Coast Guard Squadron

the Royal Thai Navy has a Coast Guard Command to enforce laws at sea and render assistance to those in distress in the territorial waters and contiguous sea. For inland operations, the Royal Thai Navy deploys special task units in some major areas. The Mekong Riverine Unit is responsible for law enforcement and provision of assistance to the people along the Mekong River. Chanthal:Juri and Tmt Border Defence Command is responsible for the. protection of the eastern border both on land and at sea of Chanthaburi and Tmt provinces.The operational units serve directly under the Naval Command Center (NCC). Manned 24 hours by rotation of personnel, the NCC exercises its command through the C3I system.

The Royal Thai Navy was involved in a long process of developing its coast guard force. On April 1, 1989 a trial force of one frigate, eight patrol craft and four aircraft was established. The Coast Guard Squadron was officially authorized on September 29, 1992, when the number of patrol craft attached to it was increased to 11. Currently, ships and aircraft are rotated monthly from the navy. Coast guard functions are also performed by the Marine Police (responsible to the Interior Ministry). A permanent base for the Coast Guard has not yet been determined; possible locations include the area of Laem Chabang, where the country's heavy east coast industrial port is located. Armed Sea Rangers currently maintain counter-piracy patrols in converted fishing vessels.

Besides the Royal Thai Navy, some operation areas are placed under the responsibilities of other government agencies. The Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Center-MECC was established in 1997 under the Office of the National Security Council with the Naval Command Center working as its main operating unit and the Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Navy as its director. This center comprises five major governmental units including the Royal Thai Navy, the Marine Police, the Customs Department, the Department of Fisheries, and the Marine Department. All units work in close conjunction with other organisations from both private and govern?ment sectors that protect national maritime interest. Outstanding achievements over the years were the effective cleaning operation of oil spills and suppression of illegal narcotic movements.