The Complete Guide to the HTMS Khram Wreck in 2026

HTMS Khram: A Practical Introduction for Divers

HTMS Khram is one of the best-known wreck dives for scuba diving Pattaya, located in the Ko Phai area off Pattaya. Before it became the khram wreck, the ship served as USS LSM-469, was transferred to Thailand on 25 May 1962, and was later sunk as an artificial reef on 1 February 2003.

In this guide, we explain the khram shipwreck in a clear and honest way: where it is, how deep it is, what marine life has actually been confirmed there, who it is suitable for, and why conditions such as visibility, current and boat time should always be checked before the dive.

If you are planning wreck diving Pattaya with Jomtien Dive Center, use this article as a practical starting point. It is not a replacement for a local dive briefing, current conditions or professional dive planning, but it will help you understand what makes HTMS Khram an important Pattaya wreck dive.

Wreck at a Glance

The khram wreck is one of the main Pattaya-area wreck dives for certified divers who want a real shipwreck with history, depth and artificial-reef growth. It is located in the Ko Phai area, around 300 metres east of Ko Phai, with the listed position at 12°55′57″N, 100°41′35″E.

Quick facts:

• Wreck name: HTMS Khram
• Former name: USS LSM-469
• Ship type: LSM-1-class landing ship medium
• Location: Ko Phai area, off Pattaya
• Listed position: 12°55′57″N, 100°41′35″E
• Reported distance from Ko Phai: about 300 metres east of the island
• Maximum published depth: 28 metres
• Published visibility range: 8 metres to 30 metres
• Sunk as an artificial reef: 1 February 2003
• Confirmed marine life: stingrays, batfish, scorpionfish and sweetlips

For divers comparing wreck diving Pattaya options, HTMS Khram should be understood as a proper boat dive, not a casual beach-access dive. Depth, visibility, current and marine life can all change, so we always plan the dive around the day’s conditions and the diver’s certification, comfort and recent experience.

The wreck is often searched online as the khram shipwreck, but we prefer to explain it as a real dive site rather than just a sightseeing attraction. It has a known military background, a published maximum depth of 28 metres and a location in the Pattaya far-island area, which means local knowledge and a proper briefing matter.

For anyone planning scuba diving Pattaya, HTMS Khram can be a memorable wreck dive when the conditions, training and dive plan are suitable.

History of HTMS Khram

Before it became the khram wreck, HTMS Khram had a long military history. The ship began life as USS LSM-469, an LSM-1-class landing ship medium built for the United States Navy during World War II. It was built by Brown Shipbuilding Co. in Houston, Texas, laid down on 27 January 1945, launched on 17 February 1945 and commissioned on 17 March 1945.

During World War II, USS LSM-469 served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater and took part in occupation service in the Far East from 20 September 1945 to 11 April 1946. The ship was decommissioned by the United States Navy on 29 August 1946.

On 25 May 1962, the ship was transferred to Thailand. It was commissioned into the Royal Thai Navy on 12 July 1962 and renamed HTMS Khram, also recorded in some naval-history sources as HTMS Kram. Its Thai service identification was LSM-3, and it was later reclassified as LSM-732.

The ship itself was not small. Its recorded length was 203 ft 6 in, or 62.03 metres, with a beam of 34 ft 6 in, or 10.52 metres. Its displacement was recorded as 520 long tons light, 743 long tons landing and 1,095 long tons at full load.

HTMS Khram was decommissioned by the Royal Thai Navy on 26 February 2002. On 1 February 2003, it was sunk as an artificial reef off Pattaya. That is why the khram shipwreck is not just another dive site; it is a former World War II-era landing ship with a clear military timeline before becoming part of wreck diving Pattaya.

Location and Dive-Site Context

The khram wreck lies off Pattaya in the Ko Phai island area. Ko Phai, also written as Koh Phai or Bamboo Island, is about 21 km west of Pattaya and is the largest island in the Mu Ko Phai group.

The wreck is reported about 300 metres east of Ko Phai. The listed wreck position is 12°55′57″N, 100°41′35″E, or 12.932583°N, 100.693183°E.

For divers researching wreck diving Pattaya, this location matters because HTMS Khram is not beside Pattaya Beach or Koh Larn. It sits in the far-island area, so the dive must be planned as a proper boat dive with local conditions checked before departure.

The wider Ko Phai group is under Royal Thai Navy supervision, and Ko Phai is described as an uninhabited island area. General island information also describes the trip from south Pattaya harbour to the Ko Phai islands as about 2 hours by boat, but actual boat time for scuba diving Pattaya trips can change with boat, sea state, weather and the day’s schedule.

This is why we never describe the khram shipwreck as a casual beach-access dive. It is a Pattaya far-island wreck dive that needs a professional dive boat, a proper briefing, current local information and responsible dive planning.

Depths and Wreck Layout

The khram wreck is a real wreck dive with depth, size and layout details that should be explained clearly before entering the water. A local Pattaya dive-site source lists the maximum depth as 28 metres and the wreck-site length as 56 metres.

The original ship record gives a slightly different size for the vessel itself: 203 ft 6 in, or 62.03 metres long, with a beam of 34 ft 6 in, or 10.52 metres wide. I would not mix these numbers together as if they are the same measurement. The 62.03-metre figure refers to the recorded original ship length, while the 56-metre figure is listed as the wreck-site length by a dive-site source.

The ship was an LSM-1-class landing ship medium, so its layout was different from a normal cargo boat or fishing wreck. Its original role was to carry vehicles, equipment and troops, and the recorded capacity included 5 medium tanks, 3 heavy tanks, 6 LVTs or 9 DUKWs. That helps explain why the khram shipwreck has a broad landing-ship shape rather than a narrow deep-hull profile.

Important layout facts:

• Maximum listed dive depth: 28 metres
• Local listed wreck-site length: 56 metres
• Original recorded ship length: 62.03 metres
• Original recorded beam: 10.52 metres
• Original class: LSM-1-class landing ship medium
• Thai service identification: LSM-3
• Later Thai reclassification: LSM-732
• Sunk as an artificial reef: 1 February 2003

For wreck diving Pattaya, we treat these numbers as planning information, not as a substitute for a dive briefing. Depth can affect air use, no-stop time, comfort and experience requirements, while wreck condition, visibility and current can change how the dive feels on the day. We do not publish penetration routes or encourage divers to treat the wreck like a casual swim-through site. The safe approach is to follow the dive briefing, stay within certification limits and dive with a professional local team.

Diving Conditions

Diving conditions on the khram wreck should always be treated as variable, not guaranteed. The published maximum depth is 28 metres, and the reported visibility range is from 8 metres up to 30 metres.

November to March is generally described as the more favourable period for this dive, but that does not mean every day in those months is perfect. Weather, sea state, visibility, current and the day’s dive plan all still matter.

Important condition points:

• Maximum published depth: 28 metres
• Reported visibility range: 8 metres to 30 metres
• More favourable period: November to March
• Current: variable and checked on the day
• Conditions: not guaranteed and always confirmed before diving

For wreck diving Pattaya, this is why we never promise one fixed visibility number or one fixed difficulty level. Some days at HTMS Khram can be clear and calm, while other days may have lower visibility or more challenging conditions.

For divers planning scuba diving Pattaya, the right approach is simple: listen carefully to the briefing, check the conditions on the day, stay within your training and experience level, and follow the local dive team’s plan.

The khram shipwreck can be a very rewarding dive, but it should always be planned around real conditions, not online expectations.

Marine Life Around HTMS Khram

One of the reasons divers enjoy the khram wreck is that it is not only a former naval ship, but also an artificial reef that has been underwater since 1 February 2003. Over time, the wreck has developed marine growth and become a home, shelter and feeding area for many different kinds of marine life.

Based on our HTMS Khram fish-identification checklist, divers can look for the following marine life around the wreck:

• Batfish — Platax sp., often captioned as Platax teira. Usually seen in midwater around the bridge, mast, upper decks and just off the hull.
• Barracuda — Sphyraena sp. Usually seen in open water above the wreck, around the mast and superstructure.
• Scorpionfish — Scorpaenidae spp., likely including Scorpaenopsis spp. Look carefully on coral-crusted railings, beams, deck openings and encrusted growth, where they can be very well camouflaged.
• Blue-spotted ribbontail ray — Taeniura lymma. Usually looked for on the sandy perimeter, adjacent sand patches and near the base of the wreck.
• Larger stingrays — Dasyatidae spp., with some reports consistent with Taeniurops meyeni. These are more likely to be seen on the sand beside the wreck, under the stern or under the belly of the hull.
• Sweetlips — Plectorhinchus sp. Often found just above the hull, around the upper structure and in midwater close to the wreck.
• Groupers — Epinephelinae spp. Usually found in darker, more sheltered areas such as bow overhangs, hull shadows, deeper structure and near openings.
• Hawksbill sea turtle — Eretmochelys imbricata. Sometimes seen resting on deck beams or superstructure, or passing through open water around the wreck.
• Bamboo sharks — Usually looked for under wreck structure, in shaded areas or near the sand.
• Lionfish — Pterois sp. Usually associated with wreck structure or reef-growth areas when seen.
• Moray eels — Muraenidae spp. Most likely to be found in holes, dark crevices or wreck openings.
• Nudibranchs — Nudibranchia. Small macro life that may be found on encrusted growth, sponges or soft coral.
• Yellow jacks — Carangidae sp. Usually associated with open water outside the wreck.
• Cleaner shrimp — exact species not confirmed. Look for them in crevices or sheltered cleaning-station-style areas.
• Crabs — Brachyura. Usually found in wreck holes, debris and encrusted structure.
• Porcupinefish — Diodontidae spp. Usually seen around wreck structure or nearby reef growth.
• Rabbitfish — Siganus spp. Often associated with marine growth and wreck edges.
• Trevally — Carangidae spp. Usually seen passing through open water around the wreck.
• Fusiliers — Caesionidae spp. Usually seen in midwater around the wreck.
• Snappers — Lutjanidae spp. Often seen around wreck edges, shadows and midwater.

The khram shipwreck also supports marine growth that gives the site more colour, texture and life. Around the wreck, divers can look for soft coral, sponges, sea fans, shells and encrusting shell growth attached to the metal structure.

This is why we always tell divers not to rush the dive. Some life is obvious, like batfish or barracuda in open water, but other life is easy to miss. Scorpionfish, nudibranchs, cleaner shrimp and crabs need slow movement, good buoyancy and careful observation.

For wreck diving Pattaya, we always keep expectations realistic. No dive center can promise the same marine life on every dive. Sightings can change with season, visibility, current, time of day and how calmly divers move around the wreck.

For divers planning scuba diving Pattaya, our advice is simple: slow down, control your buoyancy, avoid touching the wreck or marine growth, respect the animals and let your dive guide explain what has recently been seen around HTMS Khram.

Who the Wreck Is Suitable For

The khram wreck is best suited to certified divers who are comfortable with boat diving, wreck environments and dives that may reach close to 28 metres. Because the published maximum depth is 28 metres, we do not treat this as a beginner try-dive site or a casual shallow reef dive.

In our opinion, HTMS Khram is a better match for:

• Advanced Open Water divers or equivalent
• Divers with recent dive experience
• Divers who are comfortable descending and ascending from a boat
• Divers who can control buoyancy well around a wreck
• Divers who are comfortable if visibility changes during the dive
• Divers who understand that current and conditions can change on the day

For Open Water divers, the important number is depth. If your certification or experience limit is 18 metres, the 28-metre maximum depth means the dive plan must be managed very carefully, and another Pattaya dive site may be a better choice. We would rather be honest with divers than push everyone onto the same wreck.

The khram shipwreck is not suitable for uncertified divers, first-time try divers, nervous beginners or anyone who wants a simple shallow introduction to scuba diving Pattaya. It is also not a dive where we encourage independent wreck exploration or unsupported swim-through decisions.

For wreck diving Pattaya, our rule is simple: the wreck should match the diver, not the other way around. Certification level matters, but so do recent experience, confidence, air consumption, buoyancy, comfort in deeper water and the actual conditions on the day.

Conservation and Responsible Diving

Because the khram wreck was sunk as an artificial reef on 1 February 2003, we treat it as more than just an old ship underwater. It is part of the local marine environment, with shells, soft coral, sponges and sea fans growing on the structure.

For us, responsible wreck diving Pattaya means diving the wreck without damaging what has grown there. Good buoyancy is very important, especially around a metal structure where careless fin kicks, hand contact or equipment dragging can damage marine growth.

When we dive the khram shipwreck, we ask divers to follow simple but important rules:

• Do not touch, break or collect anything from the wreck
• Do not chase, corner or disturb marine life
• Keep fins, gauges and alternate air sources under control
• Avoid stirring up silt or reducing visibility for other divers
• Stay close enough to the plan and the group to dive safely
• Follow the dive briefing instead of making independent swim-through decisions

This is especially important because the wreck reaches a published maximum depth of 28 metres. At that depth, divers need to think about buoyancy, air use, no-stop time and awareness, not just photography or sightseeing.

For scuba diving Pattaya, our approach is simple: enjoy the wreck, respect the marine life and leave the site exactly as you found it. A good wreck dive should never come at the cost of damaging the reef life that has grown around it.

FAQs About HTMS Khram

Comparison with Nearby Pattaya Wrecks

When divers ask us about wreck diving Pattaya, we usually explain that each wreck has a different location, depth and character. The khram wreck is not the same style of dive as HTMS Kut, HTMS Mataphon or the Hardeep Wreck near Samaesan.

HTMS Khram is in the Pattaya far-island area, next to Ko Phai. It is reported about 300 metres east of Ko Phai, with a published maximum depth of 28 metres and a listed wreck-site length of 56 metres. This makes the khram shipwreck a far-island wreck dive with a strong artificial-reef character and a clear World War II-era naval history.

HTMS Kut is closer to Pattaya, next to Koh Sak in the Pattaya near-island chain. It is listed at 30 to 31 metres maximum depth, with a wreck-site length of 56 metres. One local source describes it as about 40 minutes from the Pattaya beach shoreline. Compared with HTMS Khram, HTMS Kut is usually discussed as the closer Pattaya wreck option, but it is slightly deeper on the published figures.

HTMS Mataphon is another artificial-reef wreck connected with the Pattaya area. It is listed as HTMS Mataphon LCT-761, sunk in 2012 at Ko Larn. Because I do not have a verified depth number from the checked source, we should not invent one.

The Hardeep Wreck is different again. It is not in the same Pattaya island group as HTMS Khram or HTMS Kut. It is connected with the Samaesan area, and one technical-dive-site listing gives it a maximum depth of 36 metres. Because of that depth, we would not describe Hardeep in the same way as a standard Pattaya recreational wreck dive.

Simple comparison:

• HTMS Khram: Ko Phai area, 28 metres maximum depth, 56 metres listed wreck-site length
• HTMS Kut: Koh Sak area, 30 to 31 metres maximum depth, 56 metres listed wreck-site length
• HTMS Mataphon: Ko Larn area, sunk in 2012, verified depth not found in the checked source
• Hardeep Wreck: Samaesan area, 36 metres maximum depth in the checked listing

For scuba diving Pattaya, the best wreck is not always the deepest or the most famous one. The right wreck depends on certification level, recent experience, weather, visibility, current, boat schedule and the dive plan on the day. Our job is to help divers choose the site that actually fits them safely.

Why Dive HTMS Khram with Jomtien Dive Center

When we take divers to the khram wreck, our goal is not just to put people on a boat and drop them on a famous Pattaya dive site. We want every diver to understand the wreck, the conditions, the depth, the plan and their own limits before entering the water.

Jomtien Dive Center is a PADI 5 Star IDC dive center in Pattaya, and we work closely with our sister company No Limit Divers. Together, we have the experience, boats and professional team needed for serious wreck diving Pattaya trips.

This matters on HTMS Khram because the wreck has a published maximum depth of 28 metres. That depth means planning, briefing, buoyancy, air awareness and diver comfort are all important. We do not treat this as a casual beginner dive or a simple sightseeing stop.

Why divers choose us:

• PADI 5 Star IDC dive center in Pattaya
• Two large private dive boats
• Professional local dive briefings
• Multilingual instructors and dive team
• Food, drinks, refreshments and fruit on board
• Support for divers from beginner level up to professional PADI training
• Sister company No Limit Divers, founded by PADI Platinum Course Director Gary Phillips
• More than 30 years of professional diving and instructor-development experience behind the team

For divers planning scuba diving Pattaya, we believe the right dive center makes a big difference. HTMS Khram is a beautiful and interesting wreck, but it should be dived with realistic expectations, safe planning and respect for the marine life growing around it.

Our approach is simple: we help you choose the right dive, brief you properly, check the conditions on the day and keep the experience safe, professional and enjoyable.

Ready to Dive HTMS Khram?

If you are interested in the khram wreck, contact us and we will help you decide if this is the right dive for your certification level, recent experience and comfort in the water.

HTMS Khram has a published maximum depth of 28 metres, so we do not treat it as a casual beginner dive. Before booking, we can explain what to expect, what level of experience is suitable and how the dive is normally planned with current conditions in mind.

For wreck diving Pattaya, the safest choice is always to dive with a professional local team that knows the sites, checks the conditions and gives a proper briefing before the dive.

Whether you want to dive the khram shipwreck, explore other Pattaya wrecks or continue your PADI training, we are happy to help you choose the right option.

Contact Jomtien Dive Center today and let’s plan your next scuba diving Pattaya adventure the right way.