Picture courtesy of Khaosod 

 

The Royal Thai Fleet has temporarily suspended public visits to HTMS Chakri Naruebet as security measures are tightened in response to rising tensions along the Thai–Cambodian border. Fleet officials confirmed on 17 November 2025 that the aircraft carrier has shifted into a readiness and heightened security posture, with this move to prevent any risk of surveillance during the current period of instability. The decision is aimed at safeguarding both national security and the safety of naval personnel.

 

According to the Royal Thai Fleet, unrest near the border has recently intensified, prompting a reassessment of protocols at key naval installations. The fleet noted that the escalating situation requires additional precautionary steps to protect classified military operations and sensitive assets. As a result, the carrier is no longer open for public tours until conditions stabilise.

 

HTMS Chakri Naruebet will now operate under strict security and readiness procedures. Officials emphasised that controlling access to the vessel is crucial in preventing potential intelligence gathering attempts during a time of heightened regional tension. They added that the temporary halt is purely precautionary and intended to maintain the highest level of operational confidentiality.

 

Khoasod reported that authorities stated that the decision to restrict visits is in line with wider security measures being implemented across the fleet. The Royal Thai Navy expects that once the border situation improves, an evaluation will be carried out to determine when public access can safely resume. Until then, the vessel will remain fully secured while monitoring of regional developments continues.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• The Royal Thai Fleet has suspended public visits to HTMS Chakri Naruebet due to rising Thai–Cambodian border tensions.

• The aircraft carrier has entered a heightened readiness and security mode to prevent potential surveillance.

• Public access will resume only after officials assess that regional conditions have stabilised.

 

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Khaosod 2025-11-18

 

 

 

 

It is a showpiece only. Showing the Thais how the military can throw away 285 million USD. It has no planes. Was last used to help after the Tsunami hit Thailand as a rescue vehicle. 

The Thais call it the white elephant. or Thai-tanic. 

https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/thailands-aircraft-carrier-htms-chakri-naruebet-from-naval-pride-to-public-punchline/

 

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

HTMS Chakri Naruebet will now operate under strict security and readiness procedures. Officials emphasised that controlling access to the vessel is crucial in preventing potential intelligence gathering attempts during a time of heightened regional tension. They added that the temporary halt is purely precautionary and intended to maintain the highest level of operational confidentiality.

So someone in the upper echelons of the military, still see this Thai-tanic as an asset to be used in conflicts. To be protected and prepared for any military action. Even though it has no use except for tourism and laughs among the Thai people. 

'Foreigners' are not allowed on that ship without written permission from the admiralty .... however persons looking Thai could just walk straight onboard as long as they kept quiet...Filipino,Chinese,Korean,

Malaysian etc....

22 minutes ago, johng said:

'Foreigners' are not allowed on that ship without written permission from the admiralty .... however persons looking Thai could just walk straight onboard as long as they kept quiet...Filipino,Chinese,Korean,

Malaysian etc....

 

Persons "looking Thai" have to provide Thai ID.

Not when they turned me away...admittedly that was many years ago...I stood outside the gift

shop  and saw many Thai looking foreigners board...or de board then go to the gift shop.

1 hour ago, thesetat said:

it has no use except for tourism

This is such a joke.  I was once accosted by Security for taking a photograph of this lame duck.  It is the same sort of daft Thainess that forbids passengers from taking photos when aboard a plane at U-Tapao.  Seemingly Thai admirals have never heard of Google Earth!

1 hour ago, johng said:

'Foreigners' are not allowed on that ship without written permission from the admiralty .... however persons looking Thai could just walk straight onboard as long as they kept quiet...Filipino,Chinese,Korean,

Malaysian etc....

or Cambodian!

What a joke !!! 

retracted as somebody already posted my comments.

4 hours ago, thesetat said:

It is a showpiece only. Showing the Thais how the military can throw away 285 million USD. It has no planes. Was last used to help after the Tsunami hit Thailand as a rescue vehicle. 

The Thais call it the white elephant. or Thai-tanic. 

https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/thailands-aircraft-carrier-htms-chakri-naruebet-from-naval-pride-to-public-punchline/

 

So someone in the upper echelons of the military, still see this Thai-tanic as an asset to be used in conflicts. To be protected and prepared for any military action. Even though it has no use except for tourism and laughs among the Thai people. 

 

Thales awarded contract for systems upgrade a few days ago.

 

Minimum cost likely over $20 million.

 

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/thai-carrier-to-receive-thales-integrated-management-upgrade/

 

 

 

 

 

 

They got jump jets?

If it has no visitors ,it has no reason to exist, " the aircraft carrier has shifted into a readiness "

without any airplanes on it ,just another waste of money ,like the Blimp, those ,expensive

detectors,that were bought on a promise to detect bombs ,but had nothing inside them !

 

regards worgeordie  

9 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

the aircraft carrier has shifted into a readiness and heightened security posture

It looks the same as always - inert.

Best advice is to insure it then let someone sink it. It's worth more dead than alive.

2 hours ago, Peter Crow said:

They got jump jets?

I believe the jump jets are now all inoperable..helicopters.  

So, no more children's day in January on the runway of this ill-gotten aircraft carrier then. Well, after 40 years since being put into service the vessel finally gets readied to go to war .........

Did anyone tell the admirals, that there are no longer any functioning aircraft for this particular aircraft carrier and so they either launch drones, helicopters or kites instead .......

This rattling of the cage is not getting the conflict anywhere nearer to a fast settlement ............ 

The smallest aircraft carrier in the world today, with no aircraft.

Sitting by a dock in the bay, waiting for a companion submarine with no engine

On 11/18/2025 at 3:50 AM, Georgealbert said:

the aircraft carrier has shifted into a readiness and heightened security posture,

 

Readiness for what, exactly? Certainly not to launch aircraft. 

 

On 11/18/2025 at 3:50 AM, Georgealbert said:

controlling access to the vessel is crucial in preventing potential intelligence gathering attempts

 

Don't worry, there's precious little intelligence of any kind there to be gathered...

2 hours ago, khunjeff said:

Readiness for what, exactly? Certainly not to launch aircraft. 

 

The US has pre World War I museum ships that are more of wartime threat than this thing.

On 11/18/2025 at 3:50 AM, Georgealbert said:

has shifted into a readiness and heightened security posture,

 

to avoid LAND mines?