Captain Somchai still remembers the day he first saw Thailand’s mighty aircraft carrier gleaming in the shipyard. It was 1997, and he was a young naval officer filled with pride watching the HTMS Chakri Naruebet arrive from Spain. “We thought we were joining the big leagues,” he recalls with a wistful smile. “Finally, Thailand would have real naval power.”
Today, that same officer shakes his head as he watches the massive ship sit motionless at dock, its flight deck eerily quiet. What was supposed to be Thailand’s crown jewel has become one of the most expensive mistakes in Southeast Asian military history.
The aircraft carrier Thailand purchased for what equals €667 million today stands as a monument to ambitious dreams that crashed into harsh reality.
When Thailand Dreamed of Naval Dominance
Back in the early 1990s, Thailand was riding high on an economic boom. Money was flowing, the country was growing fast, and regional tensions were making headlines. Thai leaders looked around and saw neighboring countries building up their militaries.
“Thailand wanted to punch above its weight,” explains former defense analyst Dr. Siriporn Thaksin. “An aircraft carrier wasn’t just about military capability – it was about prestige and regional influence.”
The government turned to Spain’s Bazán shipyard, ordering a scaled-down version of the Spanish carrier Príncipe de Asturias. At $300 million in 1992 dollars, it seemed like a bargain for joining an exclusive club of nations with carrier capabilities.
The HTMS Chakri Naruebet was delivered in 1997 with second-hand AV-8S Matador jets – vertical takeoff fighters that could operate from the ship’s short deck. For a brief moment, Thailand truly was the only Southeast Asian nation operating an aircraft carrier.
The Numbers Behind Thailand’s Naval White Elephant
Looking at the specifications, Thailand’s aircraft carrier seemed impressive on paper. But the devil was in the operational details that would soon haunt the Thai Navy.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 183 meters |
| Top Speed | 25.5 knots |
| Range | 13,000 kilometers |
| Crew Capacity | 600 personnel |
| Original Cost | $300 million (1992) |
| Inflation-Adjusted Cost | €667 million today |
| Aircraft Capacity | 12 fixed-wing + 6 helicopters |
The problems started almost immediately after delivery:
- Spare parts for the aging Harrier jets were extremely expensive and difficult to source
- Pilot training required sending Thai officers to Spain and the UK at enormous cost
- Fuel consumption was massive – the ship burned through Thailand’s naval fuel budget in weeks
- Maintenance required specialized facilities and foreign technicians
- Annual operating costs exceeded the entire Thai Navy’s previous budget
“Nobody calculated the total cost of ownership,” admits retired Admiral Prasert Wongkul. “We focused on the purchase price and ignored decades of operational expenses.”
How Dreams Turned Into Floating Embarrassment
By the early 2000s, reality had set in hard. Thailand’s economic miracle had ended with the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, leaving the government with tight budgets and competing priorities.
The carrier’s fighter jets were the first casualty. Maintenance costs for the aging Harriers became unbearable. One by one, they were grounded due to lack of parts or failed inspections. By 2006, Thailand had effectively no operational carrier-based fighters.
The ship itself fared little better. Instead of patrolling Southeast Asian waters as intended, the Chakri Naruebet spent most of its time tied up at Sattahip Naval Base. When it did venture out, missions were typically short ceremonial cruises or disaster relief operations.
“It became a very expensive hospital ship and royal yacht,” jokes one current Thai Navy officer who requested anonymity. “We’d take it out when foreign dignitaries visited or when there were floods to help with evacuations.”
The irony wasn’t lost on regional observers. Thailand had spent massive sums to build the region’s only aircraft carrier, only to operate it like an oversized coast guard cutter.
What This Means for Thailand’s Military Future
The Chakri Naruebet’s story offers harsh lessons for any country considering major military purchases. The initial sticker price is often just the beginning of a financial commitment that can last decades.
For Thailand specifically, the carrier has tied up resources that could have been used for more practical defense needs. The country faces real security challenges from drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and border tensions – none of which require a aircraft carrier to solve.
“That €667 million could have bought dozens of patrol boats, upgraded radar systems, or improved training facilities,” notes Bangkok-based defense expert Colonel Manit Seedokmai. “Instead, we have one giant ship that mostly sits in port.”
The financial drain continues today. Even in its reduced role, the carrier requires millions in annual maintenance, crew salaries, and port fees. Thailand has explored selling it, but few countries want a 25-year-old carrier with no functioning aircraft.
Regional neighbors have watched Thailand’s carrier experiment with interest – and learned from its mistakes. Countries like Vietnam and Indonesia have focused on smaller, more practical naval vessels rather than prestige projects.
Lessons From Southeast Asia’s Lonely Aircraft Carrier
Today, the HTMS Chakri Naruebet serves as a cautionary tale about military procurement and national ambitions. It sits at dock more often than not, its flight deck converted for helicopter operations and ceremonial functions.
Thailand still technically operates Southeast Asia’s only aircraft carrier, but that distinction has become more burden than boast. The ship that was supposed to project power across the region has instead become a symbol of overreach and poor planning.
For taxpayers, the numbers are sobering. That €667 million investment has yielded minimal military capability and enormous ongoing costs. It’s a reminder that in defense spending, as in many things, bigger isn’t always better – and prestige projects can quickly become white elephants.
FAQs
Why did Thailand buy an aircraft carrier?
Thailand purchased the carrier in the 1990s during an economic boom to project regional naval power and gain prestige as the only Southeast Asian nation with carrier capability.
How much did Thailand’s aircraft carrier cost?
The original price was $300 million in 1992, which equals approximately €667 million in today’s money when adjusted for inflation.
Does Thailand’s aircraft carrier still have fighter jets?
No, the carrier’s AV-8S Matador jets were gradually grounded due to maintenance costs and lack of spare parts, with the last ones retired around 2006.
What does Thailand use the aircraft carrier for now?
The ship primarily serves ceremonial functions, disaster relief operations, and occasional training exercises, spending most of its time docked at port.
Could Thailand sell its aircraft carrier?
While Thailand has considered selling it, there’s limited international interest in a 25-year-old carrier with no operational aircraft and high maintenance requirements.
What lessons did other countries learn from Thailand’s carrier?
Regional neighbors like Vietnam and Indonesia focused on smaller, more practical naval vessels rather than expensive prestige projects after observing Thailand’s experience.
