Thailand | Republic Coast Guard Routine Operation

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Title: Republic Coast Guard Routine Operation
Document Number: RTAF-RCGRO-001/2005
Classification: Semi-Confidential | Secret
Security Level: NSST 1.0 Architecture
Date: January 2, 2006
Public Section: I. | II.
Secure Information and Intelligence Sharing: Empire of France (Alexander)

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XI. IntroductionX

Background and Objective

The Republic Thai Coast Guard (RTCG), a division of the Republic Thai Navy, is tasked with ensuring maritime security, conducting search and rescue operations, and enforcing maritime law within Thailand’s jurisdiction, as delineated under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In light of persistent external threats to Thailand’s maritime interests—chiefly the safeguarding of a democratic, free, equitable, just, and humane society—the RTCG serves as the vanguard of Thailand’s maritime boundary defense and surveillance efforts.

As one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most capable coast guard forces, the RTCG is mandated to maintain an operational presence through the deployment of at least 30 inshore patrol vessels across Thailand’s internal water, territorial waters, and contiguous zone. Currently, the RTCG operates a fleet of thirty T.991-class patrol boats, supported by a complement of 870 sailors and an additional 90 marines. These vessels are fully equipped for combat and capable of executing low-intensity operations against non-state actors that pose a threat to Thailand’s maritime interests.

In adherence to the Ministry of Defense’s directive on operational transparency, Thai citizens, legal residents, and tourists entering the country through lawful means are permitted to participate in a ten-day mission aboard RTCG vessel before their return to homeport. This initiative is designed to ensure that non-sensitive military operations remain open to public scrutiny and foster greater understanding of RTCG activities. Participants receive operational and technical education on approved topics, reinforcing the principle that RTCG operations are conducted in alignment with the collective will and interests of the Thai people.

XII. Command and ControlX

2.1 Guidance

The Republic Coast Guard Routine Operation is led by Admiral Kamontat Pipattanakul, the Commander-in-Chief of the Republic Thai Coast Guard. Under his leadership, the operation adheres to a structured command hierarchy that emphasizes civilian oversight. The Ministry of Defense retains full control over all operational directives and decisions, ensuring alignment with national defense strategies. The Coast Guard executes its missions within the operational limits set by civilian authorities, reflecting the principles of democratic governance. Furthermore, the National Assembly Joint Defense Committee maintains supreme authority over the operation, providing oversight to uphold accountability and effectiveness in safeguarding Thailand's maritime interests.

XIII. Operational ForcesX

Republic Thai Coast Guard

• People's Patrol Squadron One (PS1)
  • [6] T.991-class IPV
    • 174 Crews
    • 18 Marines
• People's Patrol Squadron Two (PS2)
  • [6] T.991-class IPV
    • 174 Crews
    • 18 Marines
• People's Patrol Squadron Three (PS3)
  • [6] T.991-class IPV
    • 174 Crews
    • 18 Marines
• People's Patrol Squadron Four (PS4)
  • [6] T.991-class IPV
    • 174 Crews
    • 18 Marines
• People's Patrol Squadron Five (PS5)
  • [6] T.991-class IPV
    • 174 Crews
    • 18 Marines

XIV. ExecutionX

4.1 Initial Deployment

All personnel must report to their respective base with all required equipment as outlined in the Defense Ministry documents. This includes ensuring all personal gear, mission-specific tools, and communication devices are in operational condition. Fuel and supplies for equipment, including vehicles, ships, or aircraft, must be fully stocked and checked for any issues. Personnel are expected to maintain readiness to deploy upon arrival. Routine inspections and safety protocols will be strictly enforced. Adherence to these directives is essential for ensuring the success of the mission and overall operational effectiveness in the current situation.

4.2 Communication

Effective communication among all units is paramount and must be maintained through the use of secure communication channels. Any unidentified or suspicious activity must be immediately reported to the command center, except in situations where such actions are deemed non-ideal or potentially detrimental. In these cases, all units and personnel, who are thoroughly trained and well-versed in operational protocols, must exercise their best judgment in handling the situation. All personnel have undergone rigorous training to ensure flawless communication protocols are followed within and between units. This training emphasizes excellence in both verbal and non-verbal information conveyance, ensuring that all communications are clear, concise, and secure.

4.3 Rules of Engagement

Engagement will be per the established Rule of Engagement (ROE) with the application of Increased Vigilance (IVG) and international laws. The use of force must be proportionate and only used in self-defense or to deter identified threats after all non-lethal methods have been exhausted. They would never enter any country's territorial water

4.4 Support

Logistic support, including fuel, supplies, and maintenance, will be provided by the respective naval bases. Each marine is equipped with lightweight, waterproof body armor with maximum resistance against ballistic threats and corrosion from saltwater. The armor also provides buoyancy support, aiding survival in water. The standard issue firearm for naval personnel is the Heckler & Koch HK416 rifle fitted with accessory rails for attachments like tactical lights and optical sights. The Sig Sauer P226, used as the sidearm and personnel are also equipped with a variety of munitions including fragmentation, smoke, and flash grenades. Naval personnel are issued advanced, encrypted tactical radios and maritime GPS systems that maintain their functionality even in the harshest sea conditions. The GPS systems are equipped with maritime charts and include features for weather forecasts and sea current patterns to aid in navigation.

Navy personnel are issued a range of specialized equipment based on their assignments, which also includes state-of-the-art diving gear equipped with rebreathers for extended underwater operations. Each sailor is provided with a personal first aid kit that includes advanced medical supplies such as saline solution for hydration, sea sickness tablets, and sunburn treatments. Each member also has access to personal comprehensive survival kit that includes items like life rafts, signal flares, long-life water and food rations, fishing kits, and solar stills for desalination of seawater. Navy personnel also carry technical equipment such as multi-function watches with depth meters and compasses, handheld sonar devices for detecting underwater obstacles, and laser range finders for accurate distance measurements.

XV. CoordinationX

5.1 Inter-agency

Inter-agency communication between the Republic Thai Navy and other elements of the Republic Thai Armed Forces will be rigorously upheld, prioritizing security measures at all times. Liaison channels facilitating communication and information sharing between these agencies are established and overseen by the Republic Thai Armed Forces Headquarters. Integral to this communication infrastructure are the Tactical Power Display (TPD), Situation Awareness Display (SAD), and Maritime Awareness Display (MAD), all seamlessly integrated into the coordination and communication systems of all units involved. The comprehensive situational awareness and operational effectiveness across both land and maritime domains are ensured in this deployment and operation with undisturbed consistency.

5.2 International

Any decision to coordinate with foreign entities, whether at an informal or official level, must be promptly reported back to Headquarters for immediate deliberation in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Any individuals not directly involved in the operation must be regarded with the highest level of scrutiny by both organizational and governmental authorities. Additionally, any interactions with foreign units must be conducted with appropriate response.

XVI. ConclusionX

The Republic Coast Guard Routine Operation is now fully operational. All necessary resources have been deployed by the Defense Ministry. This operation demonstrates Thailand's commitment to maritime security and its role as a global leader. The mission will focus on protecting Thailand's internal water, territorial waters, and contiguous zone while upholding principles of peace, stability, and international cooperation. Regular updates will be provided to relevant authorities as the operation progresses.

[Signature]
Sutin Klungsang
Defence Minister

[Signature]
Thaksin Shinawatra
Prime Minister, Socialist Republic of Thailand

Document Clearance:
The Office of the Prime Minister
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The National Intelligence Agency
The Republic Thai Air Force Command Center
The Republic Thai Navy Command Center
The Republic Thai Armed Forces Special Warfare & Operation Command

Distribution List:
The Office of the Prime Minister
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The National Intelligence Agency
The Republic Thai Air Force Command Center
The Republic Thai Navy Command Center
The Republic Thai Police
The Republic Armed Forces Headquarters
The Republic Thai Air Defense Command
The Naval Special Warfare Command
The Air Force Security Force Command
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T.991 IPV Specification

Secret and Encrypted
T.991 IPV Specification
Class and type: T.991 Inshore Patrol Vessel
Displacement: 185 long tons (207 t) full load
Length: 6.49 m (21 ft)
Beam: 11.6 m (38 ft 3.5 in)
Draft: 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
Propulsion:

• Main Engines: 2 MTU 16 V 4000 M90 engines, each with 2,720 kW
• Diesel Generators: 2 MTU generators, each providing 140 kW
• Reduction Gears: 2 ZF model ZF 7550 gear units
• Propeller Shafts and Propellers: 2 sets by Wartsila

Speed: 29 knots (53.7 km/h; 33.4 mph)
Range: 1,500 nmi (2,778 km; 1,726mi)
Continuous Operation: At least 7 days
Complement: 29 personnel
Crew: 3 Marines
Sensors and processing systems:

• 1 × Sperry Marine BridgeMaster E
• 1 × Furuno
• Optoelectronic Fire Control System: 1 × Thales Mirador

Communication system: Hagenuk Marinekommunikation

Armament:

• 2 × MSI-DSL/ATK DS30MR Mk 44, 30mm/70 caliber, single-mount with 150 rounds mix of MK266 HEI-T and MK310 PABM-T ammunition each.
• 2 × U.S. Ordnance M2HB, .50 caliber, single-mount with 750 rounds mix of HEIAP and API ammunition each

 

[Bossza007]

Secret and Encrypted unless contextually possible. | NSST 1.0 Architecture​

Naval crews and embarked marines were in peak operational readiness, benefiting from structured rest cycles, optimized nutrition, and comprehensive stress management programs. Regular training exercises had honed their proficiency in maritime interdiction, boarding operations, counterterrorism, medical evacuation, and multinational coordination. Additionally, personnel received instruction in cross-cultural communication to ensure seamless interoperability with allied forces.

All deployed vessels were fully mission-capable, with navigation, propulsion, and weapons systems maintained at optimal performance levels. Redundancy was integrated into critical systems to mitigate failure risks. Logistical provisions—including munitions, fuel, food, water, and spare parts—were stockpiled to sustain a continuous ten-day deployment without external resupply. Radar arrays and encrypted communication networks were fully functional. The Republic Coast Guard had established predefined resupply points, secured refueling agreements, and implemented emergency docking protocols.

Operational engagement was governed by a clearly articulated, legally sound, and universally recognized rules of engagement (ROE) framework that balanced force protection, mission objectives, and de-escalation imperatives. Maritime assets were authorized to employ force as a deterrent and to neutralize verified threats to regional security. All engagements required strict adherence to minimizing collateral damage and civilian harm. Preemptive action against potential maritime threats necessitated authorization from higher command. Marines were instructed to exhaust all non-lethal countermeasures before applying force, ensuring proportionality in all responses. In cases of confirmed hostile intent, direct engagement was permitted to neutralize threats, while preemptive assaults required explicit approval from senior command authority.

Each vessel was tasked with patrolling Thailand’s internal water, territorial waters, and contiguous zones, strategically spaced through intra-agency coordination to ensure comprehensive coverage. The operation commenced with a phased deployment schedule, designed to maintain an uninterrupted presence. Over a six-day period, each People’s Patrol Squadron would deploy six T.991-class Patrol Boats, with one vessel departing from the naval base daily until the full complement was operational. Following a ten-day mission cycle, each vessel would return to its homeport for crew rotation, necessary maintenance, and resupply. On the same day, the vessel would redeploy to resume its patrol mission. This rotational cycle would continue indefinitely until formally suspended.

In the event of an emergency—such as unexpected supply depletion or early indications of mechanical failure—vessels were authorized and instructed to return to their homeport immediately. Crews maintained constant vigilance by monitoring public radio broadcast channels for emergency communications within Thailand’s jurisdiction. While the personnel aboard each patrol vessel remained in a state of high readiness to respond to emergent situations, they also adhered to a structured daily regimen that balanced operational preparedness with emotional well-being, ensuring sustained peak performance.​