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Royal Thai Navy News

06 Sep 2023

New Tug Delivered to the Thai Navy

(Photo: Robert Allan Ltd.)

The Royal Thai Navy has taken delivery of the new tug H.T.M.S. Ta Chai built by Asian Marine Services PCL. The vessel, having already undergone sea trials, was officially handed over on August 21.The newly completed RAmparts 3200-SD tug was designed by Canada's Robert Allan Ltd. to serve the navy’s surface ships and submarines.The design features a slightly wider hull form with improved features compared to two RAmparts 3200 tugs delivered to the Royal Thai Navy in 2017 and 2019…

25 Jun 2021

Royal Thai Navy signs on for a new RAmparts 3200-SD Tug

Photo courtesy Robert Allan Ltd.

A contract for a new RAmparts 3200-SD tug was recently signed by Robert Allan Ltd. and Asian Marine Services Public Company Limited (ASIMAR) of Thailand for the design for the Royal Thai Navy. ASIMAR signed the construction contract with the Royal Thai Navy on May 25th, 2021, with Admiral Chatchai Sriworakan, Commander in Chief presiding over the signing ceremony.The Royal Thai Navy currently operates two RAmparts 3200 tugs, and this third RAmparts 3200 tugboat will, similar to the previous two tugs…

23 Jan 2020

MAN to Power Thai Navy Newbuilds

Rendering of the new patrol craft for the Royal Thai Navy (Image: Marsun)

MAN Energy Solutions said it has secured a contract to supply the main propulsion engines for two new 41-meter patrol vessels for the Royal Thai Navy. Each vessel will be powered by two MAN 16V175D-MM, IMO Tier II engines, each rated at 2,960 kWm at 1,900 rpm.Marsun Shipyard in Thailand will construct the newbuildings with delivery scheduled for August 2020.The Royal Thai Navy already operates MAN Energy Solutions engines on its Krabi-class offshore patrol vessels; a second such…

20 Jun 2019

Italthai Launches Royal Thai Navy Tug

Thailand's shipbuilder Italthai Marine has launched a new RAmparts 3200 tug in Samut Prakan, Thailand.According to a release from Robert Allan Ltd, who designed and developed the tug, this is the second hull built by Italthai Marine for the Royal Thai Navy, the sister of Panyi 857 which was delivered in 2016 and has been successfully in operation since.The launch ceremony was performed according to naval tradition for good fortune and was presided over by Royal Thai Navy Commander in Chief with the Navy Wives Association President as the sponsor.The new tug is powered by twin MTU 16V4000M54 main engines driving Schottel SRP1212 fixed pitch propellers.The fendering system at the bow consist of two rows of cylindrical fender and a lower course of “W” fenders.

12 Oct 2018

Interview: Jeong-kie Lee, Chairman, Korean Register & IACS

Jeong-kie Lee, Chairman and CEO, Korean Register

This month we caught up with Jeong-kie Lee, Chairman and CEO of the Korean Register and also the Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), for his insights on the dominant trends moving the maritime industry into the future.The maritime industry has been challenged, to say the least. Today, where do you see challenge? Where do you see opportunity?The maritime industry is in a state of extreme upheaval, with private and public organizations having to deal with a wide range of ever changing…

12 Sep 2018

Keel Laid for Royal Thai Navy Tug

(Photo: Robert Allan Ltd.)

Thai shipbuilder Italthai Marine Limited in July hosted a keel laying ceremony for a new 32-meter tug that it is building for the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).The builder was awarded the construction contract for this second RAmparts 3200 tug earlier this year after delivering the first, Panyi 857, in 2016.Designed by Canadian naval architect and marine engineering firm Robert Allan Ltd., the tugs are built for handling large navy vessels and submarines coming in and out of port, as well as supporting oil recovery operations…

05 Jul 2018

49 Missing After Boat Capsizes off Thailand's Phuket Island

Forty nine people are missing after a boat carrying 97 people, including Chinese tourists and Thai crew, capsized in rough seas off Thailand's tourist island of Phuket, the Thai navy said on Thursday. Thailand is in the middle of its monsoon season which brings with it adverse weather conditions. "Right now we are still looking for 49 people. We have helped 48 people from the capsized boat. We have sent boats to help," Rear Admiral Somnuk Prempramote, commander of the Royal Thai Navy Region 3. "They were all wearing life jackets," he added. The boat was one of three to encounter difficulties at sea in the area on Thursday, the navy said. Another two boats, including a yacht carrying 39 people, also capsized but its passengers have been brought to safety.

22 Feb 2018

Thai Navy Orders New Tug from Italthai

On January 19, 2018, Italthai Marine Limited of Thailand signed a contract with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) for the construction of a sister ship to the Robert Allan Ltd. designed RAmparts 3200 tug Panyi 857. Italthai have built three Robert Allan Ltd. tugs previously for Thailand, Panyi 857 built in 2016 and a pair of RAmparts 2800’s for The Port Authority of Thailand, Tarua 120 and Tarua 302 both built in 2012. Hull form and all equipment are the same as Panyi 857 with enhanced fendering system to handle the navy’s new submarines. Purpose of the tug includes handling large navy vessels and submarines during in or out port, supporting of oil recovery operation, firefighting operation and other duties.

21 Aug 2017

HMAS Ballarat Returns Home

HMAS Ballarat has sailed into her home port of Fleet Base West in Rockingham, Western Australia, to a large gathering of family and friends after completing a three month deployment to South East Asia and; participating in Exercise TALISMAN SABER off the Australian coast. The deployment, which began in early April, was part of the Australian Government’s efforts to promote regional stability and improve interoperability between regional partners and included port visits to Zhanjiang, Singapore, Sattahip, Bangkok, Da Nang and Kota Kinabalu. Ballarat’s Commanding Officer, Commander Paul Johnson said that the deployment facilitated great opportunities to enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s interoperability with regional partners…

31 May 2017

New Tug Delivered to Royal Thai Navy

Photo: Robert Allan Ltd.

Italthai Marine, Thailand recently delivered H.T.M.S. Panyi, a Robert Allan Ltd. designed RAmparts 3200 class tug to the Royal Thai Navy. The tug was officially enrolled by Admiral Na Arreenich, the Naval Commander on March 27, 2017 in Bangkok. Panyi was named after Ko Panyi which is a fishing village in Phang Nga, Thailand, notable for being built on stilts by fishermen and is a well-known tourist destination. The name was given by King Rama IX (King Bhumibol Adulyadej) and was marked the last vessel of the Royal Thai Navy named by His Majesty. The delivery of H.T.M.S.

12 May 2017

US, Singapore, Thai Navies Complete CARAT

Ships from the Republic of Singapore navy, Royal Thai navy and U.S. Navy completed a three-day multilateral Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise in the South China Sea May 12. The three-day exercise included a broad spectrum of naval competencies and maritime security training aimed at enhancing cooperation and interoperability amongst the three navies. The navies are long-time maritime partners under the CARAT series, which began in 1995 with Thailand and Singapore as original participants in the exercise series. The multilateral engagement follows initiative to make some phases of the CARAT exercise series multilateral.

16 Feb 2017

Green Bay, Royal Thai Navy Kick Off Cobra Gold 2017

Amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20), with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), officially kicked off Exercise Cobra Gold 2017 (CG 17) in Sattahip, Thailand, Feb. 14. Cobra Gold is a Thailand/United States co-sponsored, combined task force and joint theater security cooperation exercise conducted annually in the Kingdom of Thailand. CG 17 will be held Feb. 14-24, with up to 29 nations participating. CG 17, in its 36th iteration, will address regional and global security challenges and will promote international cooperation and stability within the region. This year, Cobra Gold will strengthen regional cooperation and collaboration…

27 May 2016

MAN 28/33D STC Engines for Thai Navy’s New OPV

MAN V28/33D STC engine, in 20-cylinder version (Image: MAN Diesel & Turbo)

The Royal Thai Navy has ordered a new 90-m offshore patrol vessel (OPV) to be constructed at Mahidol Adulyadej naval dockyard in Sattahip. The newbuilding, an improved River-class design, will be powered by two MAN 16V28/33D STC engines. Locally called OPV No. 2, the order follows that of OPV No. 1, the HTMS Krabi ordered in 2009, a similar vessel that featured two 16V28/33D engines.

26 May 2016

US, Thailand Naval Exercise in Andaman Sea

The U.S. Navy (USN) and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) kicked off Exercise Guardian Sea, Andaman Sea comprising bilateral naval training drills that aim to enhance cooperation in the fields of anti-submarine warfare and maritime domain awareness. Exercise 'Guardian Sea' in 2016 will also feature a shore phase with seminars and exchanges between subject-matter experts from both navies. The drills allow the navies to practice procedures related to anti-submarine warfar. Exercise Guardian Sea includes personnel from the U.S. 7th Fleet’s Task Force 73 and Destroyer Squadron 7 and features the guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem, a P-8A Poseidon aircraft and a Los Angeles-class submarine operating alongside Thai ships and aircraft, a Navy statement said. Capt. H.B.

03 Feb 2016

BAE Systems Supports Thai Navy Patrol Boat Build

Danela McFadyen, Head of Commercial, International with Captain Pichayane Tanprasert, Managing Director of Bangkok Dock (Photo: BAE Systems)

BAE Systems announced it has signed a contract with Bangkok Dock to assist in the licensed construction of a second 90-meter Offshore Patrol Vessel for the Royal Thai Navy. Under the agreement, BAE Systems will provide engineering support and advice during construction of the vessel in Thailand. Nigel Stewart, Commercial Director, BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business, said, “We’re looking forward to building and strengthening our relationship with Thailand’s shipbuilding industry.

08 Oct 2015

Steel Cut on UK Navy’s Newest Warship

Image: BAE Systems

Construction has begun on a new warship for the U.K. Royal Navy as the Minister of State for Defense Procurement, Philip Dunne MP cut the first steel in Glasgow today. HMS Trent is the third of three River Class Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) designed and constructed by BAE Systems. Employees, as well as representatives of the Royal Navy and local community, joined the Minister as he switched on a plasma cutting machine in a formal ceremony in Govan. “These new ships will…

08 Oct 2015

Royal Thai Navy Orders Harbor Tug

Photo: Robert Allan Ltd.

The Royal Thai Navy has ordered a new 32-meter tug from shipbuilder Italthai Marine Limited of Thailand, announced the vessel’s designer, Robert Allan Ltd. Italthai Marine, whose Managing Director Wirat Chanasit inked the construction deal with Navy Commander Admiral Krisorn Chansuvarnich on September 17, has entered a contract with Robert Allan Ltd. for its RAmparts 3200 Class Tug design, part of the popular RAmparts Series. According to the designer, the Z-drive diesel-powered harbor tug is optimized for ship-assist service and coastal towing.

31 Jul 2015

Thai Navy Lobbies for More Submarines

The Royal Thai Navy claims it urgently needs more submarines to compete with other Asian countries. The assistant commander made the claim aimed at persuading a skeptical public that the nation should invest in its military in a white paper sent to reporters, the Bangkok Post reported. The  nine-page document detailing what it says are the reasons why the country needs to spend  Bt24 trillion on buying three submarines from China. It could take up to eight years for Thailand to acquire a new submarine. Critics earlier this month condemned the navy's proposal to spend roughly 36 billion baht on Chinese submarines. The white paper, ordered by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, appears to be an attempt to drum up public support for the submarines.

26 Jun 2015

Thailand Buying 3 Chinese Subs

Thailand plans to buy three Chinese-made submarines for the Royal Thai Navy at a cost of 355 million dollars each. Three Chinese-made submarines worth 355 million dollars each may be purchased by Thailand for its Royal Navy, the newspaper Bangkok Post reported today (Friday), citing a source in the country's procurement committee. The majority of the 17-strong committee voted to buy three Chinese submarines, saying it was the “best value for money”. The rest were split between submarines from Germany and South Korea. The navy also received offers from Russia, Sweden and France. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon backs the submarine project, citing a growing territorial threat and an increasing number of maritime missions.

08 Jul 2015

Thailand $1 bln Submarine Deal with China

Thailand’s navy has approved a 36 billion baht ($1.1 billion) plan to buy three submarines from China, reports local media. Royal Thai navy officials selected China over competing bids from Russia, Sweden, France, Germany and South Korea. Leading members of the ruling military junta and the Royal Thai Navy have insisted that a plan to buy three submarines from China is necessary to augment Thailand’s national defense capabilities. Although Thailand’s navy has maintained a submarine division, it has lacked a single vessel for the last 63 years. The army stripped the navy of its submarines in 1951 after naval officers attempted to stage a coup d’etat against the army-backed government at the time.

09 Jul 2015

Box Ship Sinaran Andaman Sank off Thailand

A Cambodian-registered container ship and a fishing boat sank in rough seas off Phuket on Wednesday morning, but the navy saved both crews. The cargo ship Sinaran Andaman reportedly suffers an engine problem en route from Tub Lamu and the heavy seas forced it onto the nearby rock sat Koh Hae island south of Phuket about 10am. It began taking in water. The 10-member crew managed to board a lifeboat and were airlifted in good health condition by a Royal Thai Navy helicopter. The 10 crew members, six Indonesians and four from Myanmar were rescued by a helicopter of the 3rd Naval Area Command. The 68-metre-long, 793-gross-ton ship belongs to Andaman Unik Co in Penang, Malaysia. It was last in port at Tub Lamu, Phang Nga.

16 Jul 2015

Brakes on Thai Plan to Buy Submarines

The proposal to buy three Chinese submarines has been put on hold and would not be put into consideration by the Cabinet yet, said Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan. Prawit said this month the navy had approved a 36 billion baht ($1.06 billion) plan to buy three submarines from China. The bid to buy submarines, which was to go to the cabinet Tuesday, was delayed until the Royal Thai Navy do more research of the project’s pros, Thai PBS reported. His comments come just weeks after the Thai navy confirmed that it had selected Chinese submarines over others from Germany, South Korea, Sweden and Russia to give Bangkok its first submarine capability since 1951. Thailand, a staunch U.S.

20 Jul 2015

Indian Naval Chief to Visit Singapore, Thailand

With an effort to consolidate the Navy-to-Navy cooperation and to strengthen the relationship in tune with India’s Act East policy, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral RK Dhowan will be going on a five-day tour to Singapore and Thailand. Dhowan will be visiting Singapore from 20-22 July and Thailand from July 23-25. During the Singapore visit, Dhowan will meet various dignitaries, including that country’s defence minister, chief of defence forces and the Chief of Navy. He will also visit the prestigious Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute (SAFTI MI) to interact with the faculty and officers there. An overview of the operational facilities at the Changi Naval base is also planned besides briefings on the International Data Fusion Centre (IFC)…