The Royal Thai Navy welcomed their new multi-purpose landing ship, the HTMS Chang, on April 25th, 2023. Admiral Choengchai Chomchoengphaet, Navy Commander, presided over the ceremony at Chuk Samet Port, Sattahip Naval Base, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province. Senior military officers, navy officers, and families of naval personnel were present for the event.
The HTMS Chang is a large multi-purpose amphibious ship built by the China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd at Hutong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. The ship is an improved version of the LPD Type 071 ships used by the Chinese Navy and took four years to build.
The Royal Thai Navy is in need of more multi-purpose landing ships to align with their strategic goals. The HTMS Chang will be used for amphibious operations, transportation, and conveying, as well as serving as a command ship. It is also equipped to support submarine operations, disaster assistance and relief (HADR), civil evacuation, and counter-terrorism at sea and ports.
The HTMS Chang is 210 meters long, 28 meters wide, and 7 meters deep, with a displacement of 25,000 tons and a maximum speed of 25 knots. The ship can carry a total of 196 personnel, and its two vehicle decks can carry up to 16 amphibious vehicles or wheeled armored vehicles. It also has floating docks that can carry up to 6 medium launched vehicles or small launched boats, 9 aircraft or amphibious vehicles, and 57 aircraft or air cushioned vehicles. The ship is commanded by Capt. Teerasarn Kongman.
The ceremony included a speech from the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy and a visit to the ship by the guest of honor, Assistant Foreign Military Attaché to Thailand. The ship is named after Koh Chang, Trat Province, in accordance with the Royal Thai Navy’s rules for naming battleships by type of ship.
