Lt Kwansirinat Thairat of Wichit Police Station was notified by fisherman Somkit Meekhuad, 58, at 3:30pm yesterday (Mar 15) that a body had been found floating in the sea close to Maithon Island, off Phuket.
The body was believed to be that of a Myanmar fishing boat crew member named ‘Man’ aged 45.
Phuket City Police and Kusoldharm rescue workers were sent to a beach at the Leam Tukkae sea gypsy village in Rassada where they found Mr Man’s wife, Money, 38, waiting for her husband’s body to arrive.
After the body was brought to the beach, police conducted an inspection and said that they believed Mr Man had died at least three days before the body was found.
His remains was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.
Mr Somkit told police, “I am the owner of the ‘Chock Ubon’ fishing boat. Mr Man and a Thai man named Sompong Rungsuwan, 35, went out on the boat on Tuesday (Mar 13). I was unable to go out on that day because I was sick.
“Mr Sompong told me that while they were looking for fish near Maithon Island, they dropped anchor and put out a fishing net. There were strong winds and waves and this caused the anchor to get stuck on a rock under the water.
“A big wave then hit the boat causing the boat to sink. When in the water Mr Man and Mr Sompong were also hit by big waves. A fishing boat named ‘Ching Chang’ found Mr Sompong struggling in the water. He was rescued while Mr Man disappeared,” Mr Somkit explained.
“I contacted the Phuket Marine Police and the Royal Thai Navy Third Naval Area Command to search for Mr man but they failed to find him.
“Yesterday we went out to search the area where the fishing boat sunk. After the boat was salvaged we continued to search for Mr Man around Maithon Island. Not long after we found Mr Man’s body,” Mr Somkit added.