The　multi-pulse　Shilnikov　orbits　and　chaotic　dynamics　for　a　parametrically　excited,　simply　supported　rectangular　buckled　thin　plate　are　studied　by　using　the　extended　Melnikov　method.　Based　on　von　Karman　type　equation　and　the　Galerkin＇s　approach,　two-degree-of-　freedom　nonlinear　system　is　obtained　for　the　rectangular　thin　plate.　The　extended　Melnikov　method　is　directly　applied　to　the　non-autonomous　governing　equations　of　the　thin　plate.　The　results　obtained　here　show　that　the　multipulse　chaotic　motions　can　occur　in　the　thin　plate.　Copyright　©　2007　by　ASME.