24-1-2024 (BANGKOK) The Royal Thai Navy has annulled the tender award for the salvage of the US-built corvette HTMS Sukhothai, initially granted to a firm using Chinese equipment. The decision follows concerns raised by the US and potential implications for military agreements between the two nations.
Adm Adung Phan-iam, Chief of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), ordered the cancellation of the bidding result after discovering that the winning company, identified with the Thai initial “Nor,” could not independently salvage the entire warship, according to a reliable navy source. The firm had quoted 199 million baht for the salvage operation.
The Joint United States Military Advisory Group Thailand (Jusmagthai) issued two warning letters to the RTN in January last year and December, expressing concerns over the salvage of the HTMS Sukhothai. Jusmag oversees US military affairs in Thailand and sought information about the salvage plans, considering the vessel’s status under the US Foreign Military Sales Act, its advanced weapons systems, and the need for end-use monitoring.
The initial winning bidder intended to use equipment from a Chinese firm for the salvage, prompting the US to insist that Thailand adhere to its agreement with Washington. Failure to comply could impact future military sales to Thailand.
Adm Adung reported the situation to Chief of Defence Forces Gen Songwit Noonpackdee, leading to an agreement that the navy would honour the terms of the agreement. Consequently, the RTN scrapped the bidding result and plans to issue fresh tenders for the salvage. The new selection process is expected to take several months, delaying the salvage operation initially scheduled for April this year.
The HTMS Sukhothai sank in a storm in the Gulf of Thailand on December 18, 2022, resulting in the loss of 24 personnel, while five others remain missing and are presumed dead.
