The Submarine Squadron will make its debut on Monday in a move that underscores the Royal Thai Navy's push for having submersibles added to the naval fleet.
One of four submarines arrives in Bangkok from Japan in 1938. The navy will open the Submarine Squadron on Monday and needs submarines again. (Photo from Submarine Squadron Facebook)
The squadron and training centre for submarines will be officially opened by navy chief ADM Narong Pipattanasai at Sattahip naval base in Chon Buri province, the unit said on its Facebook page.
The unit commanded by Panu Punyavirocha is equipped with everything - including a German-made submarine simulator - except one thing: real submarines.
The construction cost of the office and equipment was estimated at 740 million baht, Rear Adm Panu said in October.
The office of the Submarine Squadron is set up at Sattahip naval base in Chon Buri province. (Photo from Submarine Squadron Facebook)
The navy has pressed the government to buy submarines for years to help navy ships protect the Gulf of Thailand - as the u-shaped gulf could be easily blocked in times of war - and Thai interest amid growing concern about the dispute over the South China Sea.
The navy launched a plan to set up the unit in 2011 with expectations of having second-hand submarines from Germany. But so far the plan still remains as a blueprint.
Thailand has had no submarines since a fleet of four Japanese-made underwater vessels were retired after 13 years in service beginning in 1938.
''Although the navy has not had submarines for 63 years, submarines are still important as a strategic and irreplaceable tool for the state to make up for the geographical limitations of Thailand,'' the navy said in an article to promote the vessels.
It launched a campaign - "It's about time to have submarines" - in September 2012 in line with the advent of first submarines in Thailand 75 years ago.
The promotion of the new office on its Facebook page received some encouragement from followers.
"Be patient,'' commented Noppawit Suwanacheep on Facebook. "Submarines will eventually come.''
Another comment by Pongsakon ZakuKyon on the social media said the office launch he read on Facebook was a precursor to the arrival of submarines. "Having read that, it sounds like we are going to have one soon,'' he said.
"Although we don't have tens of billions of baht to spend on submarines, the navy must be prepared for when we will have them in the near future,'' said Adm Narong in October last year when he ordered the navy to set up the squadron.