Rayong - HTMS Prasae

HTMS Prasae is an old warhorse that was retired after 57 years on the high seas.

The vessel is a Tacoma class frigate of second world war design. It was built in the USA as the “USS Gallup 47″ and launched September 17th, 1943. It survived WW2 and the Korean war. Then, in 1951 the vessel was sold to the Royal Thai Navy and renamed HTMS Prasae.

An amazing rust bucket from WW2

After almost 50 years of service, it was decommissioned in year 2000. Three year later, the vessel was towed to the mouth Prasae river in the Klaeng district of Rayong and put “ashore” by means of a temporary canal being constructed.

The vessel is from an era gone by and I found it very interesting to be able to walk around the frigate and get idea of the narrow confines sailors had to fight their battles. There are still guns (or at least gun barrels) children and young-at-heart can use to aim at imaginary enemies.

There is a big area along the vessel and a nice beach for pick nicks. However, the drawback is that the mouth of the Prasae river is a bit difficult to find and next to impossible if you have to rely on public transport.