This weekend, if you don't have any travel plans, TerraBKK recommends you visit the "International Maritime Expo," which will be held from November 13-22, 2017, in Pattaya, Chonburi Province, and the upper Gulf of Thailand. This marks the first time that an international naval review ceremony is being held in Thailand.

The "International Maritime Expo" is organized to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN's establishment. The naval review ceremony is an important event for the navy, honoring significant figures from both domestic and international backgrounds. Generally, the ships participating in the international naval review are chosen based on their combat history or naval engagements, as well as modern technological capabilities, showcasing the strengths of the participating countries.

For this significant occasion, the Royal Thai Navy has selected the HTMS Thalang, part of the Mine Countermeasures Squadron, to serve as the flagship for the ceremony. The event will follow a Fleet Review format, where all ships will be anchored in place. The Prime Minister will be aboard the HTMS Thalang as it sails past, similar to a military parade on land where vehicles pass by the troops.

The HTMS Thalang was commissioned on June 25, 2023, with a full displacement of 1,095 tons, a length of 55.7 meters, a width of 10 meters, a draft of 3.1 meters, and a maximum speed of 12 knots. It has an operational range of up to 5,900 nautical miles and is manned by a crew of 67. The ship supports mine countermeasures and is responsible for controlling shallow-water mine sweepers during operations, as well as providing logistical support to mine-hunting vessels.

Operated by Bangkok Dock Company, the HTMS Thalang has served both domestically and internationally within ASEAN for over 37 years. Currently, the ship is in excellent condition and ready to fulfill its assigned missions, demonstrating the capabilities of domestically built vessels and the excellent maintenance by its crew, reflecting the pride and showcasing the capabilities of the Royal Thai Navy to the international community.

During this event, navies from 19 friendly nations will send 26 warships, along with 18 Thai warships, totaling 44 vessels anchored in the Gulf of Thailand. The main activities of the event include:

  • International naval review on November 20, 2017
  • Land parade of international personnel participating in the naval review on November 19, 2017
  • Multinational joint exercises of ASEAN navies on November 14-15 and 21-22, 2017
  • 11th ASEAN Navy Commanders' Meeting

For tourists interested in attending, you can view the event from November 15-18, with services provided by One Trip with Speed Boat, offering cruises to see over 50 international warships around Pattaya Bay, with prices starting from 250-480 baht per person, available from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.