Navy launches new submarine squadron

The Royal Thai Navy's Submarine Squadron will be officially unveiled today in a move that underscores the navy's push to have submarines added to the naval fleet.

The squadron and training centre will be opened by navy chief ADM Narong Pipattanasai at the Sattahip naval base in Chon Buri province, the unit said on its Facebook page.

The unit commanded by Panu Punyavirocha is equipped with everything including a German-made submarine simulator except one thing: Real submarines.

The construction cost of the office and equipment was estimated at 740 million baht, Rear ADM Panu said in October. The navy has over the years pushed the government to buy submarines to help navy ships protect the Gulf of Thailand.

The navy initiated the idea to set up the unit in 2011 with the hope it could get second-hand submarines from Germany, but this has so far failed to come about. Thailand has not had any submarines since its fleet of four Japanese-made vessels were retired in 1952 after 13 years in service.

"Although the navy has not had any submarines for 62 years, submarines are still important as a strategic and irreplaceable tool for the state to make up for the geographical limitations of Thailand,'' the navy said in an article to promote submarines.

The promotion of the new office on Facebook received some encouragement from internet users.

"Be patient,'' wrote Noppawit Suwanacheep on Facebook. "Submarines will eventually come.''

Another comment by Pongsakon ZakuKyon said the upcoming office launch signals the imminent arrival of submarines. "Having read that, I think we will have subs soon,'' he said.

"Although we don't have tens of billions of baht to spend on submarines, the navy must be prepared for when we will have them in the near future,'' said ADM Narong in October last year when he ordered the navy to set up the squadron.