AT least 31 Thai Navy sailors were missing today after their vessel sank off the southeastern coast of Thailand, a naval spokesman said.

The HTMS Sukhothai was patrolling the Gulf of Thailand, roughly 20 nautical miles from Bang Saphan pier in southern Prachuap Khiri Khan, when it ran into strong tides and took on water late last night.

A rescue mission was launched after the vessel’s electronic system was damaged, with pictures shared by the navy showing the ship dramatically heeling to one side.

“We are still looking for 31 missing,” said navy spokesman Admiral Pogkrong Montradpalin, adding that the ship sank shortly after midnight.

“The ship’s operating systems stopped working, causing the ship to lose control,” he said earlier today.

A statement said 75 of 106 sailors on board were pulled from the waters in a rescue operation involving two seahawk helicopters, two frigates and one amphibious ship.

The search-and-rescue operation, which started at 7am, was ongoing, the statement added.

Around 11 naval officers were being treated at Bang Saphan hospital, while 40 others were being housed at shelters. – AFP, December 19, 2022.