Royal Thai Navy

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Royal Thai Navy
กองทัพเรือไทย
Emblem of the Royal Thai Navy
Active	8 April 1887 (132 years)
Country	Thailand
Allegiance	HM The King of Thailand
Type	Navy
Size	71,000 Active personnel (53,000 Navy personnel) (18,000 Marine Infantry)
Part of	Royal Thai Armed Forces
Garrison/HQ	Sattahip, Chonburi (Main base) Bangkok Noi, Bangkok (Headquarters)
Nickname(s)	ราชนาวี (Raj Navy)
Motto(s)	ร่วมเครือนาวี จักยลปฐพีไพศาล (Join the Navy to see the world)
Colours	Navy blue
March	เพลงราชนาวี (Navy March) เพลงดอกประดู่ (Dok Pradu Song)
Anniversaries	20 November 1906: Royal Thai Navy Day 4 September: Submarine Memorial Day[1]
Engagements	Haw wars Franco-Siamese War World War I World War II French-Thai War Battle of Koh Chang Pacific War Palace Rebellion Manhattan Rebellion Cold War Korean War Vietnam War Communist insurgency in Thailand Communist insurgency in Malaysia Vietnamese border raids in Thailand Persian Gulf War International Force East Timor Southern Insurgency Operation Pochentong 1 War on Terror OEF – Horn of Africa Anti-Piracy operation in Gulf of Aden Anti-Piracy in strait of Malacca Cambodian–Thai border dispute 2015 Rohingya refugee crisis Tham Luang cave rescue
Commanders
Commander-in-chief	Admiral Luechai Rutdit
Notable commanders	King Pin-Klao Prince of Chumphon Sangad Chaloryu
Insignia
Flag
Naval jack and unit colour
Naval ensign
Fin flash

The Royal Thai Navy or RTN (Thai: กองทัพเรือไทย; RTGS: Kong Thap Ruea Thai) is the naval force of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. It was established in the late-19th century. Similar to the organisational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the naval fleet and the Royal Thai Marine Corps. The Royal Thai Navy operates out of Sattahip Naval Base in Sattahip Bay. Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that operates an aircraft carrier, though it is used as a pure helicopter carrier with the retirement of its Harrier fighter wing.^[2][3] Thailand was the second Asian nation to acquire submarines, following Japan, but has had no submarines since 1950.

The United States Navy and Royal Thai Navy conduct the annual joint operation Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT). CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises of the US Navy and the armed forces of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Philippines.

Budget[]

In fiscal year 2018 (FY2018) the navy's budget is 43,835 million baht.^[4]

History[]

Origin[]

Franco-Siamese War[]

World War I[]

After World War I[]

HTMS Matchanu and Wirun at Kobe Port, 1938

HTMS Thonburi, 1938

French-Thai War[]

World War II[]

During World War 2, Siam allied with Japan after Japan invaded Siam in 8 December 1941.

Afterwards, the Thai navy contracted the Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation to build Thai ships, submarines, & coastal defense.

Manhattan Rebellion[]

During the Manhattan Rebellion of 1951, the Royal Thai Navy was involved in a failed coup against Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram which led to the sinking of flagship HTMS Sri Ayudhya and a complete change in leadership.

Vietnam War[]

In support of Vietnam during the Vietnam War, two Royal Thai Navy vessels undertook operations in South Vietnam.^{[additional citation(s) needed][5]}

Current[]

HTMS Chakri Naruebet

HTMS Phutthaloetla Naphalai

The navy's combat forces included the Royal Fleet and the Royal Thai Marine Corps. The 130 vessels of the Royal Fleet included frigates equipped with surface-to-air missiles, fast attack craft armed with surface-to-surface missiles, large coastal patrol craft, coastal minelayers, coastal minesweepers, landing craft, and training ships.

The mission space of the Thailand navy includes the Thai Gulf and the Indian Ocean, which are separated by land, as well as rivers. Naval affairs were directed by the country's most senior admiral from his Bangkok headquarters. The naval commander in chief was supported by staff groups that planned and administered such activities as logistics, education and training, and various special services. The headquarters general staff functioned like those of corresponding staffs in the army and air force command structures.

RTN response to criticism[]

A 20 April 2014 Bangkok Post orial said that a major news agency won the Pulitzer Prize for their work exposing Thailand's involvement in the trafficking of Myanmar's oppressed Rohingya minority through what it called a "tropical gulag". The next day, two journalists running a small, independent website in Phuket were formally indicted for criminally defaming the Royal Thai Navy by quoting part of the award-winning report. "Phuketwan or Alan Morison and journalist Chutima Sidasathian, who had played a substantial role in the Reuters investigation, had to worry about the threat of seven years in jail and whether they would be granted bail".^[6] The lawsuit was not dropped.^[7] Phuketwan spent years defending itself and eventually won in 2015 but had to close down because its funds were exhausted.^[8]

Command and control[]

The Royal Thai Navy is commanded by the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, currently Admiral Na Arreenich, who was appointed in 2015. The Royal Thai Navy headquarters is in Bangkok.

• Commander-in-Chief, Royal Thai Navy: Admiral Luechai Rutdit

List of commanders[]

Organisation[]

Naval Area Commands[]

Navy Cadet Regiment, King's Guards of Royal Thai Navy in the royal funeral procession of Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda

The Royal Thai Navy operates three naval area commands:

• First Naval Area Command: responsible for the northern part of Gulf of Thailand
• Second Naval Area Command: responsible for the southern part of Gulf of Thailand
• Third Naval Area Command: responsible for the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean)

Branches[]

Royal Thai Navy AAV-7A1 amphibious assault vehicles, during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008

Royal Thai Navy Riverine Sailors and U.S. Navy Sailors from Riverine Squadron ONE aboard Thai riverine patrol boats during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2010

Royal Thai Naval Air and Coastal Defence Command[]

Coastal Defence Command was formed in 1992 under the control of the Royal Fleet Headquarters, with one coastal defence regiment (equipped with 155 mm artillery) and one air defence regiment (equipped with 40 mm and 37 mm anti-aircraft guns as well as HN-5A MANPADs). Personnel were initially drawn from the Royal Thai Marine Corps, but are now being recruited directly. The First Coastal Defence Regiment is based near the Marine Corps facility at Sattahip. The First Air Defence Regiment was near the Naval Air Wing at Utapao. Coastal Defence Command was greatly expanded in 1992, following the government's decision in 1988 to charge the RTN with the responsibility of defending the entire eastern seaboard and Southern Seaboard Development Project. The Second Air Defence Regiment, based at Songkhla, was then formed the following year. Some analysts believe that this element will eventually grow to a strength of up to 15,000 personnel.^[9] They are interested in S-300 or S-400 SAMs to upgrade their air defence system.

• The First Air Defence Regiment: their mission is to provide anti-aircraft warfare for the northern Gulf of Thailand with three anti-aircraft battalions.
• The Second Air Defence Regiment: to provide Anti-aircraft warfare for the southern Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea with three anti-aircraft battalions.
• The First Coastal Defence Regiment has three artillery battalions.
• Two Air and Coastal Defence Command and Control Centers.
• Air and Coastal Defence Supporting Regiment: one transportation battalion, one communications battalion, one maintenance battalion.
• Equipment
  • QW-18 MANPADs.
  • Type 74, twin 37 mm anti-aircraft artillery
  • Bofors 40L60 and 40L70 40 mm anti-aircraft artillery
  • Type 59-I 130mm towed field artillery
  • GHN-45 towed howitzers
  • Saab ARTHUR Weapon Locating System
  • KRONOS Radar Systems

District forces[]

Sattahip Naval Base

Bangkok Naval Base

Phangnga Naval Base

Songkhla Naval Base

Phuket Naval Base

Samui Naval Base

Trat Naval Base

Thai Navy Bases District Forces

• Navy Fleet District Forces
  • Northern Gulf of Thailand Fleet
    • Chakri Naruebet class (1)
    • Angthong class (1)
    • Naresuan class (2)
    • Phutthayotfa Chulalok class (1)
    • Ratanakosin class (2)
    • Krabi class (1)
  • Southern Gulf of Thailand Fleet
    • Tapi class (2)
    • Sattahip class (6)
    • MV400 Class (3)
  • Andaman Sea Fleet
    • Khamronsin class (3)
    • Pattani class (2)
• Air Force District Forces
  • U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield
  • Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Navy Base
• Navy Bases District Forces
  • Sattahip Naval Base
  • Bangkok Naval Base
  • Phang Nga Naval Base
  • Songkhla Naval Base
  • Phuket Naval Base
  • Samui Naval Base
  • Trat Naval Base

Naval aviation[]

The RTN has two air wings, operating 40 fixed-wing aircraft and 30 helicopters from U-Tapao, Songkhla, and Phuket. The First Royal Thai Navy wing has four squadrons; the Second Royal Thai Navy wing has three squadrons.

Other forces[]

The Royal Thai Navy also consists of a Royal Thai Marine Corps division, an Air and Coastal Defence Division, Naval Special Warfare Command and a Riverine Patrol Regiment.

Naval Medical Department[]

The Naval Medical Department was first set up on 1 April 1890 and is currently headquartered at Somdet Phra Pinklao Hospital in Bangkok. It provides medical services for soldiers in the Royal Thai Navy and operates a number of hospitals in Thailand including Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital in Chonburi.

Rank structure[]

Equivalent NATO Code	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1		Cadet Officer
Officer ranks
	จอมพลเรือ	พลเรือเอก	พลเรือโท	พลเรือตรี	พลเรือจัตวา1	นาวาเอก	นาวาโท	นาวาตรี	เรือเอก	เรือโท	เรือตรี	นักเรียนนายเรือ
	Admiral of the Fleet	Admiral	Vice Admiral	Rear Admiral	Commodore or Rear Admiral (lower half)1	Captain	Commander	Lieutenant Commander	Lieutenant	Lieutenant Junior Grade	Sub Lieutenant	Midshipman
	1Rank on paper, not actually used in the Royal Thai Navy.

Equivalent NATO Code	OR-9		OR-8	OR-7	OR-5	OR-4	OR-3	OR-1
Enlisted ranks								No insignia
	พันจ่าเอกพิเศษ	พันจ่าเอก	พันจ่าโท	พันจ่าตรี	จ่าเอก	จ่าโท	จ่าตรี	พลทหาร
	Chief Petty Officer 1st Class	Chief Petty Officer 1st Class	Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class	Chief Petty Officer 3rd Class	Petty Officer 1st Class	Petty Officer 2nd Class	Petty Officer 3rd Class	Seaman apprentice

Equipment[]

• Submarine: (1) on order
• Aircraft carrier: 1
• Frigates: 7+(1) on order
• Corvettes: 7
• Patrol vessels: 9
• Fast attack craft: 42
• Amphibious warfare ship: 3
• Landing craft, utility: 9
• River ships: 189

Fleet[]

Class	Photo	Origin	Hull No./Commissioned	Displacement	Notes
Aircraft carrier (1 in service)
Chakri Naruebet		Spain Empresa Nacional Bazán	HTMS Chakri Naruebet/1997	11,486 tonnes	Armament: 4 × Rheinmetall Rh 202 6 × Hextuple Sadral launchers for Mistral surface-to-air missiles 2 × 0.5-inch machine guns
Frigate (7 in service+(1) u/c)
DW 3000F class[10]		South Korea DSME	HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej (FFG-471) (Name changed from HTMS Tachin)[11][12]	3,700 tonnes	Multi-role stealth frigate. Armament: 1 × OTO Melara 76 mm 1 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS 2 × DS-30M automated small calibre gun 8 cell Mk.41 vertical launch system for RIM-162 ESSM or SM-2 and VL-ASROC 8 × Harpoon missiles 4 × Mk.32 torpedo tubes with Mark 54 torpedoes
		Thailand Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard (Technology transfer)[13]	HTMS Prasae (FFG-472)
Type 025T class		China CSSC (Mod)  Thailand (Design)	HTMS Naresuan (FFG-421)/1995 HTMS Taksin (FFG-422)/1995	2,985 tonnes	Guided missile frigate. Armament: 1 × 127 mm Mk-45 Mod 2 naval artillery gun 2 × 30mm MSI-DSL DS30MR automated small calibre gun 8 cell Mk.41 vertical launch system for 32 × RIM-162 ESSM 8 × RGM-84 Harpoon SSM launcher 2 × triple 324 mm Mk-32 Mod.5 tubes
Type 053HT class		China CSSC	HTMS Chao Phraya (FFG-455)/1995 HTMS Bangpakong (FFG-456)/1995 HTMS Kraburi (FFG-457)/1995 HTMS Saiburi (FFG-458)/1995	1,924 tonnes	Guided missile frigate. Armament: 2 × Type 79 100 mm naval gun 4 × Type 76 twin 37 mm naval gun 8 × C802A missiles 2 × 5-tube Type 81 ASW rocket launcher (30 rounds)
Corvettes (7 in service)
Ratanakosin class		United States Tacoma Boat	FS 441/1986 FS 442/1987	960 tonnes	Guided missile corvette. Armament: 1 × Otobreda 76 mm 2 × Bofors 40 mm 2 × 20 mm Oerlikon GAM-B01 cannon 24 × Selenia Aspide 8 × RGM-84 Harpoon SSM 2 × Mark 32 torpedo tubes
Tapi class		United States American Shipbuilding	FF 431/1971 FF 432/1974	1,191 tonnes	Anti-submarine warfare corvette. Armament: 1 × OTO Melara 76 mm/62 compact 1 × Bofors 40mm/70 2 × Oerlikon 20 mm 2 × triple Mark 32 torpedo tubes
Khamronsin class		Thailand Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard and Italthai Marine	FS 531/1992 FS 532/1992 FS 533/1992	630 tonnes	Anti-submarine warfare corvette. Armament: 1 × OTO Melara 76 mm/62 compact 1 × Breda 30mm 2 × triple torpedo launcher
Offshore Patrol vessels (9 in service)
River-class (OPV)		United Kingdom Vosper Thornycroft  Thailand Bangkok Dock	HTMS Krabi (OPV-551)/2013 HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan (OPV-552)/2018[14]	1,969 tonnes	Armament: 1 × Oto Melara 76 mm gun 2 × 30mm MSI-DSL DS30MR 2 × 12.7 mm M2HB
Pattani class (OPV)		China CSSC (Build)  Thailand (Design)	HTMS Pattani (OPV-511)/2005 HTMS Naratiwat (OPV-512)/2005	1,460 tonnes	Armament: 1 × Oto Melara 76/62 Super Rapid 2 × Denel Land Systems GI-2 20mm autocannon 2 × US Ordnance M2HB .50 calibre machine gun
Makut Rajakumarn class		United Kingdom Yarrow Shipbuilders	FF 433/1973	1,900 tonnes	Currently used as Offshore Patrol Vessel and/or training role. Armament: 2 × 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun 1 × Bofors 40mm/70 2 × triple torpedo launcher Ultra Electronics EMS SSM
M58 class		Thailand Marsun Shipbuilding	HTMS Laemsing/2016	520 tonnes	This new class of Patrol Boat is expected to replace Hua hin class ships: HTMS Huahin (541), HTMS Klang (542) and HTMS Sriracha (543).[15] According to the Navy’s Strategic Plan 2008 – 2017 Royal Thai Navy will add this series with another three boat. Armament: 1 × OTO Melara 76 mm/62 compact 1 × MSI-DSL 30mm DS-30M 2 × .50 Caliber Machine Gun[16]
Hua Hin class		Thailand Asian Marine Services and Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard  China (Design)	PC 541/2001 PC 542/2001 PC 543/2001	590 tonnes	Chinese design built in Thailand. Armament: 1 × Mk 22 mod 0 76mm/50 1 × Bofors 40mm/60 2 × M2 Browning
Fast Attack Craft (42 in service)
BMB-230 Class		Italy Cantiere Navale Breda	FAC 321/1979 FAC 322/1979 FAC 323/1979	270 tonnes	Armament: 1 × 76mm/62 Oto-Melara naval gun 1 × 40mm/70 Breda Gun 2 × .50" Gun 4 × Exocet MM38 SSM
FPB-45 Class		Singapore ST Marine	FAC 311/1976 FAC 312/1976 FAC 313/1977	263 tonnes	Similar to Singapore Navy's Seawolf-class missile gunboats (a design based on the West Germany's Lürssen TNC45 FAC[17]). Armament: 1 × 57mm/70 Bofors naval Gun 1 × 40mm/70 Bofors gun 2 × .50" Gun 5 × Gabriel SSM (withdrawn from service)
MV400 Class		Italy Cantiere Navale Breda	FAC 331/1983 FAC 332/1983 FAC 333/1983	450 tonnes	same as Rajcharit class except 76/62 gun in the y position replacing of SSM Armament: 2 × 76mm/62 Oto-Melara naval gun 1 × 40mm/70 Bofors gun 2 × .50" Gun
PSMM Mk.5 Class		Thailand Italthai Marine	PC 521/1983 PC 522/1984 PC 523/1985 PC 524/1985 PC 525/1985 PC 526/1986	300 tonnes	Armament: 1 × OTO Melara 76 mm/62 compact or Mk 22 mod 0 76mm/50 1 × Bofors 40mm/60 2 × Oerlikon 20 mm cannon 2 × M2 Browning
Tor 991 class		Thailand Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard and Marsun Shipbuilding	T.991/2007 T.992/2007 T.993/2007	186 tonnes	Armament: 2 × MSI-DSL 30mm DS-30M 2 × 12.7 mm M2HB
Tor 994 class		Thailand Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard and Marsun Shipbuilding	T.994/2011 T.995/2011 T.996/2011	186 tonnes	Armament: 2 × MSI-DSL 30mm DS-30M 2 × 12.7 mm M2HB
M36 class		Thailand Marsun Shipbuilding	T.111/2014 T.112/2014 T.113/2014	150 tonnes	Armament: 2 × MSI-DSL 30mm DS-30M 2 × 12.7 mm M2HB
M21 class		Thailand Marsun Shipbuilding	T.228/2013 T.229/2013 T.230/2013 T.232/2016 T.233/2016 T.234/2016 T.235/2016 T.236/2016 T.237/2016 T.261/2017 T.262/2017 T.263/2017 T.264/2017 T.265/2018 T.266/2018 T.267/2018 T.268/2018 T.269/2018	45 tonnes	Armament: 1 × Denel Land Systems GI-2 20mm autocannon 1 × 12.7 mm M2HB with 81 mm. Grenade Launcher (Co-axial type)
Training Ship/Salute Ship (1 in service)
Cannon class DE		United States Western Pipe and Steel Company	HTMS Pin Klao/1959	1,620 tonnes	Former USS Hemminger (DE-746). Currently used as salute ship. Armament: 3 × single Mk.22 3"/50 calibre guns 3 × twin 40 mm Mk.1 AA gun 8 × 20 mm Mk.4 AA guns 3 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes 1 × Hedgehog Mk.10 anti-submarine mortar (144 rounds)
Amphibious warfare ship (3 in service)
Endurance class		Singapore ST Marine	HTMS Angthong/2012	7,600 tonnes	Armament: 1 × Oto Melara 76 mm super rapid gun 2 × 30mm MSI-DSL DS30MR Mk 44 6 × 12.7 mm M2HB
Normed PS 700 class		Thailand Italthai Marine and Bangkok Dock	LST 721/1987 LST 722/1988	4,520 tonnes	Armament: 2 × Bofors 40mm/60 2 × Rheinmetall Rh 202 2 × 12.7 mm M2HB
Landing Craft Utility (9 in service)
Marsun M55 class		Thailand Marsun Shipbuilding	LCU 784/2010 LCU 785/2010	550 tonnes	Armament: 4 × Oerlikon 20 mm cannon 2 × 12.7 mm M2HB
Thongkaeo class		Thailand Bangkok Dock	LCU 771/1982 LCU 772/1983 LCU 773/1983 LCU 774/1983	396 tonnes	Armament: 2 × Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
Mannok class		Thailand Silkline International - Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) Joint Venture	LCU 781/? LCU 782/? LCU 783/?	550 tonnes	Armament: 2 × Rheinmetall Rh 202
Replenishment ships (9 in service)
HTMS Similan		China CSSC	AOR 871/1996	22,000 tonnes
Jula class(ll)		Singapore Singmarine Shipyard	YO 831/1980	1,661 tonnes
YOG-5 Class		United States Albina Engine and Machine Works	YO 832/1947	1,235 tonnes
Prong class		Thailand Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard	YO 833/?	412 tonnes
Proet class		Thailand Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard	YO 834/1969 YO 835/1970	410 tonnes
Matra class		Thailand Marsun Shipbuilding	YO ???/2014	500 tonnes
Chuang class		Thailand Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard	YO 841/1966 YO 842/1974	360 tonnes
Minesweeper ships (7 in service)
MSC-289 class		United States Dorchester Shipbuilding and Peterson Builders	MSC 612/1965 MSC 613/1965	384 tonnes
HTMS Thalang		Thailand Bangkok Dock	MCS 621/1980	1,095 tonnes
M48 class		Germany Friedrich Lurssen Werft	MCS 631/1987 MCS 632/1987	444 tonnes
Gaeta class		Italy Intermarine SpA	MCS 633/1999 MCS 634/2000	697 tonnes
Research and survey vessels (3 in service)
HTMS Chan		Germany Friedrich Lurssen Werft	AGOR 811/1961	996 tonnes
HTMS Sok		Thailand Bangkok Dock	AGOR 812/1982	1,526 tonnes
HTMS Paruehasabordee		Thailand Unithai Shipbuilding and Engineering - Shelde Naval Shipbuilding Joint Venture	AGOR 813/2008	1,636 tonnes
Tugboats (6 in service)
Rin class		Singapore Singmarine Shipyard	YTM 853/1981 YTM 854/1981	421 tonnes
Samsan class		Thailand Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard	YTM 855/1994 YTM 856/1994	385 tonnes
Klungbadan class		Canada Canadian Bridge	YTL 851/1954 YTL 852/1954	80 tonnes

Future fleet[]

Vessel	Origin	Type	Class	Displacement	Status	Notes
Submarine
Type S26T Class	China	Submarine	Yuan-class modified	On Surface: 2,725 tonnes Dive: 3,600 tonnes	As of 4 Sep 2018, under construction.[18]	Delivery: c. 2023
Chalawan Class Midget submarine	Thailand	Midget submarine	Chalawan (unofficial)	150-300 tonnes	In 193 million baht design phase	Crew: 10: Range: 300 km; Cost: 1 billion baht; Delivery c. 2024[19]
Frigate
HTMS Prasae (FFG 472)	South Korea  Thailand	Multi-role stealth frigate	DW 3000F class	3,700 tonnes	Order	Delivery in 202X

Aircraft[]

Aircraft	Photo	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
Lockheed Corporation P-3T/UP-3T		United States	Maritime patrol aircraft, ASW	3	Version for Royal Thai Navy.
Fokker F.27-200/400		Netherlands	Military transport, Maritime Attacker, ASW	2 3	MK400 MK200
Dornier Do 228		Germany	Maritime patrol aircraft	7	Also used in Royal Rain Project.
Canadair CL-215		Canada	SAR, Firefighting	2
GAF N.24A Normad		Australia	Military transport	5	Another airframe is in use for spares recovery.
NAX Seaplane		Thailand	Maritime patrol aircraft	2
Bell 212		United States	Military transport	6
Bell 214ST		United States	VIP, transport	5
Sikorsky S-76B			SAR, transport	5
Sikorsky SH-70B Seahawk			ASW	6	HTMS Chakri Naruebet Flying Unit.
Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk			Military transport	2 (+4)	HTMS Chakri Naruebet Flying Unit.
AgustaWestland Super Lynx 300		United Kingdom	Anti Ship	2
Airbus H145M		Germany	Military transport	5

Procurement plans[]

The Thai navy has been lobbying for submarines for years.^[20] In January 2017 the Thai National Legislative Assembly tacitly approved the expenditure of 13.5 billion baht (US$383 million) to buy one Chinese S26T submarine, a derivative of China's Yuan Class Type 039A submarine.^{[21][22][23][24]} The S26T submarines are diesel-powered with a displacement of 2,400-3,000 tonnes.^[25] It is projected to be the first of a three-boat, US$1 billion acquisition.^[23] The cabinet approved one submarine purchase on 18 April 2017 with a budget of 13.5 billion baht (US$393 million), including weapons systems, spare parts and technology transfer.^[26] The sub is expected to be delivered in about 2023. The Thai navy's submarine squadron has trained in Germany and South Korea but has no submarines—its last sub was decommissioned in 1950. It does have a submarine headquarters: in July 2014 a US$17.3 million submarine headquarters and training center was opened at the Thai navy's largest port in Sattahip. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has explained that Thailand will buy submarines, "not for battle, but so that others will be in awe of us."^[27] Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon said that "...growing territorial threats and an increasing number of maritime missions has prompted the navy to strengthen its submarine units."^[28] There are plans to base one submarine at Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard in Sattahip District, Chonburi, one at a submarine dockyard off the Sattahip coastline, and one on the Andaman coast, in either Krabi or Phang Nga.^[28]

Humanitarian relief operations[]

Thailand worked with more than 60 nations in providing help to the Nepali people following an earthquake. Operation Sahayogi Haat ('helping hands') was a US military relief operation delivering humanitarian assistance to victims of the April and May 2015 Nepal earthquakes. The Royal Thai Navy assisted relief efforts.^[29] A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the region of Kathmandu in Nepal on 25 April 2015. Operation Sahayogi Haat (Nepali: 'helping hands')^[A] for humanitarian relief operations was put into action by Joint Task Force 505 on 6 May.^[33]

See also[]

• Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse Prince of Chumphon
• Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters
• Military of Thailand
• Royal Thai Army
• Royal Thai Air Force
• Royal Thai Marine Corps
• Royal Thai Naval Academy

References[]

Notes[]

Citations[]

Sources[]

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Library of Congress document: Barbara Leitch LePoer, ed. (September 1987). Thailand: A country study. Federal Research Division.

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royal Thai Navy.

• Official site (in Thai)
• Global Security – Thailand navy