Royal Thai Navy
The Royal Thai Navy (Thai: กองทัพเรือ) is the navy of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. It was established in the late 19th century. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse (1880–1923) is "The Father of Royal Thai Navy". Similar to the organisational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the Naval Fleet, and the Royal Thai Marine Corps. The Royal Thai Navy operates out of Sattahip Naval Base in Sattahip Bay. Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that operates an aircraft carrier, though it is used as a pure helicopter carrier with the retirement of the Harrier fighter wing. Thailand was the 2nd Asian nation to acquire submarines, following Japan; however, no submarines are operated by Thailand currently.
The Royal Thai Navy operates in three Naval Area Commands:
First Naval Area Command: responsible for the Northern part of Gulf of Thailand
Second Naval Area Command: responsible for the Southern part of Gulf of Thailand
Third Naval Area Command: responsible for the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean)
