- Yes
- No
HTMS T.231 Coastal Patrol Boat
Thai-Built & Twin-Souled
Thai Designation: ชุด ต.231 (Hysucat 18 class PBH)
T.231 of the Royal Thai Navy during initial trials equipped with a 20mm Sea Vulcan
OVERVIEW
T.231 is a high-speed coastal patrol boat built based on the Hysucat 18 PBH design by Technotic Intertrading Co., Ltd., Thailand. It is the Navy’s first and only catamaran patrol boat. The T.231 is a unique high-speed coastal patrol vessel in the Royal Thai Navy, notable for its catamaran (twin-hull) design. This configuration offers enhanced speed, stability, and maneuverability compared to traditional monohull vessels.
During its initial trials, it attracted a lot of attention due to experimental installations — including a Sea Vulcan triple-barrel 20mm cannon mounted at the bow and an optional setup of two Stinger surface-to-air missiles, the results of the test however seems to conclude that it cant work with the Sea Vulcan but I cannot confirm if this is true, it could also be that the RTN simply wanted to reduce maintenance costs and went with the already in service 20mm Oerlikon.
HTMS T.231 was commissioned on February 11, 1988. It had a displacement of 37 tons, was 18.25 meters long, 6.25 meters wide, and had a maximum draft of 1.6 meters. Powered by two MAN TBD234 V12 diesel engines, it could reach speeds of up to 38 knots. Its armaments upon commissioning ended up being a 20mm GAM-BO1 cannon at the bow and two 12.7mm M2 machine guns on the cabin roof. The vessel served under the 3rd Patrol Boat Division, Gulf Patrol Squadron before being quietly decommissioned a few years ago.
The T.231 was an ambitious project, representing Thailand’s foray into indigenous naval shipbuilding. Its catamaran hull was a significant departure from conventional designs, aiming to achieve higher speeds and better sea-keeping abilities. Initially, the vessel faced challenges in meeting performance expectations. However, through iterative improvements and modifications, it eventually achieved its intended operational capabilities, marking a milestone in Thai naval engineering.
After decommissioning, HTMS T.231 was relocated to Krabi Province as part of Phase 2 of the Krabi Underwater Learning Park Project. The project received eight decommissioned naval vessels: T.216, T.217, T.218, T.220, T.221, T.222, T.231, and T.241, all to be submerged in the Krabi estuary intended to be submerged to create artificial reefs, promoting marine biodiversity and serving as a site for diving tourism*. However, as of the latest available information, the T.231 remains on land, awaiting deployment.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | High-Speed Coastal Patrol Boat (Hydrofoil Supported Catamaran) |
| Builder | Technautic Intertrading Company, Thailand |
| Mass | 32,000 lb (14,515 kg) |
| Length | 59.8 ft (18.25 m) |
| Width | 21.5 ft (6.57 m) |
| Height | 5.25 ft (1.61 m) |
| Crew | 9 (Commander, Operators, and Support Personnel) |
| Max Speed | 38 knots (70.4 km/h) |
| Propulsion | 2 × MWN TBD234 Diesel Engines, 1,500 hp (1,119 kW) |
| Radar | Anritsu Navigation Radar |
| Armament | 1 × 20 mm Oerlikon GAM-CO1 Autocannon or 20mm M197 Sea Vulcan (Bow-mounted) |
| 2 × .50 Caliber Machine Gun (Aft of the Bridge) | |
| 2 × Stinger AA Missile (Never Fitted) |
IN-GAME
Note: Its actually harder to find photos of it with its commissioned armament with the Oerlikon instead with its experimental 20mm Sea Vulcan
MORE PHOTOS
Clearer photo of the T.231 with its experimental triple barrel 20mm Sea Vulcan
Clearer photo of the T.231 in service with its commissioned armament of 20mm Oerlikon
Spoiler
T.231 in service with its commissioned armament of 20mm Oerlikon
Aft View of the T.231 during trials
T.231 as can be found in 2022 for the Underwater Learning Park Project in Krabi Province, Thailand
T.231 as can be seen on Combat Fleets of the World 1990/1991 p. 525
SOURCES
Spoiler
Combat fleets of the world 1990/91 : their ships, aircraft, and armament : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Uncategorized – Page 30 – Seafarer Library
Monsoon Photo&News: เรือตรวจการณ์ชายฝั่ง (ตกช.)
https://pantip.com/topic/36444882
Catamaran ต.231 – ZedtH iNdA CiTY
Royal Thai Navy Combatant Ship Specification | คุณลักษณะเรือรบของกองทัพเรือไทย – thaiarmedforce
Royal Thai Navy (cold war)
Patrol Boat River
EDITS
- Edit to correct source and page no.
