Ratanakosindra
An item reported that the Siamese navy consisted of mainly of some gunboats, two comparable with the Dutch flotilla vessels although smaller, an aged destroyer [the former British HMS Radiant, purchased in 1920 and renamed Phra Ruang], 5 aged torpedo boats. 5 motor torpedo boats and some auxiliary ships. At that moment were in Italy 9 torpedo boats or destroyers under construction of which one already launched and 2 minelayers of minesweepers. In Japan were 2-400 ton torpedo boats and 2-2.000 ton training ships under construction/ There were no specifications known. The magazine wondered what the sense was of the strengthening of the Siamese navy. Was the intention to defend with all needs her defence or was she more a less a subsidiary of the Japanese navy. It seemed to be the first option while just a few ships were built in Japan.(1)
Note
1. Thailand claimed neutrality but was invaded by Japan in December 1941 and became in fact a puppet state of Japan. On 21 December 1941 was even an offensive-defensive alliance treaty signed between both countries. On 25 January 1942 declared Siam war on the United Kingdom and the USA. Earlier, between 1940-1941 France and Siam were in war with Siam succeeding in capturing former Thai territories in Laos and Cambodia. There were also coastal defence ships built in Japan, on 12 January 1936 was the Thonburi and the same year the Sri Ayudhya, both by Kawasaki Co., Kobe Japan. Gunboats were for even the British built Ratanakosindra (19241967) and Sukhothai (1928-1971).
