Politics
Thai Navy to Decommission 11 Vessels Including Historic Ships
The Thai Ministry of Defense has signed an order to decommission 11 naval vessels, citing high maintenance costs and age.
According to a report by Matichon Online, the Thai Minister of Defense has officially signed an order to decommission 11 vessels from the Royal Thai Navy fleet. The decommissioning process is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026.
Among the vessels slated for retirement are the HTMS Khirirat and the HTMS Similan, both of which have been in service for over 50 years. The decision follows an assessment indicating that the cost of repairing and maintaining these aging ships is no longer economically viable. The Ministry plans to dismantle the vessels and sell the materials, with the proceeds to be returned to the national treasury.
For residents and travelers, this move marks a significant reduction in the size of the naval fleet, reflecting a shift toward modernizing military assets. While the decommissioning is confirmed for October, details regarding the specific timeline for the dismantling process and the final disposal of the scrap materials remain to be clarified by the Ministry of Defense. There is no indication that this administrative change will impact maritime security operations or public access to naval museums, though observers will be watching to see how the government manages the transition of these historic ships.