BANGKOK – The Royal Thai Navy is continuing the search operation for the last five missing sailors and marines of the HTMS Sukhothai corvette that sank during a storm in the Gulf of Thailand a month ago.
In a statement, the navy said the search operation is focused on the beaches and coastal areas as the sea water level is at its lowest.
It said the search operations on Wednesday by rescue teams and local fishermen focused on the beaches at Koh Sing and Koh Sang as well as the coastal areas along Bang Saphan Noi in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
“Today, the search focuses along Red Cliff in Bang Saphan Noi,” it said.
On Wednesday, navy chief Choengchai Chomchoengpaet said the rescue teams will continue searching for the missing crewmen.
He said the operation to salvage the sunken warship will be initiated in April when better sea conditions are expected.
On December 18, the corvette, HTMS Sukhothai carrying 105 sailors sank during bad weather about 20 nautical miles off the Prachuap Khiri Khan province at about 11.30pm.
A total of 76 sailors were rescued while another 24 were found dead. – Bernama, January 20, 2023
