The Navy has relocated HTMS Chonburi out to sea, from the naval base in Chon Buri province, after a jammed artillery shell was accidentally discharged into HTMS Khirirat, which was docked nearby.

The accident caused a fire on HTMS Khirirat and injured 14 sailors.

The navy’s commander-in-chief, Admiral Adoong Pan-iam, explained that the relocation of HTMS Chonburi is a preventive measure, to avoid a repeat of the accident, adding “The ship will be thoroughly checked for any more jammed artillery shells or other faults.”

He was responding to widespread doubts about the reason for the relocation, as the frigate is under investigation following the accident. An investigation team was established yesterday to determine the cause of the accident and report to Admiral Adoong within three days.

Adoong also said that eight out of the 14 officers injured in the accident have already been discharged from hospital. Most of them were injured by inhaling hot air and smoke during the fire.

HTMS Khirirat, built at the Norfolk dockyard in the United States in 1972, entered service with the Thai navy in 1974. It has a displacement of 1,172 tonnes, is 82.5 meters long, and 9.9 meters wide and is equipped with one 76-mm cannon, 20mm and 12.7mm guns and a depth charge launcher.

The fully armed Chonburi class patrol craft was built by the Italian shipyard, Cantiere Navale Breda, and is designed to be fast and manoeuvrable, with a maximum speed of 29 knots and a range of up to 2,500 miles. It has been in service with the Thai navy for 41 years.