Royal Thai Navy acquires five new patrol ships

CHON BURI, THAILAND, May 9 (TNA) - Five new coastal patrol ships have been delivered to the Royal Thai Navy, based on its 2008-2017 strategy on acquiring 20 new ships totally to replace the aging ones. Thai Navy Chief Admiral Naris Prathumsuwan on Wednesday presided over a ceremony to officially receive the five newly-built patrol ships at the Laem Thien Port in Sattahip area of the country's eastern seaside Chon Buri Province, in which other senior navy officers and distinguished guests also participated. Thailand-based Marsun Co.,Ltd. has been authorized to build all the 20 new patrol ships, 15 of which have already been delivered to the Royal Thai Navy, in order to promote and support the country's ship building industry and to cut the acquirement budget for the new ships. "Fully-equipped with advanced technological systems, the five newly-acquired ships, 21.40 meter-long, 5.56 meter-wide and 3.15 meter-deep each,have their combat capabilities within the 350-nautical mile-range and operational mandate covering coastal areas in both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. They are assigned to conduct patrols, safeguard Members of the Royal Thai Family, prevent and intercept national maritime threats, protect Thai trawlers and commercial vessels, as well as marine resources, while also enforcing sea laws", the Royal Thai Navy said in a statement. (TNA)