Search for 5 missing Thai sailors continues after a month

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, Royal Thai Navy said the search operation focus on the beaches and the coastal areas as the sea water level is at its lowest level.

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 and the coastal areas along Bang Saphan Noi in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

"Today, the search focus along Red Cliff in Bang Saphan Noi," it said.

On Wednesday, Navy Chief Adm Choengchai Chomchoengpaet said the rescue teams would continue searching for the missing crewmen.

He said that the operation to salvage the sunken warship would be initiated in April when better sea conditions expected.

On Dec 18, the corvette, HTMS Sukhothai carrying 105 sailors sunk during bad weather about 20 nautical miles off the Prachuap Khiri Khan province at about 11.30pm (local time).

A total of 76 sailors were rescued while another 24 found dead.

-- BERNAMA