The command of King Chulalongkorn formed the division in 1905 on the recommendation of the Prince Chirapravati Voradej, the director of operations of the Ministry of Defence.

The 1st Division was then given the responsibility of protecting the king, his Grand Palace, the royal capital and the surrounding Menam basin.

The Khana Ratsadon (a group of disgruntled military officers and civilians) staged a coup d'état to replace the absolute rule of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) with a constitutional monarchy.

The conspirators began by arresting key military personnel in the capital, including the Commander of the 1st Infantry Division; Phraya Saena Sonogram (Mom Rajawongse Ei Noppawong) at his private residence.

The division took part in the army's objectives of retaking the French Indochinese provinces of Sisophon and Battambang (now in modern-day Cambodia).

In 1958, the division, in full, took part in the Royal guards parade to celebrate the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.