The US Seventh Fleet uses the Gulf of Thailand when its aircraft carriers and other vessels dock near Bangkok at Sattahip port where Thailand’s First Naval Area Command is based to secure the gulf, which is peppered with inhabited Thai and Cambodian islands, navy facilities and oil rigs.
In addition to intercepting Thai ships, including fishing and commercial vessels, the navy said it would stop Thai-owned ships sailing under foreign flags and registrations, if they are suspected of transporting fuel, weapons, ammunition or other military equipment across the gulf to reach Cambodia’s south coast.
Thai shipping companies facilitating their travel, vessels’ owners, suppliers, chandlers and others linked to Thai ships violating the ban would also be held responsible, officials said.
