Prasae Frigate, originally called the USS. GALLUP (PE-2) INTERNATIONAL CALLSING "HSXX" RIVER CLASS, was built in California, USA, and completed on the 29th of February, 1944. The frigate is an agile battleship capable of reaching speeds of 20.3 Knots (37.6 KMH). It is also equipped with a barrage of weapons including 3 x 76mm/50 canons, 2 x 40mm/60 guns, 9 x 20mm guns, 1 Hedgehog (Anti-Submarine Projector), 8 Rocket launchers, 2 depth charge racks, and 2 torpedo tubes. As you can see, that’s quite an arsenal (and it’s not even the biggest ship out there). Prasae measures 92.8 meters in length, and required 216 sailors to man the ship. The ship is enormous, you’ve got to go there yourself to see it.

The ship has played a role in many naval missions, Thai and international. Prasae Frigate’s very first mission was during the Korean War. The frigate travelled with two other ships from the Royal Thai Navy; HTMS Sichang and HTMS Bangpakong. Their mission was to provide military assistance to South Korea and defend ships in the area. The ships were there for one year.

Most people don’t know that the Prasae Frigate at the memorial isn’t the original ship. In fact, the first frigate was decommissioned after its tour of duty. The stress of war had taken a toll on the ship. Seeing that the ship wasn’t going to last, the Royal Thai Navy purchased a second to replace the first. It wasn’t until the second frigate was decommissioned that it was bought by Rayong province and made as a memorial for visitors to tour. The reason for buying the ship was because Rayong’s Prasae beach shares the same name.

The frigate is open for all to walk and visit the ship up close. Make your way to the ‘Bridge’, it the command post for the captain. Up here you’ll get to see the view of the ocean including Prasae River to your right. Also from up here you’ll get to look down below at the deck and see the arsenal of weapons the ship has. Standing alongside the ship will make you feel minuscule, but once you’re standing in the bridge and imagining yourself as the captain of this massive machine of war, you might just become a megalomaniac.

The only downside to this memorial is that it isn’t maintained at all. Some tourists have gone ahead and vandalized the ship by leaving messages on some parts of the ship. Despite the vandalism, Prasae Frigate Memorial is still a sight worth visiting if you have the time.

Address : Nearby Prasae Beach, Moo 1, Pak Nam Prasae Sub-district, Klaeng District, Rayong

GPS : N12 41 48.66, E101 42 16.74

Contact no. : 0-3866-1720-1 Prasae District Office

Fax : 0-3866-1720-1 Extension 19

E-mail : info@prasae.com

Website : http://www.prasae.com/

Opening Hours : 07.00 – 18.00

Best Time : Mid Afternoon; the heat is less intense.

Highlight : The enormous size of the ship.

Activities : Sight-seeing

Car:
Drive along Sukhumvit Rd. towards Chanthaburi province until you reach the 278th kilometer road marker. Turn right on Prasae Intersection and continue straight until the end of Tetsaban 9 Rd. Signs will indicate the way.