The Royal Thai Navy has announced the decommissioning of four veteran vessels, including the legendary HTMS Pinklao — recognized as the oldest large naval warship still in active service in the world.
The decision was made due to the advanced wear and the high maintenance costs of the vessels, which had become unsustainable for continued operation. The decommissioning officially took effect on October 1.
Originally built during World War II under the name USS inhibitions (De-746)the ship was designed to escort British convoys against German submarine attacks in the Atlantic. It was later transferred to the Pacific theater, where it served as an anti-submarine warship equipped with sonar and torpedoes.
On July 22, 1959the destroyer was officially transferred to the Royal Thai Navy at the New York Naval Shipyard and renamed HTMS Pinklao in honor of King Rama IV.
For more than six decades, the vessel played a vital role as a training and instructional ship for cadets and petty officers, as well as participating in joint exercises with international forces. According to the official HTMS Pinklao Facebook page, one of the ship’s most symbolic missions was serving as part of the royal barge honor guard at Kalai Place in Hua Hin — residence of the late King Rama IX — who was frequently photographed with the vessel during ceremonial salutes.
With its decommissioning, the world bids farewell to a true naval icon that spanned generations and witnessed profound geopolitical transformations since the post-war era.
Alongside HTMS Pinklao, the ships HTMS Pupk, HTMS Samuiand Htms suriya were also retired.
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Source and images: ThaiPBS | Royal Thai Navy. This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
