Mr Stashkov arrived at the popular tourist islands on board the sailing yacht Revolution, skippered by fellow Russian national and friend Mikhail Komogorov*, explained V/Adm Surapol Kuptaphan, commander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command.
“Mr Komogorov said that he left Chalong Pier in Phuket and arrived at the Similian Islands and moored at Koh Miang (Island 4) on Monday,” V/Adm Surapol told The Phuket News.
In his report to Navy search teams, Mr Komogorov said, “We stopped the boat near Ko Miang or Ko Si. While I was sleeping, my friend went swimming in the sea, but after I woke up I could not see him.
“I called out his name and shouted, ‘Where are you?’ I drove the boat around the island twice looking for him, but I couldn’t find him.”
Naval officers have called in fishing vessels and tourist boats in the area to assist in the search, V/Adm Surapol said.
“They are still searching, and will continue the search for now,” he said.
*Initially the name was wrongly reported as Vladimir, updated on November 3.