PHUKET: On Sunday morning (7 September 2014) at the Third Naval Area Command, Vichit Sub-District, Muang District, Phuket Province, Admiral Narong Pipatanasai, Navy Commander-in-Chief and his team went to inspect, speak to and provide funds to various sectors of the Third Naval Area Command in the southern region of the country which includes Phuket province, before bidding farewell to the southern sector and proceeding to become Navy Commander-in-Chief and Minister of the Education Ministry.

Admiral Narong made a speech saying that the Third Naval Area Command must protect and preserve the sovereignty of the nation. The base has the duty to coordinate with three neighboring countries, namely Myanmar, Indonesia and Malaysia. Officers working in this agency must be committed to working at various assignments that are the responsibility of the Third Naval Area Command. They must also help protect the surrounding environment and maintain security, to the benefit of the country's coastline, which is an area of particular responsibility. The Navy also supports the development of the country and helps the public to live in peace and safety.

National News Bureau of Thailand

Declaration of Interest: In March next year, Phuketwan journalists Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian face a continuing trial over criminal defamation and Computer Crimes Act charges brought by the Royal Thai Navy, citing a 41-word paragraph from a Pulitzer prize-winning Reuters report on the Rohingya boatpeople. Reuters and other news organisations in Thailand that published the same paragraph have not been charged. The charges were laid before the military takeover in Thailand.