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overwhelmingly demonstrates Thailand’s have gained more prestige and respect from
prestige and honor in the global community the global community. It is recommended that
for such successful operation which could the RTN should negotiate with the government
regard the RTN as a leading navy because and convince decision-makers in the national

it shows the RTN capability to cooperate with administrative level to see national benefits
the global community in the protection of as a part of national maritime security strategy
global maritime interests. In the middle of and foreign policy. However, to reduce the
2011, the RTN had sent the similar Piracy national cost of operations and make it better
Suppression Task Unit to the Gulf of Aden off continuation, in this case, it is recommended
the Somali coast for 140 days for the second that the RTN should initiate and negotiate with
time to continue the operation. It protected ASEAN member states to establish the ASEAN

approximately 830 merchant ships and trawlers Piracy Suppression Joint Task Unit or Task
from piracy. In 2012, the RTN took command Group if it is possible. To do so, it would gain
of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMP) for many advantages such as the joint operation
the first time which consisted of multinational practice and interoperability of the ASEAN
naval staffs included Thai naval staffs embarked navies, the development of standard operating
aboard the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Fort procedures among ASEAN navies, then the
Victoria (A387). The CMP operates over the increasing trust and confidence among ASEAN
Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) established member states, and a good image of the
by the United States Fifth Fleet headquarters ASEAN navy as a whole that certainly would

in Bahrain in 2009 as it is more convenient to show a leading role of the RTN.
get a logistic supply during the operation. Its The RTN initiative on the first ASEAN
mandate and legitimacy are given according Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX) which took
to the 1982 UNCLOS as well as the UN Security place in and around Sattahip Naval Base as a
Council Resolution 1838 calling for nations part of the International Fleet Review in late
with vessels in the area to apply military force 2017 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
to suppress the acts of piracy. Unfortunately, ASEAN establishment, which was hosted by

the RTN could not sustain the operation in the Thailand, has developed maritime opera-
following year because it lacks additional annual tional capability of the ASEAN navies from
budget from the government. Hence, a delegate basic to advanced multinational level. It has
of staffs and commanding officers has been also increased readiness and interoperability
sent instead from time to time. Had the RTN considerably. In addition, it has strengthened
sent the task unit continuously, the RTN would the ASEAN Political and Security Community

48 นาวิกศาสตร์ ปีที่ ๑๐๑ เล่มที่ ๖ มิถุนายน ๒๕๖๑

preparation 14 ���� (25 ��.�.61).indd 48 6/25/2561 BE 3:24 PM