MELBOURNE, Australia — A Chinese-built amphibious assault ship ordered by Thailand arrived at its homeport in the country’s south a week after it was officially handed over to its new owner at the Chinese shipyard.
The HTMS Chang, a Type 071E landing platform dock, arrived at Chuk Samet Pier by Sattahip Naval Base in Chonburi province, southern Thailand, on the afternoon of April 25.
The ship had left Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding’s facility in Shanghai on April 18, where it underwent construction by the state-owned business China State Shipbuilding Corp. It traveled to Thailand through the Taiwan Strait.
A ceremony to officially hand over the HTMS Chang to the Royal Thai Navy took place the day before it sailed home, with the service’s chief, Adm. Choengchai Chomchoengpaet, in attendance.
The Type 071E is an export variant of the Type 071, which is currently in service with the…
