Politics
Thai Navy Decommissions 10 Vessels Including Historic Ships
The Thai Ministry of Defense has ordered the decommissioning of 10 naval vessels, citing high maintenance costs and age.
According to a report by Matichon Online, the Thai Minister of Defense has signed an order to decommission 10 Royal Thai Navy vessels, effective October 1, 2026. Among the ships being retired are the HTMS Khirirat and HTMS Similan, both of which have been in service for over 50 years.
Officials stated that the decision was driven by the fact that the cost of repairing and maintaining these aging vessels is no longer economically viable. The decommissioned ships are slated to be dismantled, with the proceeds from the sale of materials to be returned to the national treasury.
For residents and travelers, this move reflects a significant modernization effort within the Thai military’s maritime fleet. While the decommissioning of these specific vessels is unlikely to impact civilian maritime travel or tourism directly, it marks the end of a long era for these historic ships. At this time, details regarding the specific timeline for the dismantling process and the potential replacement of these vessels with newer technology remain to be confirmed by the Royal Thai Navy.