SATTAHIP /Thailand/, November 22. /TASS/. The Admiral Panteleyev large antisubmarine warfare ship of the Pacific fleet called at Thailand on a friendly visit, TASS correspondent reports.

It anchored at the main base of Thai Navy of Sattahip and was welcomed by a military band that played the Russian Katyusha song.

"We are glad to see the Russian warship in Thailand, which is the heart of Southeast Asia. We believe it necessary to maintain normal friendly relations with all countries and Russia is no exception," a representative of the Royal Thai Navy told TASS.

Thailand is planning a return visit of its warship to Vladivostok.

The Admiral Panteleyev previously called at Sattahip in October 2019 together with the Varyag missile cruiser and the Pechenga tanker.

Navy diplomacy

Calls of Russian warships at Thailand are an old tradition dating back to the launch of diplomatic relations between the countries. The Gaidamak clipper and the Novik corvette of the Russian Empire made the first call on February 19, 1863. In February 1974, they were followed by a group of warships under the command of Rear Admiral Fedor Brumer. King Rama IV welcomed both delegations.

The next visit of Pacific warships took place in April 1882 under the command of Rear Admiral Avramy Aslanbegov. Rama V awarded the Russian sailors with memorial medals.

In March 1891, Russian heir to the throne Nikolay Alexandrovich arrived in Bangkok one the Pamyat Azova cruiser. Both countries established diplomatic relations in May 1898.

Pacific fleet mission

The Pacific fleet said on October 7 the Admiral Tributs and the Admiral Panteleyev large antisubmarine ships sailed out of Vladivostok for a mission in Asia and Pacific region. In Peter the Great Bay, antisubmarine and rescue Ka-27 helicopters landed on the warships. They flew from the deployment airfield in Primorsky region.

The Russian warships and the helicopters hold antisubmarine drills and train air defense and countersubversion algorithms. They will also train communications and survivability, as well as replenish stocks in motion.