The Royal Thai Navy anointed its newest patrol boat, the 700-million-baht HTMS Laem Sing.
Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm. Na Areenij presided over the Sept. 21 blessing ceremony at the Sattahip Naval Base. He said the vessel will be part of a new fleet aimed at protecting the coast by air or sea, working closely with the air force.
The boat was designed by Marsan Co. and built by the Naval Dockyard in Thonburi. The same design was used for recently commissioned patrol boats 991 and 994. The new vessel is named after a district in Chanthaburi.
The HTMS Laem Sing is 58 meters long, 9.3 m. wide and has a draft of 5.1 m. It weighs 520 tons and can sail at up to 23 knots. It can carry a crew of up to 53 sailors.
The boat is armed with the 76/62mm OTO Melara, the 30mm MIS and two 50mm guns.
