The Ministry of Defense Orders the Decommissioning of 10 Navy Ships

26 September 2026

Royal Thai Navy Tapi Class Anti-Submarine Corvette, HTMS Khirirat (FF-432) (photo: Defensopedia)

On September 24, 2026, the Ministry of Defence issued an order to decommission ships that are no longer cost-effective. This follows the signing of an order by Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, Minister of Defence, on September 23, 2026, to retire several Royal Thai Navy vessels from active service, effective October 1, 2026. This decision was made because some ships have been in service for a long time, are in dilapidated condition, and require high maintenance costs compared to the benefits of continued use

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The released list includes: HTMS Khirirat (frigate), HTMS Similan (large supply ship), HTMS Suk and HTMS Chanthra (large survey ships), Patrol Boats T.81, T.82, and T.83 (coastal patrol vessels), Patrol Boat T.243 (coastal patrol vessel), and River Patrol Boats L.K.15 and L.141, totaling 10 vessels.

HTMS Similian (AOE 871) replenishment oiler (photo: GlobalSecurity)

HTMS Khirirat (hull number 432) is the longest-serving ship in its class, having been commissioned on August 10, 1974, after being built by a US company. It is currently approximately 52 years old, and the 1st Frigate Squadron has announced plans to decommission it on September 28, 2026, marking the end of a warship's service after more than half a century.

As for HTMS Similan, it is a large supply ship, not a vessel over 50 years old as some reports suggest. According to publicly available information from the Royal Thai Navy, it was commissioned on August 12, 1996, making it approximately 30 years old. Therefore, this decommissioning reflects an assessment of the ship's condition and cost-effectiveness for maintenance on a case-by-case basis, not solely based on age.

HTMS Suk 812 large survey vessels (photo: murphygodzilla)

While HTMS Suk and HTMS Chanthra are large survey vessels tasked with maritime exploration, HTMS T.81, T.82, T.83, and T.243 are patrol vessels used for security and surveillance in coastal areas. HTMS L.K.15 and L.141 are smaller river patrol vessels. Therefore, the decommissioning encompasses both large vessels and those supporting specific area missions.

The primary reason, according to the Ministry of Defense's order, was the deteriorated condition of the ships due to prolonged official service. Repairs were expensive and not cost-effective for continued use. Therefore, the approach was changed from using budget funds to repair old ships to managing naval forces in accordance with available missions and resources.

HTMS Chanthara 811 large survey vessels (photo Teachers)

After decommissioning, the Royal Thai Navy plans to follow the regulations of the Ministry of Finance by auctioning the ships. If they cannot be sold, they may be dismantled and their parts sold, with the proceeds returned to the treasury. For any unsold wreckage, the Royal Thai Navy may consider donating it to government agencies, such as for the construction of artificial reefs, subject to the relevant procedures and regulations.

This decommissioning, therefore, does not mean the end of all naval missions, but rather the gradual removal of older vessels or those that are no longer cost-effective to repair. The Royal Thai Navy must manage its force structure and support vessels to align with future missions, especially under budgetary constraints and the high cost of maintaining older ships.

Tor T.81 patrol vessel (photo: ThaiSeaFearer)

For HTMS Khirirat, which has a service history spanning over five decades, its decommissioning on October 1st will mark a significant turning point for the Royal Thai Navy's older frigates. The subsequent procedures for managing government assets will then follow.

(ChiangMaiNews)