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ROYAL THAI NAVY FINAL 222130 May 19
ROYAL THAI NAVY FINAL 222130 May 19
EX PROTIBESHI/RTN/1425/ 01
Reference:
INTRODUCTION
2. The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is the naval force of Thailand and part of
the Royal Thai Armed Forces. It was established in the late19th century. Although
Thailand had small naval components throughout much of its long history, the
development of a modern navy capable of carrying out combat missions dated from
post-World War II period. Thereafter, the size and efficiency of the RTN increased
steadily. Similar to the organizational structure of the United States, the RTN
includes the naval fleet and the Royal Thai Marine Corps. Thailand is the
only Southeast Asian country that operates an aircraft carrier, though it is used as a
pure helicopter carrier with the retirement of its Harrier fighter wing. Thailand was the
second Asian nation to acquire submarines, following Japan, and used in WW II; but
has haven’t no submarines since 1950. Royal Thai Navy conducts joint
operation exercises with a number of maritime nations.
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AIM
COUNTRY OVERVIEW
7. Historically Thailand wasa lucrative target of foreign invaders and stillher main
geographic challenge is to protect herself from foreign invaders. Thailand is
protected in the north by mountains and the Khorat Plateau. History reveals that,
Thailand possess external land threats which may come through the
TenasserimMountain range from Myanmar or Cambodia.At sea, threats may come
from anywhere. Due to her geostrategic importance, French and British used her as
a buffer zone between each other's empires and that’swhy she was relieved from
colonization. Its location, land area and long coast line allow her to exert influence
regionally.
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8. Thailand meets most of the preconditions for becoming a promising maritime
power. The sources and elements of sea power in Thailand’s perspective are
described below:
10 History of RTN is very old. During the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868), the
navy was established. With a royal decree In 8 April 1887, War and Marine
Department was established and on 1 April 1890 it was changed to Ministry of War
and Marine. In 1892, the Navy Department was placed under Ministry of Defense.
On 11 December 1910, the King upgraded the Navy Department to the Ministry of
Navy. In 1932, Thailand changed into Constitutional Monarchy from Absolute
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Monarchy. The Ministry of the Navy was downsized to a Navy Department. On 30
November 1933, Navy Department was renamed to The Royal Thai Navy.
11. Royal Thailand Navy is a strong regional navy in the SE Asia. The
development of a modern capable navy began from the post WW-II period. Defense
and deterrence are two facets of Thailand’s naval strategy. Thai navy is a well
ambitious navy in SE Asianregion.Inthis regard, she possesses an aircraft carrier
other than the Australian Navy and the US fleet in the region. RTN’s aim is to be
influential not only in territorial waters but also in the Region. Thailand's present
strategy is to maintain an active presence in the Andaman Sea, Gulf of Thailand and
South China Sea.
12. The RTN is part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Similar to the organizational
structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the Naval Fleet, and the
Royal Thai Marine Corps. The RTN operates out of Sattahip Naval Base with a
complement totaling 42000 personnel actively in service.The Royal Thai Navy is
commanded by Admiral LuechaiRutdit, Chief of Naval Staff, appointed
in 2018.
13. The RTN’s statutory roles are considered under thetwo broad categories
namely: wartime and peacetime roles. In wartime or times of intense conflict, the
RTN carryout the duties mentioned below:
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b. Enforce laws at sea.
Naval HeadquartersOrganogram
Commander in
Chief
Deputy Chief of Deputy Chief of Deputy chief of Deputy Chief of Deputy Chief of
Staff Staff Staff Staff Staff
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Naval Area command
a. First Naval Area Command: responsible for the northern part of Gulf of
Thailand.
c. Third Naval Area Command: responsible for the Andaman Sea (Indian
Ocean)
Naval Aviation
18. The RTN has two air wings, operating 40 fixed-wing aircraft and 30
helicopters from three different naval bases namely U-Tapao, Songkhla, and Phuket.
The First RTN wing has four squadrons comprising MPA, Maritime Strike Air Craft
and Utility Air Craft; the Second RTN wing has three squadrons comprising
Helicopter.
19. Royal Thai Navy is responsible for air defence of the country. Thus five
different air defence regiments have been formed, which is appendedbelow:
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a. First Air Defence Regiment. Their mission is to provide AD
coverage for the northern Gulf of Thailand with three anti-aircraft battalions.
d. Two Air and Coastal Defence Command and Control Centers. The
unit is responsible for command and control of AD system.
21. RTN has got various types ships with different capacity and role. The fleet
composition of the RTNis given in Annex A.
22. RTN has sole responsibilities for the protection of national maritime interest
and law enforcement. Outstanding achievements over the years were the effective
cleaning operation of oil spills, human trafficking and suppression of illegal narcotic
movements.
23. RTN carries out following MOOTW together with other national components
implementing in a coordinated way:
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b. Anti-Piracy Operations. RTN remains highly committed round the
year in anti-piracy operations.Anti-piracy fleet of RTN is deployed in the
Combined Maritime Forces, an international anti-piracy operation off the coast
of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden with NATO forces.
24. Joint Efforts in the Security of Malacca Strait. The Malacca Strait
Patrols (MSP) which is comprised of the Malacca Strait Sea Patrol (MSSP), the
"Eyes-in-the-Sky" (EiS) air patrols, and the Intelligence Exchange Group (IEG), is a
set of practical cooperative security measures undertaken by the four littoral states -
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand to ensure the security of the Straits of
Malacca.
b. Joint Exercise. RTN takes part in various exercises with USN like
Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), Cobra Gold and ASW
drill Guardian Sea etc.
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ANALYSIS OF ROYAL THAI NAVY
26. Thailand has a wide range of coastal and maritime area. As a maritime
frontier RTN is vested with the immediate objectives of safeguarding maritime
interests within the Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ). RTN is capable to carry out
effective patrol in its territorial water. With the present capability, RTNcan perform its
role of SLOC protection and traditional maritime security duty upto the EEZ.
27. If RTN is analyzed with respect to Naval Strategy, Sea control beyond its
middle layer; RTN with present capability can establish contested sea control
beyond territorial water. RTNcan also develop sea denial capability in future within
EEZ, within the induction of submarine in her inventory (S26T Diesel-electric (PLA
Navy’s Yuan-class boat) submarine is under construction in China).
Fighting Capabilities
30. Anti Air Warfare Capability. RTN has optimal AAW capability at sea. Its
AAW capability consists of mainly fighter interceptor, SAM and guns.
31. Maritime Air Operation Capability. RTN in integrated with Royal Thai
Aviation Force consisting 40 fixed-wing aircraft and 30 helicopters for maritime air
support.
32. Submarine Dimension. Presently, RTN doesn’t have any submarine arm.
In this regard, China’s leading shipbuilder has begun the construction of a S26T
Diesel-electric (PLA Navy’s Yuan-class boat) submarine for the RTN and the vessel
is expected to be delivered by 2023.
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Overall Capability
33. The conceptualization of RTN is developed over capability based Navy. RTN
is capable to perform its traditional role of extensive patrol in territorial water.
Presently RTN is also capable of showing presence upto EEZ. If the development
trend of RTN is analyzed, it is observed thatRTN is developed keeping in mind her
probable threat.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strength
35. Deep Sea Port. The only deep sea port of Thailand is in Phuket. The
Government of Thailand allowing a special promotion in this sector in order to
expand the port activities. Naturally the responsibility of RTN will also increase.
Deep Sea port and Special Economic Zone at 'Phuket' will increase the seaborne
commerce of Thailand in many folds.
Weakness
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Opportunity
38. Defense Budget. Military rule has been a steady boom for military
expenditures in Thailand. In recent years, Thailand has placed more emphasize on
RTN to protect the country’s maritime interest. In fiscal year 2018 the navy's budget
is 43,835 million baht.
39. Seafaring Attitude. Thailand has a long history of sea faring attitude.
Thailand would have been the first country in the south-eastern block, which would
have claimed to be a maritime nation. Thailand is a nation which borders the sea
and is dependent on its use for majority of the commerce and transport, war, to
define a territorial boundary, or for any maritime activity. History reveals the trade of
Thailand goes back to Sukhothai period (1238-1438).
41. Offshore Oil and Gas blocks. Thailand is an oil and natural gas producer.
However, the country increasingly relies on hydrocarbon imports to sustain its rising
fuel demand. Most of the country’s crude oil and condensates are from offshore
fields in the Gulf of Thailand.
Threat
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e. Natural disasters.
g. Illicitdrugtrafficking.
43. There are indications that, Thailand wants not only to increase its capability in
its own territorial waters but also in the Andaman sea. Thailand appreciates the
prestige of military hardware but she is way behind Singapore, Indonesia and
Malaysia in terms of naval arm race in the region. However, Thailand’s present
strategic posture-maintaining regular presence in Andaman Sea and gulf of
Thailand/South China Sea to protect national offshore and maritime interests and to
enforce sovereignty.
44. During the cold war, Thailand’s security environment was dominated by
traditional threats and the strategic concept of realism and balance of power which
prevailed taking a defensive posture and limitations in its area of Operations (AO) to
coastal waters. Today, Thailand’s security environment presents both traditional and
non-traditional threats resulting in RTNs expanding its AO to the littoral stateas part
of their operational concept of proactive defence and its transformation from a
coastal Navy into an Offshore Navy.
45. Thailand surely does not aspires to possess regional or extra regional
hegemony in its adjacent water column, nor it is threatened by any countries
influence to increase its naval hardware. Rather to protect its sea borne trade and
SLOC, transnational immigration and piracy and to ensure its territorial integrity
Thailand aspires for a larger and rationalNavy which can materialize its concept of
‘Proactive Defence’.
CONCLUSION
47. Thailand–The former Siam had never been a colony to any country and now
is world’s 50th largest country in geographical area and 2nd largest economy in
South-East Asian region. Geo strategically important Thailand has got gulf of
Thailand and South China Sea in her south and Andaman Sea at her western
peninsula flank. Its location, land area and long coast line and large economy allow
her to exert influence regionally. She is a member country of ASEAN. Royal Thai
Navy established on late 19th century. RTN is consists of Royal Thai marine corps,
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Air & Coastal defence Division, Naval Special Warfare Command and Riverine
Patrol Regiment. Being the least politicised force RTN could concentrate more on
their force development.
48. Thailand could fulfil all the criteria of being a Sea Power in the region. Her
wide land area ofabout 513,120 square kilometerwith more than 250 islands and a
long coastline of 3,219 kmhas made her geographically competent. Her 9 in number
sea ports, a very promising and lucrative ship building and repair facilities along with
world’s 35th largest merchant marine and 3rd biggest fishing fleet Thailand is truly a
sea fearing nation. Thai government has given greater emphasis on the
development of RTN to secure her maritime interests.
49. With 42000 active personnel, Royal Thailand Navy is a regional strong navy
in the SE Asia. The defence strategy of Thailand encompasses comprehensive
national defence. Defense and deterrence are two facets of Thailand’s naval
strategy. Naval affairs are directed from Bangkok naval headquarters which has got
three naval area commands to accomplish her mission. Thai navy is a well ambitious
navy in this region in this regard she possesses an aircraft carrier other than the
Australian Navy and the US fleet in the region. Thailand's present strategy is to
maintain an active presence in the Andaman Sea, Gulf of Thailand and South China
Sea.
50. RTN has predefined mission to the country for both war and peace time.
Defending the sea area and Sea lines of communications, conducting amphibious
operation and anti-air defence and to provide sea logistics support is her war time
mission. Again to support Government whenever required, enforcing law at sea,
ensuring open SLOC at all time, search and rescue, Conserve and protect the
marine environment, etc. are her peacetime mission.RTN under takes various
MOOTW in support of other agencies of the government in addition to her fighting
role.Besides nation support activities, RTN participate number of joint and
multinational exercises in the region.
51. The conceptualization of RTN is developed over capability based Navy. RTN
is capable to perform its traditional role of extensive patrol in territorial water.
Presently RTN is also capable of showing presence upto EEZ in last few years. If
the development trend of RTN is analyzed, it is observed thatRTN is developed
keeping in mind her probable threat.
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Dhaka ELON
Lieutenant Commander
May 2019 Course No235
Annex:
Bibliography:
Books
Website
4. https://stopillegalfishing.com/press-links/thailaands-fight-to-eliminate-illegal-
activity-and-promote-human-rights-in-the-fishing-industry/retrieved 14 May 2019.
5. http://www.thaiembassy.sg/activities/royal-thai-navy-anti-piracy-fleet retrieved
15 May 2019.
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Defence_(Thailand)#cite_note-BB-
2018-2retrieved 14 May 2019.
8. https://www.export.gov/article?id=Thailand-defense-and-securityretrieved 18
May 2019.
9. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/religion-southern-thailand-
conflictretrieved 18 May 2019.
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11. https://apcss.org/enhancing-southeast-asia-maritime-law-enforcement-
capacity-through-regional-partnership-and-cooperation/retrieved 19 May 2019.
12. https://navaltoday.com/2018/06/21/carat-thailand-concludes-in-
pattaya/retrieved 20 May 2019.
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