Chakri Naruebet

   The Chakri Naruebet (The Great of the Chakri Dynasty) is the newest and most powerful warship of the Royal Thai navy, which otherwise comprises a dozen frigates and a similar number of corvettes and fast attack craft plus  amphibious forces. The ship is the first aircraft carrier to be operated by a country in Southeast Asia. Built at Ferrol in Spain by the Bazan company, the vessel was laid down on 12 July 1994 and launched on 20 January 1996. Sea trials began in October 1996 and the ship spent the first months of 1997 working up with the Spanish fleet (Chakri Naruebet is very similar to the Spanish Principe de Asturias).

   Arriving in Thailand in August 1997 the vessel is in active service with the Third Naval Area command and its home port is Rayong. However, the planned primary anti-aircraft armament (a Mk 41 LCHR 8-cell VLS launcher for Sea Sparrow missiles and four Vulcan Phalanx CIWS mountings) has not been installed, leaving the vessel protected by just Mistral infra-red homing missiles with a maximum range of 4 000 m (4 375 yards). The Chakri Naruebet makes few operational sorties, and when it does put to sea it is usually to carry members of the Thai Royal family. The vessel is therefore to be regarded less as a V/STOL amphibious warfare capable carrier and more as the most expensive royal yacht afloat.