Thailand ordered three ex US Navy P-3As in 1989 for coastal surveillance and transport duties. It wasn't until 1995 that the aircraft arrived after being modified to suit the Navy's requirements. Two were re-designated at P-3Ts when they entered service and a third was delivered as a UP-3T, however, this was modified to a VP-3T standard which this aircraft is, with seats installed and retaining a limited SENTAC station to perform surveillance duties. A further two P-3A examples also came to Thailand for use as spares, these never entered service.

OCEAN SKY 2021

When we visited Torrejon in May 1989, Ala 12 was just transitioning from the F-4C to the Hornet (although they kept their RF-4Cs alongside the Hornet until 2002). This is one of the first Hornets that was delivered to Ala 12. 35 years later, the aicraft still is with the unit carying the same code 12-06. The photo was taken by Paul Geerts as my own camera sadly malfunctioned that day.

In storage pending disposal