BANG SAPHAN: Thailand deployed aircraft, boats and rescue teams off its central coast on Tuesday in a race against the clock to locate 30 missing marines, who abandoned a warship that sank at the weekend in choppy waters.
The HTMS Sukhothai warship, a U.S.-made corvette in use since 1987, capsized in the Gulf of Thailand after being knocked over by four-metre (13 ft) waves and strong winds.
The vessel suffered an engine malfunction as it took on water and went down just before midnight on Sunday about 20 nautical miles off the coast, said navy spokesperson Admiral Ruth Manthatpain.
The boat was carrying 105 military personnel, of whom 75 were rescued but dozens more had to abandon ship in rafts and wearing life jackets.
Vice Admiral Pichai Lorchusakul, the regional navy commander, said finding the men on Tuesday would be critical given the time they had been exposed to the elements.
"Life jacket, life buoy and their floating technique allow us 48 hours to save their lives," he said late on Monday. "We will try to do as much as we can to save them."
Weather conditions were better on Tuesday, he added, as the navy and air force deployed several ships, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters to locate the 30 marines still missing.
One of the men was found late on Monday in waters off Prachuap Khiri Khan province, clinging to a buoy.
"He was floating in the water for 10 hours. He was still conscious, so we could take him out of the water safely," said Captain Kraipich Korawee-Paparwit, commander of the HTMS Kraburi, one of the warships involved in the search mission.
Relatives of the missing gathered at rescue centres awaiting news of loved ones.
"I'm very concerned about everything with these weather conditions and wind. It's now been too long (for them to be in the sea) to struggle against the tides and weather," said Malinee Pudphong, aunt of a missing 21-year-old marine, Saharat Esa.
Though military accidents, often with aircraft, are not uncommon in Thailand, incidents involving navy vessels have been rare in recent years.
Reuters
Tue Dec 20 2022
Crew members from the capsized HTMS Sukhothai warship receive medical treatment in the Gulf of Thailand. - Royal Thai Navy/Handout via REUTERS
Astronomers reveal 3D structure of an alien planet's atmosphere
Astronomers find three layers on a scorching gas planet orbiting a star larger and hotter than the sun.
Public flips car involved in road accident to rescue child
According to JBPM, members of the public at the scene took initial action to rescue the victim before the fire brigade arrived.
Ramsay reveals hundreds of lucky cat statues stolen from new restaurant
Gordon Ramsay says about 477 Japanese cat models called maneki-neko were stolen from his Lucky Cat 22 Bishopsgate restaurant.
Zayn Rayyan case: Two child witnesses complete testimony today
So far, 20 prosecution witnesses, including the two children, have been called for this trial, according to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.
Macron says he will tell Trump not to be weak with Putin in Washington visit
Emmanuel Macron says showing any weakness to Russia's Vladimir Putin would make it harder to deal with China and Iran.
Israeli PM Netanyahu says Hamas will pay for not returning Shiri Bibas
Netanyahu accuse Hamas of acting "in an unspeakably cynical manner" by placing body of a Gaza woman in the coffin instead of Shiri Bibas.
Trump pulls US out of key global climate assessment, sources say
The US is a co-chair along with Malaysia of a working group on climate mitigation, or ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Japan to court Tesla on Nissan investment, FT reports
The group hopes Tesla will invest strategically, believing it's interested in acquiring Nissan's US plants, the report says.
185 children linked to GISB handed over to families - Exco
The children have been handed over to their families on bond with conditions by the court.
IRS fires 6,000 employees as Trump slashes US government
The move will eliminate roughly 6% of the agency's workforce in the midst of the busy tax-filing season.
Elon Musk wields chainsaw at conservative gathering, a gift from Argentina's Milei
This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy, says Elon Musk.
![[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41740112820_KhazarUniversity.jpg "[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide")
[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide
For Azerbaijanis, the Khojaly genocide is more than a historical event - it is a collective trauma that shapes their identity and worldview.
Israeli military says body released by Hamas is not of a hostage
Two bodies were identified as infants, but a third, believed to be their mother, Shiri, didn't match any hostage and remains unidentified.
Key takeaways from Trump-Putin talks: Ukraine, energy, NATO, sanctions
Here's what is known so far about what was discussed.
![[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-09/41726025526_UnitedNations.jpg "[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights")
[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights
For as long as rights are understood on Occidental terms, problems would inevitably remain. What is needed is an appreciation of diversity.
Argentina court clears 3 accused in singer Liam Payne's death
The court upheld the pre-trial detention of a hotel employee and a restaurant waiter held since last month.
Spanish ex-soccer boss Rubiales sentenced to pay fine over kiss without consent
Court also acquits Luis Rubiales' three co-defendants accused of attempting to coerce Jenni Hermoso into saying the kiss was consensual.
King’s health significantly improved after treatment - PM
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he had the opportunity to seek an audience with the King twice during his official visit to Bahrain.
Why Trump wants the US Department of Education shut down
The vast majority of US children attend the country's free public schools, which are a big employer and economic engine.
How did a jet flip upside down on a Toronto runway and everyone survive?
Here is what we know about this accident and similar crashes.