HTMS Khram Shipwreck

The HTMS Khram Shipwreck is an advanced dive site in the Gulf of Thailand near Pattaya, another entry in Thailand's impressive fleet of intentionally sunk decommissioned naval vessels that have been repurposed as artificial reefs and diving attractions. Named after the nearby island of Koh Khram, which is a Thai Naval base, this wreck offers experienced divers a substantial military vessel to explore in the warm waters of the eastern Gulf. The HTMS Khram was carefully prepared before sinking, with hazardous materials removed and access points created to facilitate safe diver penetration. The vessel was sunk upright on a sandy bottom, and its intact profile creates an impressive sight as it emerges from the Gulf's characteristically green water during descent. The military design of the ship creates a structured, angular landscape that is distinctly different from natural reef environments. Marine life has colonized the wreck progressively since its sinking. The warm Gulf temperatures promote rapid biological growth, and the hull surfaces now support layers of marine organisms that create increasingly complex habitat. Soft corals and sponges are well established, with hard coral colonies beginning to build genuine reef structure on the metalwork. This ongoing process of marine transformation means the wreck looks different with each passing year, becoming progressively more biological and less industrial. The fish community around the HTMS Khram is substantial. The wreck provides shelter and feeding opportunities in an area where the natural seabed offers limited structural habitat, and fish have responded by congregating in impressive numbers. Schools of snappers fill the interior spaces, while batfish and barracuda are constant presences around the exterior. Groupers of notable size have taken up residence in the larger internal compartments, and the wreck perimeter attracts hunting predators from the surrounding waters. Interior exploration reveals the ship's compartments in varying states of marine colonization. The bridge offers panoramic views through the windows, though the glass is now obscured by growth. The engine room, with its larger machinery still in place, provides a cathedral-like diving experience where shafts of light penetrate through deck openings. Crew quarters and passageways create an atmospheric journey through the vessel's working spaces. Visibility at the site varies with Gulf conditions, ranging from just a few meters to fifteen meters or more on exceptional days. The variable visibility is part of the experience, and the wreck's atmospheric quality is arguably enhanced by the moodier conditions that partially obscure the structure and demand closer exploration. The HTMS Khram is an important component of the Pattaya area's wreck diving portfolio. Together with the HTMS Kut and HTMS Mataporn, it demonstrates Thailand's commitment to creating artificial marine habitats that serve both ecological and recreational purposes, offering advanced divers compelling exploration opportunities while building new reef ecosystems in the Gulf.