Sailors from Singapore and Thailand took part in a joint naval exercise in the Strait of Malacca and Andaman Sea.

The 12-day exercise, codenamed Singsiam, ended on Friday, with a closing ceremony in Phuket. It was co-officiated by Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) 188 Squadron commanding officer Alan Goh and the Royal Thai Navy's Frigate Squadron 2 Chief of Staff, Captain Wisnu Srangwongmai.

The sea drill featured the two warships and a submarine from the RSN while the Thai navy deployed three warships, two naval helicopters and a maritime patrol plane.

The Singapore Defence Ministry said in a statement that the bilateral naval exercise, the 17th in its series, has expanded in scope and complexity over the years.

It has evolved from conventional naval warfare exercises to exercises incorporating aerial and underwater warfare scenarios.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Colonel Goh said that the successful drill improved the "mutual understanding and friendship" between the two navies and underscores their "close and long-standing" defence relationship.