RTN prepares for Myanmar evacuation amid conflict

In the face of escalating civil conflict in Myanmar, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has stationed four vessels in the Andaman Sea, ready to facilitate the evacuation of Thai citizens from Myanmar.

The directive came from RTN Chief Admiral Adung Pan-Iam, who has instructed the Region 3 commander to prepare two frigates, HTMS Saiburi and HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan, and two landing ships, HTMS Saiburi and HTMS Mattaphon, for potential evacuation operations.

The ships are primed for immediate action if the confrontation between Myanmar’s government army and resistance forces intensifies, endangering the lives of Thai citizens residing in Myanmar.

Simultaneously, tensions have somewhat calmed along the border between Mae Sot district in Tak province and Myawaddy township, following a recent battle near Sai Yok district in Kanchanaburi province.

According to a Thai security source, approximately 120 resistance fighters seized a government military base after two days of combat, reducing it to ashes. The base was reportedly crewed by a contingent of 20 soldiers. The flames and smoke from the burning base were visible from Thai territory.

The conflict was located in the Dawei area, roughly 10 kilometres away from Ban Thai Muang in the Sai Yok district of Thailand. As of the time of the report, there have been no confirmed reports of casualties or injuries. This situation remains fluid and updates will follow as new information becomes available, reported Bangkok Post.

In related news, the RTN’s frigate procurement plan gets the House Committee’s nod.

The RTN plans for procuring a new frigate received an endorsement from the House of Representatives Committee on the Armed Forces. This move is expected to pave the way for more job opportunities for local labour.

The RTN’s frigate procurement strategy recently encountered a setback when its budget request of 17 billion baht (US$480 million) for the 2024 fiscal year was turned down by a House subcommittee scrutinizing the budget.