ASEAN International Fleet Review to be held in Thailand this month

BANGKOK, Nov 8 (TNA) -- The Royal Thai Navy announced its organisation of the ASEAN International Fleet Review that would feature the parade of 40 warships of Southeast Asian nations in the Pattaya Bay. Navy commander-in-chief Adm Naris Prathumsuwan said the ASEAN International Fleet Review would mark the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the navies of ASEAN members entrusted the Royal Thai Navy to organize the event that would happen in Pattaya and its vicinity. Navy chiefs and representatives from 38 countries would attend the event and 19 of the countries would deploy 26 warships for the parade. They will add to 14 Thai warships and make a total of 40 warships in the parade. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha would preside over the parade on Nov 20. Navy deputy chief Adm Luechai Ruddit said the event included four main activities. They comprise the warship parade, the combined multilateral ASEAN naval exercise off Sattahip district and in the upper part of the Gulf of Thailand on Nov 14-15 and Nov 21-22, the 11th ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting at Dusit Thani Pattaya Hotel on Nov 19, and the parades of military officers attending the event and tourism-related operators on the Pattaya beach road on Nov 19. Other highlights include international boat races, an exhibition on ship technologies, the Air Race 1 World Cup Thailand 2017, a sailboat competition, and a trade fair. Deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said the government considered the ASEAN International Fleet Review as an important event of the nation and a historical moment of the strong ASEAN that was determined to guarantee marine security and cooperation. (TNA)