[1] Originally located on the royal yacht Maha Chakri and some other boats donated by the king, the academy later moved to Wang Derm Palace in Thonburi (in the compound of the present headquarters of the Royal Thai Navy), then to Sattahip, and finally to its current location in Samut Prakan in 1952.

Cadets graduate with a bachelor's degree in engineering or science and are commissioned in the Royal Thai Navy with the rank of ensign (sub-lieutenant).

The academy also trains police cadets destined to work at the marine police, while every year a few top graduates of the Naval Rating School for non-commissioned officers enter the academy directly after a separate entrance exam.

Selected first-year cadets of the RTNA are awarded scholarships to study at naval academies abroad.

On their return to Thailand they start working as officers in the Royal Thai Navy straightaway.