01 Oktober 2025
The Ministry of Defence has ordered the decommissioning of several Royal Thai Navy vessels due to their deteriorating condition from long years of service. Effective from 1 October 2025, the following ships will be retired from active duty:
• HTMS Pinklao 413 (Frigate) — 66 years of service
• HTMS Phuket 333 (Fast Attack Gunboat) — 42 years of service
• HTMS Samui 832 (Tanker) — 78 years of service
• HTMS Surya 821 (Naval Buoy Tender) — 46 years of service
• Riverine Patrol Crafts No. 14, 110, 111, 136, and 144
These vessels have faithfully safeguarded Thailand’s sovereignty and maritime interests for many decades, serving the nation with great value and distinction. They remain a proud part of the Royal Thai Navy’s history.
The Royal Thai Navy continues to recognize the necessity of acquiring new generations of naval assets to maintain and enhance the nation’s maritime defense capabilities, ensuring the protection of sovereignty and national interests at sea into the future. (Royal Thai Navy)
HTMS Pinklao fired its final salute in the ceremony to transfer the commander of the Fleet before being decommissioned on October 1, 2025
The Ministry of Defense ordered the decommissioning of Royal Thai Navy vessels from service since October 1, 2025, due to deterioration and age. These vessels included HTMS Pinklao, HTMS Phuket, HTMS Samui, HTMS Suriya, and four other fast river patrol boats.
On September 30, 2025, HTMS Pinklao performed its final salute before its decommissioning. The salute was delivered during the handover ceremony for the Commander of the Fleet between Admiral Natthaphon Diaovanich, the former Commander of the Fleet, and Vice Admiral Korawit Chaiyarathi, the new Commander of the Fleet. The ceremony took place aboard HTMS Chakri Naruebet, which was moored at Chuk Samet Pier, Sattahip Port, Sattahip Naval Base. Chonburi Province
H.T.M.S. PINKLAO is a destroyer escort with a normal displacement of 1,240 tons and a full-load displacement of 1,900 tons. It measures 93.27 meters long, 11.60 meters wide, and a draft of 4.54 meters.
Armed with three 76/50 mm guns, three twin 40/60 mm machine guns (6 units), two triple torpedo tubes (6 launchers), one anti-submarine missile launcher, and eight depth charges. Two depth charges.
Powered by four 6,000-horsepower electronically controlled diesel engines with twin propellers, the ship has a maximum speed of 19.5 knots, a cruising speed of 12 knots, and a range of 4,500 miles at maximum speed and 11,500 miles at cruising speed. Crew capacity: 192.
HTMS Pinklao, formerly known as HEMNINGER (DE 746), was built at the Western Pipe and Steel Company in San Pedro, California, USA. The keel was laid on May 8, 1943, and the ship was launched on September 12, 1943.
On May 19, 1959, the United States granted the ship a five-year loan to Thailand. It was commissioned into the Royal Thai Navy on August 31, 1959.
The contract was later extended upon expiration. Until Thailand received it from the United States under a military assistance program, between 1965 and 1966, the Royal Thai Navy sent HTMS Pinklao to Guam to equip it with six anti-submarine torpedo tubes, install a fire control system, and replace some of its electronic equipment.
HTMS Pinklao remained in service with the Royal Thai Navy until its decommissioning, a total of 66 years. (Royal Thai Navy)
