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Sattahip, Royal Thai Navy flagship, HTMS Chakri Naruebet	Tuesday 27th November Sattahip……..It’s a short drive now to Sattahip the base for the Royal Thai Navy. I’m hoping to get a view of a piece of hardware, their pride and joy. As I near the base I can see it’s no Portsmouth but I’m well in luck. At a checkpoint permission is granted for entry to the quayside and right ahead is the navy’s first and only carrier and flagship HTMS Chakri Naruebet (911). At 11,486 tons and 538 ft long it certainly looks impressive and although the navy is known for its open approach to its nationals, its hospitality does not extend to farang (foreigners). However I’m free to take photographs from the quay not only of the carrier but two frigates and an auxiliary. The frigates are the former Knox class vessels decommissioned from the US Navy. HTMS Phutthayotfa Chulalok (FFG 461), decommissioned in 1994, was purchased in 1999 while HTMS Phutthaloetla Naphalai (FFG 462), decommissioned in 1993, arrived in Thailand in 1998 after an extensive refit. The frigates received the names of former King’s of the Chakri dynasty, Rama I and II respectively. Also in dock is the fleet auxiliary Similan (871). It’s been a tiring day but well worthwhile so it’s very simple refreshment in the evening and time to consider options for the next day. Wednesday 28th November The train arriving……..Today is the annual Loi Krathong festival celebrated throughout the region. To conserve my energies for later I make no plans for the morning. A spell of r and r is in order but my attention turns to my return to Bangkok the following day. At midday I venture out heading for the train station. Although I am already aware of the timetable my interest and curiosity leads me there. I wait for the 14.21 train to Bangkok a sort of dress rehearsal for tomorrow. Curiously I find peace and tranquility on my arrival at the station but a few passenger begin to arrive. The platform however remains virtually deserted on account of a tropical storm. I’m relieved I did not make ambitious plans for today. Soon the locomotive appears out of the gloom collects its passengers and is away. I ponder the viability of a station that receives only one train from Bangkok per day arriving in the morning seeing it return in the afternoon. (Cont. on Page 4)
Photo Gallery Vocabulary Chi haad - beach Roht bus - bus Roht too - minivan Sa-ta-nee roht fi - train station Songtheaw - local transport truck

Tuesday 27th November

Sattahip……..It’s a short drive now to Sattahip the base for the Royal Thai Navy. I’m hoping to get a view of a piece of hardware, their pride and joy. As I near the base I can see it’s no Portsmouth but I’m well in luck. At a checkpoint permission is granted for entry to the quayside and right ahead is the navy’s first and only carrier and flagship HTMS Chakri Naruebet (911). At 11,486 tons and 538 ft long it certainly looks impressive and although the navy is known for its open approach to its nationals, its hospitality does not extend to farang (foreigners). However I’m free to take photographs from the quay not only of the carrier but two frigates and an auxiliary. The frigates are the former Knox class vessels decommissioned from the US Navy. HTMS Phutthayotfa Chulalok (FFG 461), decommissioned in 1994, was purchased in 1999 while HTMS Phutthaloetla Naphalai (FFG 462), decommissioned in 1993, arrived in Thailand in 1998 after an extensive refit. The frigates received the names of former King’s of the Chakri dynasty, Rama I and II respectively. Also in dock is the fleet auxiliary Similan (871).
It’s been a tiring day but well worthwhile so it’s very simple refreshment in the evening and time to consider options for the next day.

Wednesday 28th November

The train arriving……..Today is the annual Loi Krathong festival celebrated throughout the region. To conserve my energies for later I make no plans for the morning. A spell of r and r is in order but my attention turns to my return to Bangkok the following day. At midday I venture out heading for the train station. Although I am already aware of the timetable my interest and curiosity leads me there. I wait for the 14.21 train to Bangkok a sort of dress rehearsal for tomorrow. Curiously I find peace and tranquility on my arrival at the station but a few passenger begin to arrive. The platform however remains virtually deserted on account of a tropical storm. I’m relieved I did not make ambitious plans for today. Soon the locomotive appears out of the gloom collects its passengers and is away. I ponder the viability of a station that receives only one train from Bangkok per day arriving in the morning seeing it return in the afternoon. (Cont. on Page 4)