Sattahip-
Yesterday, August 27th, 2026, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and the Minister of the Interior, visited the training of the Task Force Fleet in the Upper Gulf of Thailand and Naval Training Area No. 15 (Hat Yao) in Sattahip District in Chonburi province to review force preparation and operational readiness in line with the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy’s policy designating 2569 (2026) as the “Year of Combat Readiness of the Royal Thai Navy.” He was welcomed by Admiral Pairote Fuengchan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy.
The visit was intended to demonstrate the Navy’s readiness in personnel, equipment and tactics, as well as the integration of naval forces, air assets, the Marine Corps Command, Naval Special Warfare units and command-and-control systems so that they can operate together effectively.
On this occasion the Prime Minister observed operations aboard HTMS Chakri Naruebet, received a briefing on the situation and the concept of force employment, watched naval gunfire support to the shore, and viewed a demonstration of unmanned vehicles. The exercise forms part of the development of the concept of using HTMS Chakri Naruebet as a “UXV Carrier”, a command, control and support platform for unmanned systems operating in multiple dimensions, including patrol, surveillance, search and targeting. This is intended to extend range and continuity of operations, reduce risk to personnel and enhance the effectiveness of the Navy’s main combat forces.
HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej, a high-capability frigate and one of the Navy’s principal combat units, took part in the training at full mission level to demonstrate capabilities in detection, identification and engagement of targets, command and control, and joint operations with ships, aircraft and other units.
The exercise also showcased the central role of high-capability frigates as the core of the fleet in air defence, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, data linking and control of maritime operations. At present, however, the Navy has only a limited number of frigates of this class, while countries in the region continue to develop their naval forces and military technology.
The Prime Minister and his party later flew in an S-70B Sea Hawk anti-submarine helicopter from HTMS Chakri Naruebet to visit the Incident Command Center (ICC) for large-scale disaster relief at Naval Training Area No. 15. They observed demonstrations of equipment readiness and inter-unit integration, showing that the Navy’s capabilities can be applied to national defence, the protection of sovereignty and maritime national interests, and assistance to the public in disasters or emergencies. Anutin also took the time to help cook lunch for many hungry Royal Thai Navy members, reportedly cooking a delicious Pad Krapow.
The visit was not intended merely to display the readiness of individual ships, aircraft or weapon systems, but to show the readiness of the Royal Thai Navy as a complete system, from situational awareness and command and control through force employment and logistics to assistance for the people.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
