PHOTOS

20 JAN 2011

Back From Pirate Hunting

Two Thai navy ships assigned to the international anti-piracy task force off Somalia -- HTMS Similan and HTMS Pattani -- arrive home on Thursday morning after 137 days of patrolling the Gulf of Aden.Photos by Jetjaras Na Ranong

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Back From Pirate Hunting — - One of the two Thai ships returns to port at Sattahip naval base on Thursday morning, 137 days after it left on Sept 10. The anti-piracy mission ended on Dec 31.

Back From Pirate Hunting — The sailors' families gather at Chuk Samet naval base in Sattahip district, Chon Buri, with smiles and flowers in a welcome-home ceremony chaired by Admiral Kamthorn Phumhiran, the navy commander-in-chief.

Back From Pirate Hunting — Sailors embark from HTMS Similan which, along with HTMS Pattani, took part in the international effort to patrol the Gulf of Aden.

Back From Pirate Hunting — The returning sailors are welcomed home in a grand ceremony organised by the Royal Thai Navy.

Back From Pirate Hunting — After more than four months at sea keeping at bay pirates off the coast of Somalia, Thai sailors arrive home and back into the arms of their families.

Back From Pirate Hunting — Home at last: A reunion scene for one of the 351 sailors who joined the international anti-piracy mission