The "English Officer" course, a military leadership program, has brought great honor to the Royal Thai Army. Receiving the International Sword award is a highly prestigious recognition within the global military community. This information concerns the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is located in Camberley, Surrey, United Kingdom. It was established in 1947 by merging two military colleges: the Royal Military Academy (Woolwich) and the Royal Military College (Sandhurst). The institution's motto is "Serve to Lead."
Sandhurst does not focus on typical university academics but emphasizes the development of military leadership. The standard curriculum, called the Regular Commissioning Course, lasts about 44 weeks divided into three terms, focusing heavily on:
Command skills: Decision-making under high-pressure conditions.
Military tactics: Planning and execution in battlefield operations.
Physical fitness: Endurance, resilience, and strict discipline.
Leadership ethics: Caring for subordinates according to the "Serve to Lead" principle.
Thailand has continuously sent cadets to study here from the past to the present, including members of the royal family and other notable figures. The latest is Ravit Wanichayakornkul, who made history by winning the highest award, the International Sword, in 2026.
Most return to serve as commissioned officers in their national armies, typically starting as platoon commanders. They are often groomed for senior military leadership or political roles due to their global institution connections and prestige.
The Royal Thai Army praised Cadet Ravit Wanichayakornkul for receiving the International Sword award from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, recognizing his excellent academic and training performance, bringing pride to Thailand.
On 10 April 2026, Cadet Ravit Wanichayakornkul, representing the Royal Thai Army, graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom and was selected to receive the International Sword award. This is the highest honor for foreign cadets with outstanding academic and training achievements of the year 2026.
The award ceremony took place during the Sovereign’s Parade graduation event, where General Dame Sharon Nesmith, the UK's Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, representing the monarch, inspected the parade and presented the International Sword—a ceremonial infantry officer's longsword engraved with the recipient's name and a tribute—to Cadet Ravit Wanichayakornkul of Thailand. The event was broadcast live worldwide.
Cadet Ravit is a graduate of the 60th Preparatory Military Academy and the 71st Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, King's Guard. He demonstrated outstanding leadership, physical and mental strength, and a positive attitude throughout the 44-week training, scoring higher than both British and other international cadets in his cohort.
Receiving the International Sword award again brings pride to the Royal Thai Army and confirms the military skills and strong determination of Thai cadets, who continue to excel on the international stage.
