HTMS Thonburi
HTMS "Thonburi, also known as Dhonburi", was a coastal defence ship of the Royal Thai Navy. Design. "Thonburi" and her sister ship, , were designed following the incorporation of the earlier s into the Siamese Navy in the 1920s. The "Rattanakosindra" class were British-built ships which featured six-inch guns in two turrets and light armor. Under Plaek Pibulsonggram's command, the Siamese Navy began a series of modernization efforts. Priorities for the navy consisted of protecting the extensive Thai coastline, and coastal gunboats were viewed as the best resource. Several foreign firms from European countries offered a  variety of designs, but in the end the Japanese company Kawasaki won the tender. The new vessels were basically larger versions of the earlier "Rattanakosindra" ships. The ships were laid down at Kawasaki's facilities in 1936, and "Thonburi" was launched on 31 July 1937. The resulting "battleships", as they were referred to in Siam at the time, displaced 2,265 tons, featured increased armor protection (protecting machinery and gun turrets), and were powered by twin diesels produced by MAN of Germany. Armament consisted of four /50 calibre guns mounted in two twin turrets. The Japanese 8-inch guns were of  the same type as in early Imperial Japanese Navy heavy cruisers and the aircraft carriers and . The main armament had a maximum range of at 25 degrees of elevation. A tower above the bridge featured a fire control system for aiming the main guns. Additional armament consisted of four 3-inch and four 40-mm guns. The new ships were enthusiastically received by the Royal Thai Navy. Purchasing further vessels of the type was considered by the government, but ultimately it was decided to purchase two Italian-built light cruisers in 1938. Both ships were seized by Italy in 1941  before construction had finished (they were never completed), leaving "Thonburi" and "Sri Ayudhya" as the most powerful combatants in Thai service. Service. Both ships of the class had entered service by the time hostilities had broken out in Europe during the Second World War. "Thonburi" engaged a French squadron in the Battle of Koh Chang on 17 January 1941. The resulting battle was nothing short of a massive defeat, as the Thai ship was severely damaged by fire from the French cruiser Lamotte-Picquet, fires spread out of control so she was towed to Laem Ngop to be beached in  order to prevent her sinking. She would capsize a few hours after the order to abandon ship was given. "Thonburi" was later raised and attempts were made to repair the extensive damage, though she would never sail under her own power again. She would continue to serve the navy as a training vessel until being stricken in 1959. Part of her bridge and forward gun turret are preserved as a memorial at the Royal Thai Naval Academy with other relics from her such as the remains of her bow garuda and bell would be spread around the country in various  museums. "Sri Ayudhya" had a more unfortunate fate, being sunk in the Manhattan Rebellion of 1951.