Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron Concludes Successful Visit to Phuket, Thailand

Phuket: The visit of the First Training Squadron (1TS), comprising INS Sujata, INS Shardul, and ICGS Veera, to Phuket Deep Sea Port, Thailand, concluded successfully with a series of coordinated tactical maneuvers and a PASSEX (passing exercise) with the Royal Thai Navy’s HTMS Huahin on March 4. The visit strengthened the ties between the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), marked by several professional exchanges and collaborative activities.

During their stay at the harbor, the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy engaged in a variety of bilateral activities aimed at enhancing their cooperation and improving operational synergy. These included training visits, professional exchanges, and social interactions that highlighted the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two forces.

Captain Anshul Kishore, Senior Officer of 1TS, along with the commanding officers of INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and ICGS Veera, paid a courtesy call to Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakul, Commander of the 3rd Naval Area Command of Thailand. The discussions during the meeting focused on regional security issues, opportunities for joint training exercises, and potential goodwill activities to further enhance the relationship between the Indian Navy and the RTN.

In addition to the professional engagements, the 1TS crew interacted with their Thai counterparts through visits to the 3rd Naval Area Command, Phangna Naval Port, and HTMS Krabi. These visits provided valuable opportunities for training interactions and the sharing of best practices between the two navies. Furthermore, a guided tour of the 1TS ships was organized, where schoolchildren, RTN personnel, and members of the Indian diaspora were invited onboard.

The visit also featured a series of cultural and social exchanges, including a combined yoga session and friendly sports fixtures between the Indian and Thai naval personnel. One of the highlights of the visit was an Indian Naval band concert at Patong Beach, which attracted a large crowd of tourists and locals. The musical performance was well-received, further fostering goodwill between the two nations.

An onboard reception was co-hosted by the Indian Embassy and Captain Anshul Kishore, Senior Officer of 1TS. The event saw the participation of senior leadership from the Royal Thai Navy, esteemed members of the Indian diaspora, diplomats, and other distinguished guests, cementing the growing camaraderie between India and Thailand.