Songkhla: The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy inspected the readiness of naval forces in southern Thailand, following up on the year of combat readiness aimed at enhancing capabilities to maintain national security and interests at sea.
According to Thai News Agency, Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyapan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, revealed that Admiral Pairoj Fuengchan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, visited naval forces in the areas of responsibility of the Second Naval Area Command in Songkhla Province and the Third Naval Area Command in Phang Nga Province. The purpose of the visit was to monitor progress in implementing the "Year of Combat Readiness for the Royal Thai Navy" policy and to assess readiness for maritime security missions.
During this visit, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy received an overview of the maritime security situation, naval force deployment and deployment, personnel and equipment readiness, training, and coordination with relevant security agencies. Emphasis was placed on maintaining continuity of maritime control, preventing and suppressing maritime illegal activities, and ensuring the safety of shipping lanes and national interests at sea.
The Commander-in-Chief also expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the personnel of the Second and Third Naval Area Commands for their strong and continuous support in assisting the public during the recent floods in Songkhla and Satun provinces. This reflects the role of the navy in supporting security missions while also assisting the public and standing alongside them in all circumstances.
Furthermore, the Second Naval Area Command played a crucial role in ensuring the security of energy resources at sea during past conflict situations, while also controlling and maintaining the security of maritime transport routes entering and exiting the Gulf of Thailand. Meanwhile, the Third Naval Area Command's primary mission is to maintain maritime security in the Andaman Sea, overseeing vital maritime transport routes crucial for trade, tourism, and energy transportation, as well as preventing and suppressing maritime crimes such as drug trafficking, customs duty evasion, and illegal immigration. This aims to enhance security and confidence in the western maritime area of the country, a vital economic zone for Thailand.
The Royal Thai Navy reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the capabilities of its naval forces to ensure readiness for national defense, maritime security, and public assistance missions. This includes maintaining the readiness of personnel, equipment, and integration with all sectors to enable a timely and appropriate response to any situation.