The Navy spokesperson pointed out Cambodia's military upgrade, emphasizing that Thailand must not lag behind, urging the acceleration of frigate and submarine projects to counterbalance power.
On 10 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyaphan, Navy spokesperson, commented on the situation following Cambodia's Navy training with corvette number 622, delivered from China near Sihanoukville. He said the Navy is not concerned about Cambodia's increasing naval capabilities, as this has been known for some time. However, what the Navy is monitoring is Cambodia's shift from small, old patrol boats to larger, high-performance corvettes, requiring a reassessment.
What we are trying to expedite is acquiring frigates as soon as possible, along with managing the submarine project and contracts that will arrive in the near future, ensuring they proceed according to plan and are deployed quickly to counter the opposing naval forces. I affirm that acquiring frigates is extremely necessary as neighboring countries enhance their military strength.
When asked about assessing Cambodia's naval capabilities, Rear Admiral Parach said that, based on information, Cambodia will receive a total of two corvettes. One has already arrived and is undergoing training, and the second is expected soon. There may be joint operations between the two corvettes, which could increase maritime tensions in the region, particularly in the upper Gulf of Thailand.
The Navy's assessment is that it must not fall further behind. Any delay in future acquisitions could create capability gaps and leave us at a disadvantage, which is something we want to avoid.