Beginning from a basic role as a wartime searchlight
unit, the Air Fighting and Coast Guard Unit has evolved into a protector of
Thailand’s 1,500 miles of coastline and consequently of the population and
industries of the Eastern Seaboard.
As an integral part of the nation’s economy as well as
serving as a gateway for worldwide imports and exports, the region in the
event of war would be particularly vulnerable to enemy air and sea attacks.
Admiral
Chaiwat Iamsamut, Commander of the Air and Coastal Defense Command explains
the workings of the old glass used with the searchlight for spotting enemy
airplanes.
The history of the Air Fighting and Coast Guard Unit,
which comes under the Air and Coastal Defense Command, is, however, a brief
one.
Sattahip Naval Base was established when Prince Chumporn
Khet-Udomsak was Chief of Naval Operations. He surveyed the country and
decided that Sattahip Bay was the best strategic location to install a base.
He requested King Rama VI for use of the land, and by dredging the seabed to
make the natural harbor deeper, Sattahip was able to anchor warships. The
Prince arranged the building of a howitzer, a hospital, barracks, a factory,
and a sea-air station.
In 1940, with war brewing, the Royal Thai Navy drew up
plans to protect the base against sea and air attack, but at that time the
air power was lacking. The Air Fighter Unit was established, drawing its
forces from those in service in the warships.
By the end of 1941, the situation was more dangerous,
with war now a reality. The Royal Thai Navy bought eight 150cm searchlights
from Japan. They also bought 20mm machine guns for aircraft fighters to
protect each light. They used four of the searchlights in Bangkok and
another four in Sattahip. However, the lights were not completely effective
as the enemy was able to strike from outside their range.
The “Flashlight Company” had limited ability to
provide air defense, but they increased their capabilities together with the
Coast Guard.
Much later, with Thailand developing into an industrial
nation, the government introduced plans to create industrial areas on the
Eastern and Southern seaboards. The Royal Thai Navy was appointed to provide
air and sea protection for these areas, and expanded its fighting ability.
The Air and Coast Guard Unit was expanded to form the Air and Coastal
Defense Command on August 13, 1990.
Major General Chaiwat Iamsamut, Commander of the Air and
Coastal Defense Command, said this unit has a duty to prepare an air and
coastal defense. The Royal Thai Navy has troopships for deep-sea protection,
and consequently the unit is the last line of defense in the event of a sea
attack on Thai shores.
Amongst the defense facilities is a special unit to
police the sea border, and sea control to support ship operations and to
combat piracy, illegal drugs transportation and other activities that
undermine the country’s stability. There is a unit manning the radar
station to control the water, and aircraft on standby for any necessary
interception action.
Admiral Sampob Amarapal, Commander of the Royal Thai
Navy, said the Air and Coastal Defense Command is efficient in material,
personnel and methods of performance.
In the case of prolonged peace this department cooperates to help the
development of the nation’s economic and human resources, and provides a
public service through a school for drugs treatment. There are three
Agro-Navy schools, which are available to the public and all naval
personnel. The unit has also been playing an important role in the support
of the six Southern provinces that suffered from the tsunami, building homes
for the victims and working at Koh Miang Tsunami Report Center, in Pang-Nga
province.
