20-1-2024 (BANGOK) The United States has issued a warning to the Royal Thai Navy regarding the reported participation of a Chinese company in the plan to salvage the US-built corvette HTMS Sukhothai. Details of this caution were disclosed in correspondence unveiled by Chayaphon Satondee, a Move Forward Party MP for Bangkok, who is a member of the House committee reviewing the 2024 budget bill.
According to Mr Chayaphon, the document from the Joint United States Military Advisory Group Thailand (Jusmagthai) noted that the Thai navy had not yet addressed US concerns since the ship sank in the Gulf of Thailand on December 18, 2022. The incident resulted in the loss of 24 crew members, with five others missing and presumed dead.
Jusmagthai, responsible for overseeing US military affairs in Thailand, initially contacted the navy a month after the Sukhothai’s sinking, seeking information on recovery plans for the ship commissioned in 1987. Having received no response, the group sent a follow-up letter on December 1 last year, as quoted by Mr Chayaphon.
The second letter urged the navy to adhere to its agreement with the US, particularly after reports indicated that a Thai contractor, in collaboration with a Chinese partner, would be selected for the salvage operation.
Mr Chayaphon emphasized that, in the case of a salvage operation involving a US-built vessel, the navy is obligated to seek approval from the US government for the chosen contractor.
Jusmagthai warned the navy that a failure to do so would be regarded as a violation of agreements affecting foreign military sales between Thailand and the US.
Adm Adung Phan-iam, the navy commander, mentioned that they are currently determining the appropriate course of action.
“If the US participates in the salvage operation, it may potentially delay the operation from its original schedule set in April,” stated an anonymous source familiar with the matter.
The navy has identified a bid winner for the salvage operation, with a budget allocation of 199 million baht pending approval.
