Royal Thai Navy

Royal Thai Navy
กองทัพเรือ, ราชนาวี
(RTGS: Kongthap Ruea, Ratcha Navy)

Emblem of the Royal Thai Navy
Active 1887
Country  Thailand
Allegiance King Rama IX
Branch Royal Thai Armed Forces
Type Navy
Size 71,000 Active personnel
(53,000 Navy personnel)
(18,000 Marine Infantry)
Garrison/HQ Sattahip, Chonburi (main base)
Bangkok Noi, Bangkok (headquarter)
Motto ร่วมเครือนาวี จักยลปฐพีไพศาล (Join the Navy to see the world)
Colors Navy blue
Engagements Franco-Siamese War
World War I
French-Thai War (Battle of Koh Chang)
World War II
Korean War
Palace Rebellion
Manhattan Rebellion
Vietnam War
Piracy in the Strait of Malacca
Piracy in Somalia
Commanders
Commander-in-chief Admiral Kraison Chansuwanit
Notable
commanders		 Prince Abhakara
King Pinklao
Luang Sinthusongkhramchai
Insignia
Royal Thai Navy Flag
Naval Jack and Unit Colour
Naval Ensign

The Royal Thai Navy (Thai: กองทัพเรือ) is the navy of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, it was established in the late 19th century. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse (1880–1923) is "The Father of Royal Thai Navy". Similar to the organizational 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 which operates an Aircraft carrier though it is used as a pure helicopter carrier with the retirement of the Harrier fighter wing.[1] Thailand is the 2nd nation of Asia to have submarines, following Japan, however no submarines are operated by Thailand currently.

The Royal Thai Navy operates in three Naval Area Commands:

The Royal Thai Navy also has two air wings, operating 40 fixed-wing aircraft and 30 helicopters from Utapao, Songkhla and Phuket. The First Royal Thai Navy wing has 4 squadrons and the Second Royal Thai Navy wing has 3 squadrons. Moreover, the Royal Thai Navy also consists of 1 Royal Thai Marine Corps division, 1 Air and Coastal Defence Division, Royal Thai Navy SEALs and 1 Riverine Patrol Regiment.

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 between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Philippines.

History

Origin

Franco-Siamese War

Main article: Paknam incident

World War I

Main article: Siam in World War I

After World War I

HTMS Matchanu and Wirun at Kobe Port
HTMS Thonburi

World War II

Main article: Pacific War

Vietnam War

In 1966, the Royal Thai government began to actively support the Vietnam War by dispatching two Royal Thai Navy vessels into service in South Vietnam.[2]

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 spaces of Thailand navy include the Thai Gulf and Indian Ocean, separated by land, and river. 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.

Journalists indicted for defaming the Navy, and lawsuit against news agency

A 20 April 2014 Bangkok Post editorial said that [last] "Monday, 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”. On Thursday, 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." Furthermore, "But Phuketwan editor 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".[3] As of 22 April, the lawsuit has not been dropped.[4]

As of 22 April 2014, the Navy "was preparing a second lawsuit against the Reuters news agency".[4]

Command and Control

The Royal Thai Navy is commanded by the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, currently Admiral Surasak Rounroengrom, who was appointed in 2011. The Royal Thai Navy Headquarters is located in Derm Palace, Wang Derm Road, Bangkok, Thailand.

List of Commanders

Organization

Branches

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

Royal Thai Naval Air and Coastal Defence Command

Coastal Defense 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 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 on the following year. Some analysts believe this element will eventually grow to a strength of up to 15,000.[5] They also interested in S-300 or S-400 SAM to upgrade their air defense system.

District Forces

Rank and insignia

Equipment

Combat ships

Class Photo Origin Hull No./Commissioned Displacement Notes
Submarine (0 in service)
??? Offer Attack submarine.
Aircraft carrier (1 in service)
Chakri Naruebet
 Spain
Empresa Nacional Bazán		 CV 911/1997 11,486 tonnes Armament:
Frigate (8 in service)
DW 3000F class[6]  South Korea
DSME
 Thailand
Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard		 (FFG-471)
(FFG-472)[7]		 3,700 tonnes (Under construction.Delivery in 2018)
Multi-role stealth frigate.
Knox class
 United States
Avondale Shipyard		 FFG 461/1994
FFG 462/1997		 4,260 tonnes Guided missile frigate.
Type 025T class
 China
CSSC
 Thailand (Design)		 FFG 421/1995
FFG 422/1995		 2,985 tonnes Guided missile frigate.
Type 053HT class  China
CSSC		 FFG 455/1991
FFG 456/1991
FFG 457/1992
FFG 458/1992		 1,924 tonnes Guided missile frigate.
Corvettes (7 in service)
Ratanakosin class
 United States
Tacoma Boat		 FS 441/1986
FS 442/1987		 960 tonnes Guided missile corvette.
Tapi class  United States
American Shipbuilding		 FF 431/1971
FF 432/1974		 1,191 tonnes Anti-submarine warfare corvette.
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.
Patrol vessels (22 in service)
River class
 United Kingdom
Vosper Thornycroft
 Thailand
Bangkok Dock		 OPV 551/2013 1,969 tonnes Armament:
  • 1 × Oto Melara 76 mm gun
  • 2 × 30mm MSI-DSL DS30MR
  • 2 × 12.7 mm M2HB
Pattani class  China
CSSC
 Thailand (Design)		 OPV 511/2005
OPV 512/2005		 1,460 tonnes Armament:
Makut Rajakumarn class  United Kingdom
Yarrow Shipbuilders		 FF 433/1973 1,900 tonnes Currently used as Offshore Patrol Vessel and/or training role.
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 China design to Built in Thailand.
  • 1 x Mk 22 mod 0 76mm/50
  • 1 × Bofors 40mm/60
  • 2 x M2 Browning
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
Tor 991 class  Thailand
Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard and Marsun Shipbuilding		 T.991/2007
T.992/2007
T.993/2007		 186 tonnes Armament:
  • 2 x MSI-DSL 30mm DS-30M
  • 2 x 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 x MSI-DSL 30mm DS-30M
  • 2 x 12.7 mm M2HB
M36 class  Thailand
Marsun Shipbuilding		 T.111/2014
T.112/2014
T.113/2014		 150 tonnes Armament:
  • 2 x MSI-DSL 30mm DS-30M
  • 2 x 12.7 mm M2HB
Fast Attack Craft (9 in service)
BMB-230 Class  Italy
Cantiere Navale Breda		 FAC 321/1979
FAC 322/1979
FAC 323/1979		 270 tonnes
  • 1 x 76mm/62 Oto-Melara naval gun
  • 4 x Exocet MM38 SSM
  • 1 x 40mm/70 Breda Gun
  • 2 x .50" Gun
FPB-45 Class  Singapore
Singapore Technologies 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[8]).
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
  • 2 x 76mm/62 Oto-Melara naval gun
  • 1 x 40mm/70 Bofors gun
  • 2 x .50" Gun
Training Ship/Salute Ship (1 in service)
Cannon class DE  United States
Western Pipe and Steel Company		 DE-1/1959 1,620 tonnes Former USS Hemminger (DE-746). Currently used as salute ship.
Amphibious warfare ship (3 in service)
Endurance class  Singapore
Singapore Technologies Marine		 LPD 79/2012 7,600 tonnes Armament:
  • 1 × Oto Melara 76 mm super rapid gun
  • 2 x 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:
Landing Craft Utility (9 in service)
Marsun M55 class  Thailand
Marsun Shipbuilding		 LCU 784/2010
LCU 785/2010		 550 tonnes Armament:
Thongkaeo class  Thailand
Bangkok Dock		 LCU 771/1982
LCU 772/1983
LCU 773/1983
LCU 774/1983		 396 tonnes Armament:
Mannok class  Thailand
Silkline International - Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) Joint Venture		 LCU 781/?
LCU 782/?
LCU 783/?		 550 tonnes Armament:

Auxiliary ships

Class Photo Origin Hull No./Commissioned Displacement Notes
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 ships

Vessel Origin Type Class Displacement Status Notes
Submarine
??? (SS ???) ??? Attack submarine ??? class ??? tonnes Offer.[9]
Frigate
??? (FFG ???)  South Korea
 Thailand		 Multi-role stealth frigate DW 3000F class 3,700 tonnes Under construction Delivery in 2018
??? (FFG ???)  South Korea
 Thailand		 Multi-role stealth frigate DW 3000F class 3,700 tonnes Order Delivery in 2020
Patrol vessel
??? (OPV ???)  Thailand Offshore patrol vessel River class 1,900 tonnes Order [10]
??? (PC ???)  Thailand Patrol Boat M58 class ??? tonnes Order
??? (PC ???)  Thailand Patrol Boat M85 class ??? tonnes Order

See also

References

Thailand: A country study (Barbara Leitch LePoer, ed.). Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress of the USA (September 1987).  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

  1. ↑ "End of a Legend - Harrier Farewell". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Cold War Southeast Asia". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Post Publishing PCL. "Navy must end its attack on reporters". http://www.bangkokpost.com''. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Post Publishing PCL. "Navy to extend lawsuit to Reuters". http://www.bangkokpost.com''. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  5. ↑ John Pike. "Air and Coastal Defense Command". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  6. ↑ http://bangkokpost.com/news/local/346242/s-korea-to-build-thai-navy-frigate
  7. ↑ http://bangkokpost.com/news/local/346242/s-korea-to-build-thai-navy-frigate
  8. ↑ "Naval vessels as built by Lurssen GmbH". Lurssen.com. Retrieved 2011-05-03.
  9. ↑ "China Pitches S-26T Submarine for Royal Thai Navy Contract". 15 January 2015.
  10. ↑ "Thai Navy May Build Second Patrol Boat Under BAE License". Defense News. Retrieved 24 December 2014.

External links