Supreme Command had been twice activated to exercise command during combat in the French-Indochina conflict and in the Great East Asia war, with Field Marshal Plaek Piboonsongkram as Supreme Commander for both wars. The command and the position were deactivated once the conflict was over. Both activations were temporary, so no position was staffed permanently. Personnel was called from existing units and returned to their jobs when situation returned to normal

On 27 September 1957 His Majesty the King graciously appointed Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat as Supreme Commander, with Defence Staff Department acting as Supreme Commander’s command group.

In 1960 the government saw the necessity in establishing Supreme Command permanently to be responsible for forces preparation and national defense, so Defence Staff Department was upgraded to Supreme Command with additional upgraded units in order to carry out the mission effectively by the virtue of the Organization of Ministry of Defense Act, 1960 which took effect on 16 March 1960.

In the beginning Supreme Command was organized into 4 groups: Staff, Special Services, Combat Support, and Education. It later underwent several restructurings. Presently it is organized into 5 groups: Command Group, Joint Staff Group, Operations group, Special Services group, and Education group.

Apart from exercising command and control over military operations of the three armed services, Supreme Command also has operational control of the Border Patrol Police.

On 2 February 2008 , the Organization of Ministry of Defense Act, 2008 took effect, Supreme Command have been changed to “Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters”.