Thai Princess launches new royal ship

CHON BURI, December 3 (TNA) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has launched His Thai Majesty's Ship (HTMS) Krabi, built by the Royal Thai Navy, as part of Thailand's grand celebrations nationwide of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 84th birthday on December 5. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the launching ceremony of the HTMS Krabi at the Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard in Sattahip of Thailand's eastern Chon Buri Province on Friday. The newly-built ship will be used for supporting national defence intelligence, enforcing marine laws, protecting fishing trawlers and national marine resources and assisting people encountering difficulties in the sea. The 90.5-metre-long and 13.5-metre-wide HTMS Krabi has the maximum speed of 23 knots with 89 crewmen; while the space of the deck is enough to park a helicopter. (TNA)