Royal Thai Navy:New Frigate

[GWR]

No, not the nuclear submarine that has been on the Royal Thai navy's wishlist since the Second World War!

Strangely enough, I do seem to rememeber reading somewhere that the Japanese Navy loaned Thailand one of their more aged subs during WW2: -

Russian submarine being towed to Thailand sinks off Denmark

Copenhagen - A Cold War-era Russian submarine sank Tuesday off the coast of Denmark as it was being towed to Thailand to be exhibited in a museum, Danish military officials said.

The coventionally-powered Whisky class S-194 boat, which was empty, started to take on water for unknown reasons, forcing its tug to cut it loose for safety reasons, the Danish navy command (SOK) said.

The submarine went down at Jyske Rev, about 30 nautical miles west of the port of Tyboroen in the North Sea.

"It was not carrying any weapon or fuel or other polluting products and represents no danger to the environment," a SOK spokesman told AFP.

The vessel, 75 metres (247 feet) long, six metres (20 feet) broad and 11 metres (36 feet) high, had been towed from the Swedish port of Kalmar.

The Danish maritime authorities have established a security zone around the wreck to alert the many freighters and fishing boats in the area.

Like many others of its era, the boat had been sold, in this case to a Thai who was going to put it on show at a museum near Bangkok.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30026227

[GWR]

http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_28_04_50_3.htm

From the ever amusing Pattaya City News, which seems to have developed a bit of a tendency of late for bluntness. This must rate as one of the most sarcastic articles I've ever seen in the Thai English media. But it also makes one wonder just what other 'Tom, Dick and Harrys' are now equipped with this missile:

Thai Navy fires Exocet Missile at Defenceless Target

On Saturday morning General Boonsung, the commander-in-chief of the Thai Armed Forces, came to the Sattahip naval base with a lot of other senior military persons with the aim of seeing whether the sailors have what it takes to defend the shoreline in case of unexpected conflict. The General was flown by helicopter out to the pride of the Thai fleet, the aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Narubet, which was sailing around the Gulf of Thailand on exercises.

After leading the usual parade of bemedalled officers and handing out a number of trinkets, the General was taken up in a helicopter and treated to the spectacular sight of government money being expended by way of an Exocet missile being fired from a frigate at a stationary target set up some distance from the aircraft carrier.

The result was a perfect hit and the General could return to Bangkok happy in the knowledge the Thai navy is more than capable of firing Exocet missiles and hitting stationary targets.

[ncr]

Great writing style. Give us more of this. :cool:

[ncr]

But it also makes one wonder just what other 'Tom, Dick and Harrys' are now equipped with this missileMalaysia & Indonesia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exocet#Current_operators) (in this region of the world)

[GWR]

:eek: Although this time you can practically read their minds::::::::[New government that wishes to appease the armed forces and make a few bucks on the side into the bargain.]

French boat to visit Thailand

Thailand and France have had good relations for a long time. A French inspection boat is scheduled to visit Thailand between April 16th to 20th.

The French inspecting boat Floreal (ฟลอเรอัล) is expected to visit Thailand with an aim to cooperate in military and strengthen the relation between Thailand and France. This inspecting boat will sail from the Chao Praya (เจ้าพระยา) estuary in Samutpakarn (สมุทรปราการ) province and arrive at Klong Toey (คลองเตย) pier to a welcome from Thai officers and the French ambassador.

The Floreal is one of 6 inspections boats which was built in 1989. The name Floreal means “month of flowers”. This inspection boat is based at Port de Calais (ปอร์ต เดส์ กาเลต์ส) on the Ou-Ni-yong (อูนิยง) Island which is located in the southeastern part of Indian Ocean. This inspection boat has 92 crewmembers. Moreover, it is capable of carrying 25 commando units and is also equipped with hi-tech equipment such as detection devices and other items such as guided missiles and helicopters.

The Floreal, with its length of 93.50 meters, height of 43 meters, maximum capacity of 2950 tons, and ultimate speed of 20 knots, can operate at sea for 50 days. Its mission is to watch French’s waters closely to protect France’s national interests. It is also in charge of the Indian Ocean and a special economic zone in the north of the Antarctic.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255104170042

[GWR]

New Naval frigate handed over to Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief

http://www.pattayaone.net/pic_webnews/19_08_2_2.jpg
[Photo: Pattaya One News]

On Tuesday Morning we made our way to the Sattahip Navy Base to attend the official handing over ceremony for a newly commissioned Navy Warship. The multi-purpose vessel which can be used as a Hydrographic Survey Vessel and a sea defense vessel was constructed by the Schelde Shipbuilding Company from Holland and the Unithai Shipyard Engineering Company. At the handing-over ceremony Admiral Satirapan, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy was presented with the new boat by representatives from both companies. The boat has been named as HTMS Phareuhatsabodi and will join the fleet later this month.
http://www.pattayaone.net/news_19_08_51_2.html

[Wisarut]

http://www.pattayaone.net/news_19_08_51_2.html

More info about HTMS Phareuhatsabodi (AKA HTMS 813) is here:

http://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A3.%E0%B8%A5._%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A4%E0%B8%AB%E 0%B8%B1%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B5