The Indian Naval Frigates Squadron comprising INS Jumna, Tir, Sutlej and Kistna was recently on five-day goodwill cruise to Thailand.

The warm welcome received by the ships in Thailand on the "historic occasion" of their first goodwill cruise to Bangkok was significant and symbolic of the age old ties - cultural and other - existing between Thailand and India. The personnel of the visiting squadron were given a warm reception by the cosmopolitan citizens of Thai capital and Government and the Royal Thai Navy in particular.

On arrival at the mouth of the river Maenam Chao Phya on the bank of which stands Bangkok, INS Jumna fired two 21-gun salutes to the Kingdom of Thailand and to His Majesty The King, the first one of which was returned. Later, the four ships gracefully sailed up the Maendering river with various kinds of sailing and motor-boats, small "sampans" and huge country-craft moving on both sides of the ships in a seemingly endless procession. Men, women and children in these boats as also from the houses on the river-banks fringed with tall palms and ever-green trees greeted the squadron by waving their hands and hats. Many were also heard shouting "Namaskar" and "Sawadhi" (Thai greeting). The entire scene of the cheering people, the anchored Royal Thai Naval ships exchanging salutes with each of the IN frigates with smartly dressed men standing to attention on the upper decks presented a brilliant spectacle. It almost looked like a Naval ceremony.

During the ship’s visit Captain M K Heble, Captain Commanding Indian Naval Squadron, exchanged courtesy calls with H.E. the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, the Thai Naval C-in-C and the Indian Ambassador in Bangkok.

While welcoming Captain Heble, the Prime Minister, Field-Marshal Pibul Songgram expressed how happy he felt at the visit and spoke of the friendly ties existing between the two countries. As a mark of the visit, the Prime Minister presented to Captain Heble souvenir gifts for the four ships. Captain Heble expressed his profound thanks to the Prime Minister for this very kind gesture and expressed the hope that the Thai Navy would pay a visit to India and that there would be frequent exchanges of Naval visits between the two countries in the future.

Describing the visit as a "momentous occasion" at a dinner held in honour of the visiting squadron, the Thai Naval C-in-C. said : "It is common knowledge that the Navies of the world have a common link which binds them together, but in case of two such closely situated Navies this bond should surely be stronger." He felt that it was of mutual benefit that on this occasion Officers of the two Navies were able to exchange views and opinions and advantages which could only be gained by personal contact. In his reply Captain Heble said that the occasion was "a red letter day for us in the Indian Navy". He sincerely hoped that this occasion would mark the beginning of growing co-operation and goodwill between the two Navies.

The crowded five-day programme of receptions and entertainments, sports fixtures and sight-seeing excursions which included a formal dinner party held on board Jumna was rounded off by a farewell party given by the visiting squadron.

Memorable was the thunderous ovation the Naval personnel received at the National Stadium during a thrilling football match which the Indian Navy lost to the Royal Thai Navy by two goals to three. With its grand-stand packed to capacity the Stadium witnessed an unforgettable spectacle of a parade by Thai Naval cadets just before the game started, with two cadets heading the columns carrying the Thai and the Indian Flags during the march. Later a helicopter of the Royal Thai Air Force gracefully descended over the field to ceremoniously deliver the football to the Captains of the two teams.

Throughout the ships’ stay at Bangkok thousands of people - Thai, Chinese and Indians including women and children - poured into the ships and evinced keen interest in what they saw. The Officers and men of the squadron impressed their hosts everywhere by their discipline, smartness of bearing and charming manners. The visit, marked by the generous and spontaneous hospitality extended by all to the guests, has forged one more link in the traditional bond of friendship existing between Thailand and India. The departing squadron carried with it sweet memories of their stay in Bangkok.