Port Blair, May 3: Thailand Naval Ship HTMS Longlom and a Royal Thailand Navy Dornier aircraft arrived at Port Blair on 30 May 10 to participate in the closing ceremony of 12th Cycle of the India – Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai Corpat) a biannual event. Present cycle commenced on 25 Apr 11 in the Andaman Sea. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tarasa of ANC escorted the Thai ship into Port Blair after conducting joint patrolling in the Andaman Sea.
INS Tarasa, Indian Navy Dornier and RTMS Longlom alongwith the Dornier of Royal Thai Navy had carried out patrolling in the Andaman Sea on respective sides of the International Boundary Line from 25 – 30 Apr 11 during the CORPAT. Both ships and aircrafts monitored merchant ships, trawlers and fishing traffic in the area, carried out interrogation of suspect vessels and exchanged other important information. Cross embarkation of officers and sailors from both the navies was undertaken to have a better understanding of operations and procedures.
Vice Admiral Choom Noom Ardwong, Commander 3rd Naval Area also visited Port Blair from 01 to 02 May 11 for the Closing Ceremony. The Admiral was briefed about the Andaman & Nicobar Islands at the Headquarters Andaman & Nicobar Command by Colonel Deepak Saini. The Admiral also held discussions with the Lt Gen NC Marwah, AVSM Commander-in-Chief Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN). Senior officers of Thailand Navy, the Commanding Officer of HTMS Longlom and Captain of the RTN Dornier aircraft called on the CINCAN as well as the Naval Officer-in-Charge (A&N).
The first such CORPAT with the Royal Thailand Navy was held in 2006. Series of Coordinated Patrols with the Thai Navy have resulted in enhanced mutual confidence levels between the two Navies in particular and Defence Forces in general.
During the ship’s stay at Port Blair from 30 Apr - 03 May, the officers and crew of the Thailand ship interacted professionally as well as socially with senior officers and staff at the Naval Component and the Headquarters Andaman & Nicobar Command. In addition, they also availed the opportunity to do some local sight-seeing as well as indulge in friendly sports and games. The Royal Thai Navy ship alongwith the aircraft departed Port Blair on 03 May 11.
During the ship’s stay at Port Blair from 30 Apr - 03 May, the officers and crew of the Thailand ship interacted professionally as well as socially with senior officers and staff at the Naval Component and the Headquarters Andaman & Nicobar Command. In addition, they also availed the opportunity to do some local sight-seeing as well as indulge in friendly sports and games. The Royal Thai Navy ship alongwith the aircraft departed Port Blair on 03 May 11.