Thai Navy to Procure Eighth Frigate from South Korea for 16 Billion Baht

By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE THAI navy has decided to procure an eighth frigate to be manufactured by a South Korean shipbuilder at a price of about 16 billion baht, according to naval fleet commander Adm.Korawit Chayarati. South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, previously Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., has been picked as contractor to build the eighth frigate for the Thai navy at the cost of 16.73 billion baht, the admiral confirmed today (Sep.8) but stopped short of saying how soon the boat will be delivered. Thailand currently deploys seven frigates including a South-Korean-made, HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej-class frigate, two Chinese-made, Naresuan-class frigates namely HTMS Naresuan and HTMS Taksin and four Chinese-made Chao Phraya-class frigates namely HTMS Chao Phraya, HTMS Bangpakong, HTMS Kraburi and HTMS Saiburi. In addition, Thailand currently has five corvettes in operation including a US-made, HTMS Ratanakosin-class corvette, three Thai-made, Khamronsin-class corvettes namely HTMS Khamronsin, HTMS Thayanchon and HTMS Longlom, and a US-made, Tapi-class corvette namely HTMS Khirirat. HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej, delivered to the Thai navy by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, the predecessor of Hanwha Ocean. Photo – Hanwha Ocean and published by Korea JoongAng Daily