On April 18, the frigate, which will act as a submarine support vessel, sailed from Shanghai’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard.
On the way from China, the RTN ship HTMS Narathiwat escorted it, and a special ceremony was held to celebrate its arrival at 3 o’clock. RTN Commander-in-Chief Admiral Choengchai Chomchoengpaet oversaw the ceremony.
The landing and military service unit of the RTN was thereafter given the frigate.The most recent type-071 landing platform dock, HTMS Chang, cost 6.1 billion baht to construct and was produced by China Shipbuilding Trading.
It will be used to support a Chinese submarine of the S26T Yuan class, whose delivery has been postponed over an issue with its engine.With a maximum displacement of 20,003 tonnes, a top speed of 25 knots, and a range of 10,000 nautical miles, the frigate is 213 meters long and 28 meters broad.
The 600-person crew can be accommodated, and the ship can withstand rough waves.In accordance with the Navy’s 20-year strategy (2017–2036), the frigate was purchased in order to acquire four docks with landing platforms for use in amphibious warfare, marine rescue operations, and disaster relief.
To increase operational efficiency, the Royal Thai Navy must purchase more docks for landing platforms, according to the RTN.The third HTMS Chang in Thailand replaces the first, which was sunk off Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand to become the nation’s biggest diving wreck.
43 years after the US Navy handed over the ship, then known as the USS Lincoln County, to the Thai government on August 31, 1962, the second HTMS Chang was decommissioned.
On November 28, 2012, the RTN scuttled the ship in Trat province to establish the Hin Luk Bat diving site as part of an effort to build a reef and restore marine life.
