TRAT, Nov 23 – The Thai navy’s HTMS Chang was sunk in the sea off Koh Chang in this eastern seaboard province as an artificial reef and diving attraction, according to the Royal Thai Navy.
Vice Adm Rungsak Serisawat, First Region Navy Commander, said the warship was lowered into the sea near Bangbao Bay on the south of Koh Chang on Thursday. The event was witnessed by government officials, Thai and foreign tourists and provincial residents.
HTMS Chang (the elephant) will become an artificial reef for marine life breeding and a diving attraction for tourists.
The vessel, built in the US in 1944, had served as a warship in the Asia-Pacific region during WW II. It was delivered to Thailand in 1962 and served the RTN for 43 years until 2005.
