A tour boat, “Sawan Tour,” has capsized near the Surin Islands in Phang Nga province, leading to a large-scale search and rescue operation. Vice Admiral Suchart Thammapitakwet of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command is leading the operation.
The incident took place on Dec 23 close to Tornla Island, about four nautical miles from the Surin Islands National Park. The fishing boat “Pornsupranee 9” rescued 16 people from the sunken tour boat. Efforts are still underway to find two missing persons: Millicent Margaret Amanda Jane, a 56-year-old British tourist, and Samniang Thaichana, a 60-year-old Thai cook.
The search has been intensified with the help of naval security and national park officials. The Royal Thai Navy’s SARMAP system is being used to target the search area, about 22 nautical miles northwest of South Surin Island.
Aircraft and the patrol boat “995” are also part of the search operation, focusing on areas where the missing individuals are likely to be, considering the local water currents. The Command Center is also working with local fishermen and agencies in Phang Nga to help in the search. (NNT)
