A communications dome, belonging to sunken HTMS Sukhothai, was found drifting at sea this morning (Thursday), but there is still no trace of the last five missing crew members, as the search continues for the 11th day today.
Vice Admiral Pichai Lorchusakul, commander of the First Naval Area Command, says that a marine police patrol found the dome, will retrieve and send it to the 44th Army District for safe keeping.
He said that search teams, comprising numerous navy vessels and aircraft, as well as vessels of other government agencies and private organisations, continue to scour the seas, from Bang Saphan district in Prachuap Khiri Khan down to Ban Don district of Surat Thani, for the last five crew members.
He said he still hopes that there may be survivors.
He disclosed that two more bodies have been identified. They are Chief Petty Officer First Class Kunakorn Jariyayot, aka “Mor Champ”, and Seaman Chalat Oythong.
“Mor Champ”, a medic on the HTMS Sukhothai, was initially rescued, but the then jumped back into the rough seas with a spare life jacket, saying that he wanted to help the others who were still in the water. He had not been seen again, until his body was recovered and eventually identified.