Thai Navy to retire 10 ageing vessels from October

"...would require costly maintenance..." well, we know that seems to be far down the list of cultural/economic values here.

Fortuitous timing as the UK seeks more defence spending to improve it's capabilities

12 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Navy restructuring plan

The report said the retirements form part of a wider Royal Thai Navy effort to restructure and modernise its maritime force in line with budget constraints, current security threats and operational requirements.

Okay, can't be bothered with Janes Defense, but how many vessels do they have left? Didn't a major cruiser or destroyer sink a few years ago?

Thailand has a capable military, but needs to identify who the potential enemies are, other than maybe Cambodia, which isn't much of a military threat anyhow.

On a naval platform to defend the seas, then there aren't really many issues apart from drugs, Cambodia antics, or illegal peddlers of fuel/other contraband etc, or just standard maritime safety and control. You can do this with coast guard cutters and a few frigates plus airpower, maybe a sub or two (but the Gulf of Thailand is shallow and they are easily detected)... don't really need destroyers or cruisers unless you are going to form a strike group around your obselete aircraft carrier, which needs a refurb. It's better for Thailand to concentrate on its land borders.

Edited 6 hours ago6 hr by Sir Dude

2 minutes ago, Sir Dude said:

You can do this with coast guard cutters

Sure, but like everything else here that can't happen because it would push senior naval officers out of the feed lot. Nothing gets purchased - or even proposed to government - from the military or any other part of the bloated bureaucracy - without first calculating the payouts. It works backwards here - first and foremost, how can they make money through some public purchase (needed or not)? Once that's figured out it goes for approvals and then to purchasing - then their kid gets a Benz and/or a university education overseas.

why not retire that "white" elephant, which is useless and expensive to maintain, HTMS Chakri Naruebet (911).

Surely these ships have one last military coup in them. 😂 😂