HTMS Chao Phraya

{{Short description|1974 Chao Phraya-class frigate}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = MY-port-klang-marine-ship-455.jpg | image_caption = HTMS ''Chao Phraya'' in Port Klang, 2013 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | country = Thailand | flag = {{shipboxflag|Thailand|naval}} | name = HTMS ''Chao Phraya'' | namesake = Chao Phraya River | ordered = 18 July 1988 | awarded = | builder = Hudong Shipyard, Shanghai | laid_down = April 1989 | launched = 24 June 1990 | christened = | acquired = | commissioned = 5 April 1991 | recommissioned = | decommissioned = | in_service = | out_of_service = | renamed = | reclassified = | refit = | captured = | struck = | reinstated = | fate = | motto = | status = In service | homeport = }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = {{sclass|Chao Phraya|frigate}} | type = | tonnage = | displacement = *{{convert|1676|LT|t|abbr=on|lk=in}} standard *{{convert|1924|LT|t|abbr=on|lk=in}} full | length = {{convert|103.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|11.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = | draught = {{convert|3.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | draft = | depth = | hold_depth = | decks = | deck_clearance = | ramps = | ice_class = | power = | propulsion = *4 × MTU 20V1163 TB83 diesel engines, *driving two shafts with controllable pitch propellers | sail_plan = | speed = {{convert|30|kn|km/h}} max | range = {{convert|3500|NM|km}} at {{convert|18|kn|km/h}} | endurance = | test_depth = | boats = | capacity = | troops = | complement = 168 | crew = | time_to_activate = | sensors = *''As built'' *Type 354 Eye Shield air/surface radar *Type 352C Square Tie surface search radar *Type 343 Sun Visor fire control radar (for 100mm) *Type 341 Rice Lamp fire control radar (for 37mm) *Racal-Decca 1290 A/D ARPA Navigation radar *Anritsu RA 71CA Navigation radar *Type 651 IFF *STN Atlas mini COSYS combat management system *Type SJD-5A sonar | EW = *ESM Type 923-1 intercept *ECM Type 981-3 deception jammer *Decoys 2 × Type 945 GPJ chaff launchers | armament = *2 × 100 mm/56 Type 79 twin-barreled guns *4 × 37 mm Type 76 twin-barreled guns *8 × C-801 SSM launchers *2 × Type 86 anti-submarine rocket launchers *2 × BMB depth charge racks | armour = | armor = | aircraft = | aircraft_facilities = | notes = }} }}

'''HTMS ''Chao Phraya'' (FFG-455)''' ({{langx|th|เรือหลวงเจ้าพระยา}}) is the lead ship of her class of frigates for the Royal Thai Navy, a variant of the Chinese-built Type 053H2 frigate.

== Design and description == ''Chao Phraya'' has a length of {{convert|103.2|m|ft|abbr=on}}, a beam of {{convert|11.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}, a draught of {{convert|3.1|m|ft|abbr=on}} and displacement of {{convert|1676|LT|t|abbr=on|lk=in}} standard and {{convert|1924|LT|t|abbr=on|lk=in}} at full load. The ship has two shafts and powered with four MTU 20V1163 TB83 diesel engines with {{convert|29440|shp|kW|abbr=on}}. The ship has a range of {{convert|3500|NM|km}} while cruising at {{convert|18|kn|km/h}} and top speed of {{convert|30|kn|km/h}}. ''Chao Phraya'' has a complement of 168 personnel, including 22 officers.{{sfn|Saunders|2004|p=735}}

As a Type 053HT frigate, the ship are armed with two 100 mm/56 Type 79 twin-barreled guns and four 37 mm Type 76 twin-barreled guns. For anti-submarine warfare, the ship is equipped with two Type 86 anti-submarine rocket launchers and two BMB depth charge racks. For surface warfare, ''Chao Phraya'' is equipped with eight C-801 anti-ship missile launchers.{{sfn|Saunders|2004|p=735}}

In August 2020, The Royal Thai Navy planned to modernize the ships ''Chao Phraya'' and ''Bangpakong'' to have similar capabilities to a modern offshore patrol vessel. The planned upgrade includes replacing the 100 mm guns with 76/62 automatic guns and all four 37 mm guns with a rapid-fire 30 mm autocannon, along with new combat management systems and surveillance systems.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-naval-defense/naval-defense-2020/royal-thai-navy-thinks-to-upgrade-two-chao-phraya-class-frigates-type-053 |website=navyrecognition.com |title=Royal Thai Navy thinks to upgrade two Chao Phraya class frigates Type 053 |date=8 August 2022 |access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref>

== Construction and career == The four ships of the class was ordered on 18 July 1988. ''Chao Phraya'' was laid down in April 1989{{sfn|Gardiner|Chumbley|1995|p=463}} at Hudong Shipyard, Shanghai. The ship was launched on 24 June 1990 and was commissioned on 5 April 1991.{{sfn|Saunders|2004|p=735}} Upon the ship completion and arrival on Thailand, the shipbuilding quality were deemed to be unsatisfactory and works was needed to improve the ship. The damage control abilities were also upgraded before she entered service.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=803}}

Upon entering service, ''Chao Phraya'' and her sisters were frequently used for training and rotated monthly to the Coast Guard.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=803}}

On 1 November 2008, ''Chao Phraya'' conducted a passing exercise with {{USS|Chancellorsville}} and {{USS|Decatur|DDG-73|2}} in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Phuket.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=40711 |title= USS Chancellorsville Engages in Maritime Exchange with Thai Navy |website=Navy.mil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322005643/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=40711 |date= 5 November 2008 |archive-date=22 March 2016 |access-date=26 December 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The ship took part in the search and rescue effort for the missing victims of 2018 Phuket boat capsizing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.trtworld.com/asia/death-toll-from-thai-tourist-boat-sinking-climbs-to-41-18749 |title=Death toll from Thai tourist boat sinking climbs to 41 |website=trtworld.com |date=7 July 2018 |access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref>

On 24–26 April 2019, ''Chao Phraya'' attended joint naval exercise with the People's Liberation Army Navy and other Southeast Asian navies in the waters off Qingdao.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chinadailyhk.com/articles/219/214/156/1556418675683.html |title=China concludes joint naval exercise with SE Asian countries |website=chinadailyhk.com |date=28 April 2019 |access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref>

== References == <references/>

=== Printed sources === * {{cite book|editor-last1=Gardiner |editor-first1=Robert |editor-last2=Chumbley |editor-first2=Stephen |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995 |year=1995 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland, USA |isbn=1-55750-132-7 }} * {{cite book|last=Saunders|first=Cdre. Stephen|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2004-2005|publisher=Jane's Information Group|year=2004|isbn=978-0710626233}} * {{cite book|editor-last1=Saunders |editor-first1=Stephen |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2009-2010 |year=2009 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=9780710628886 }}

== External links == {{commons category-inline|HTMS Chao Phraya (FF 455)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chao Phraya, (FFG 455)}} Category:Ships built in China Category:1990 ships Category:Chao Phraya-class frigates