BANGKOK: The Royal Thai Navy is still searching for the 31 missing crew members of one of its corvette, HTMS Sukhothai, that sank during a storm at the Gulf of Thailand on late Sunday night.
Navy spokesman Adm Pokkrong Monthatpalin said as of 12 noon (local time) Monday, 75 of the 106 crew onboard have been rescued.
He said the corvette sank in choppy water 20 nautical miles from the pier at Bang Saphan in Prachuap Khiri Khan at about 11.30pm (local time) on Sunday.
It was reported strong waves caused the water to flood the hull, causing engine and electrical malfunction. Subsequently, the vessel began listing to one side.
“Rescue operation was launched immediately. Navy vessels and helicopters were deployed to the scene,” he said.
The US-built corvette, HTMS Sukhothai was in use since 1987. – BERNAMA
