25 Mei 2013
The Royal Thai Navy took delivery of three new patrol boats to guard the coastline and provide security for the royal family.
Navy commander Adm. Surasak Runroengrom accepted the vessels from shipbuilder Marsun Co. May 16 at the Sattahip Naval Base’s Laem Thien Pier. The boats then were handed over to Coast Guard Squadron commander Rear Adm. Surapol Khuptaphan.
The patrol boats replace three older vessels operating in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea, guarding against drug traders, smugglers and illegal fishing fleets. They are also tasked with providing security for the royal family.
Marsun spent 26 months building the three boats, which measure 21.4 meters long and 5.6 meters wide. They have a top speed of 30 knots, range of 350 nautical miles and can operate continuously 24 hours.
The nine-person crew has three weapons at their disposal: a 20mm gun on the bow, half-inch machine gun on the stern and an 81mm grenade launcher.