HTMS Maeklong

HTMS Maeklong is a Thai Tachin class sloop built at Uraga dockyard, Japan.

 From the text "Thai commissioners visited the building of HTMS Tachin and HTMS Maeklong at Uraga Dockyard, Yokosuka, Japan 1936.

4.7 inches front turrets on Jan.2, 2011.

Aft 4.7 turret gun. 

HTMS Tachin and HTMS Maeklong at receiving ceremony at Uraga Dockyard on June 19, 1937.

HTMS Tachin and HTMS Maeklong, commissioning ceremony at Rajavaradit dock, Bangkok 

Sept.26, 1937.    

HTMS Maeklong anchored in Maeklong river, ship ceremony, Feb.3-6, 1938

Maeklong and Tachin.

Maeklong "แม่กลอง".

Thai garuda.

Looking up to control bridge.

 controlling wheel in good condition.

IJN torpodo (finding out it's type)

Depth charges launcher.

Mines railing.

HTMS Chumporn

HTMS Chumporn, Trad class Thai torpedo boat.(Image source:www.tongtomyai.com).

HTMS Cholburi

HTMS Cholburi at launching, Trieste, Italy.

HTMS Songkla

HTMS Songkla at launching ,Trieste, Italy.

Some of the HTMS Songkla's crew who survived the sinking.

Trad Class torpedo boat

Thai torpedo boat, Trad Class built in Monfalcone shipyard,Trieste, Italy. In this american manual it should be HTMS Chantaburi(จ.บ.) with the old number "11" HTMS Trad.

The number and the abbreviated name was all erased during Franco-Thai conflict(source: http://www.navy.mi.th in Thai language). So if any French source claimed that some observer had seen the number "11", HTMS Trad in the Koh Chang battle, it's totally wrong.

Trad class torpedo boat, from this picture, it should be at Italy.

"ปัตตานี" is HTMS Pattani. 

"สุราษฎร์" is HTMS Surasdra(Surat).

Trad class boats were name after Thai coastal provinces. Thai navy called these ships "large torpedo boat".

There were 9 ships.Before 1940, there use old number and abbriviation paint on the hull. During Franco-Thai Conflict, all number and abbriviated name were erased.

1. HTMS Trad "ตราด", abbriviated "ต.ด.", prewar number "5" around 1937-1940 change to "11"
2. HTMS Phuket "ภูเก็ต", abbriviated unknown, prewar number "6" around 1937-1940 change to"12"
3. HTMS Pattani "ปัตตานี", abbriviated "ป.น.", prewar number "13"
4. HTMS Surasdra "สุราษฎร์", abbriviated "ส.น.", prewar number "21"
5. HTMS Chandaburi "จันทบุรี", abbriviated "จ.บ.", prewar number "22"
6. HTMS Rayong "ระยอง", abbriviated "ร.ย.", prewar number "23"
7. HTMS Chumporn "ชุมพร", abbriviated "ช.พ.", prewar number "31"
8. HTMS Cholburi "ชลบุรี", abbriviated "ช.บ.", prewar number "32"
9. HTMS Songkla "สงขลา", abbriviated unknown, prewar number "33"

HTMS Matchanu Class Submariners trained in Japan

In 1937, Royal Thai(Siamese) Navy, had sent  118 seamen to be trained to be submariners by Imperial Japanese submariners. Captain Yatsushiro Sukeyoshi, former CO. of IJN Tatsuta, light cruiser, was a chief instructor.

The first shift departed Bangkok by Japanese transport "Nachisan Maru" on May 31,1936. 

Arrived at Kobe, June 12,1936.

The first shift about 40 men and officers.

Thai submariners stayed at Funabashi Middle School, Tokyo from June,13 to October 25, 1936.

 Maybe the first seminar.

Thais in Kendo training.

Trained for gymnastics.

Both navy ensign at Funabashi school.

Captain Yatsushiro Sukeyoshi (later Rear Admiral), Chief instructor for Thai submariner, died in WWII at Kwajalein Atoll by bomb hit from USS Enterprise's air strike, February 1,1942. 

Japanese language instructor.

Infantry(marine) class at Funabashi.

Thai seamen visited IJN Mikasa on September 15,1936.

Goodbye ceremony, October 22, 1936.

Leaving Funabashi for catching Kobe train in Tokyo, October 25,1936.
Arrived Kobe on the next day.

Thai submariners house at Mitsubishi Dockyard, Kobe

Inside.

 Thai officer on study.

"nice and easy" time.

Submarine technical class.

Lunch at Kobe.

Physical inspection.

Japanese military instructor.

1.Captain Yatsushiro, commanding officer.

2. Lt.commander Goto, executive officer.

3. Lt.commander Murazumi, chief engineer.

4.Lieutenant Shimada, deputy engineer.

5.Sub-lieutenant Hasegawa, boatswain.

6.Another 17 petty officers.

IJN submarine Ro-64 for Thai submariner training.

Japanese and Thai submariners.