Royal Thai Navy takes delivery of new medium-sized Tug HTMS Tachai.

According to a report from Defense Studies, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) recently conducted a ceremony to officially receive the third medium-sized tug, named HTMS Tachai, from the HTMS Panyee series. The event took place on August 21, 2023, at Laem Thian Port Sattahip Port Authority, situated in Sattahip District, Chonburi Province. This delivery occurred approximately seven months following the ship launching ceremony held at the ASIMAR shipyard: Asian Marine Service PCL, located in Phra Samut Chedi District, Samut Prakan Province, on January 25, 2023.
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HTMS Tachai, new tugboat for the Amphibious and Combat Support Service Squadron of the Royal Thai Navy (Picture source: Royal Thai Navy)

HTMS Tachai, the medium-sized tug, retains its foundation from the Ramparts 3200 SD tug, designed by Robert Allan Ltd. of Canada. The preceding vessels of the HTMS Panyee series were HTMS Panyee (857), commissioned on March 27, 2017, and HTMS Lipe (858), commissioned on January 23, 2020, both constructed by Ital Thai Marine Limited.

Assigned to the Amphibious and Combat Support Service Squadron (ACSSS) of the Royal Thai Fleet, HTMS Tachai will play a pivotal role. The demand for replacement has prompted the acquisition of eight tugboats. At present, six of them belong to the HTMS Rin series, with HTMS Rin (853) accounting for one and two HTMS Samaesan series tugs, namely HTMS Samaesan (855) and HTMS Rad (856). Additionally, there are two tugs from the HTMS Panyee series. Notably, HMS Rin is scheduled for decommissioning in the near future, leaving five ships operational, excluding the recently introduced HMS Tachai.

HTMS Tachai, new tugboat for the Amphibious and Combat Support Service Squadron of the Royal Thai Navy (Picture source: Royal Thai Navy)