Rear Admiral Parach Ratanachaiyapan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, stated on 25/11 that the aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet had been deployed to support relief efforts in southern provinces facing severe flooding. The vessel departed Sattahip naval base carrying two helicopters, officers, a medical team, a field kitchen, rescue equipment, food, and fresh water.

The HTMS Chakri Naruebet can operate as a floating base for helicopters and drones. It also serves as a "mobile kitchen," capable of preparing about 3,000 meals daily for delivery to isolated areas.

The ship's medical department can convert compartments into a field hospital if needed. The Thai Navy is also preparing to deploy two additional landing ships, HTMS Chang and HTMS Angthong, for support if the situation escalates.

HTMS Chakri Naruebet during an exercise in the Gulf of Thailand in 2001. *Photo: Wikipedia*

The Royal Thai Navy Task Force has also deployed rapid response teams and 14 inflatable boats to rescue residents trapped in areas with strong currents. These teams were transported to the southern region of the country on 25/11 by air force transport aircraft.

The Royal Thai Navy affirmed its commitment to maintaining full operational capacity during this critical phase, remaining on standby to assist residents until conditions improve. The Royal Thai Army also received orders to urgently mobilize equipment and personnel for the rapid evacuation of residents from critical areas in Hat Yai.

Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit visited Hat Yai district, Songkhla province, to inspect the flood situation and monitor rescue coordination among local authorities, the military, police, and volunteer forces.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) of Thailand, this flood event has severely impacted nine southern provinces, affecting 98 districts, 643 communes, and 4,688 villages. In total, over 798,000 households, comprising more than 2,19 million people, have been affected, with at least 13 fatalities reported.

The HTMS Chakri Naruebet is the flagship of the Royal Thai Navy, as well as the country's first and only aircraft carrier. The warship was built in Spain, based on the Principe de Asturias-class design, and commissioned into the Royal Thai Navy in early 1997.

It is currently the smallest operational aircraft carrier in the world. The HTMS Chakri Naruebet measures 182 meters in length, has a displacement of over 11,400 tons, a maximum speed of about 48 km/h, and an operational range exceeding 18,500 km at a cruising speed of 22 km/h. The vessel operates for approximately one day each month, spending the rest of its time docked at Sattahip port for tourist visits. It has been deployed for humanitarian relief missions following previous disasters.

By Thanh Danh (Source: *Nation, Khaosod*)