lek Rajawallop (Thai: มหาดเล็กราชวัลลภ); meaning the king's close bodyguards, translated as the King's Own Bodyguards. The unit was first established by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1859, whilst he was still a young prince. One of the primary role of the regiment is to provide security and protection to members of the Thai royal family as well as the ceremonial escort and guarding of the royal palaces. The unit is the oldest regiment of the Thai army.