The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) on Monday organised a farewell ceremony for its retiring navy chief at Sattahip beach in Chon Buri province.
Officers take part in a parade of 12 ships led by HTMS Chakri Naruebet to bid farewell to the head of the Royal Thai Navy, Adm Narong Pipattanasai. Tawatchai Khemgumnerd
The event was held for Admiral Narong Pipattanasai, who is retiring after spending more than 40 years in the RTN.
Adm Narong, who is now the minister of education in Prime Minister Prayuth Cha-ocha's government, said during the ceremony that working as the navy chief was similar to being a school headmaster.
"After retiring as the headmaster at the RTN, I have to work in the same position at the Education Ministry which has its own problems that the premier wants solved.
"We have to fix the problems under the required time limit, which is only one year," he said.
At the ceremony, HTMS Chakri Naruebet, the flagship vessel of the RTN and Thailand's first and only aircraft carrier, acted as the reception ship, where authorities and guests watched a military parade of 12 ships.
HTMS Pin Klao fired a 19-shot salute to honour the outgoing navy chief.
Adm Narong thanked all the officers who had protected their country under his supervision.
He added that the HTMS Chakri Naruebet is now fully operational after it was installed with combat management systems and radar systems.
The ship has been anchored for almost two years at Chuk Samed in Sattahip for maintenance.
The aircraft carrier will undergo a sea acceptance test on Sept 22.
Capt Chaiyong Khunta of the HTMS Chakri Naruebet said the aircraft carrier, which was constructed in Spain, is now equipped with a 3D Sea Giraffe radar system.
The aircraft carrier has already undergone a satisfactory harbour acceptance test, he said.
The Gripen and Saab340 AEW-Airborne Early Warning aircraft from the Royal Thai Air Force will also join the test, he said.
Commissioners from the RTN and the Royal Thai Air Force will also attend.
If the aircraft carrier passes the sea acceptance test, it will undergo sea trials in preparation for disaster relief operations.
The carrier is expected to undergo a sea trial every month after the test.