Thailand’s sole aircraft carrier leads tropical storm relief effort

HTMS Chakri Naruebet, the Royal Thai Navy’s flagship and its sole aircraft carrier, has been mobilised to lead rescue and relief operations in areas of the country affected by Tropical Storm Pabuk.

Embarked on the ship are a unit of rescue personnel, four helicopters, and a disaster assessment team. The ship has also been loaded with food, water, medical supplies, and other relief goods.

Chakri Naruebet arrived on station off the east coast of Southern Thailand within 24 hours after the tropical storm made landfall and began conducting relief operations immediately afterward.

Pabuk’s 75-km/h winds and heavy rains struck at Thailand’s southeastern coast on Friday, January 4, resulting in widespread flooding and power outages. Casualty figures include one confirmed dead and one missing while another 30,000 have sought refuge in evacuation shelters.