Lt Col Panya Chaichana of the Phuket Marine Police confirmed to The Phuket News that the body was found in Si Kao District, on Trang’s northern coast, at about 9am.
The body found was that of a man estimated to be 40-50 years old. Police estimate that the man died about five days ago.
“We presume this is the body of the final missing crewman from the barge,” Col Panya said. “We will ask other crew from the boat to identify the body tomorrow.”
The body of the barge captain, Visanu Thongbai, was found further south along the Trang coast on Saturday (July 11). His remains were identified by his widowed wife. (See story here.)
Three crewmen from the barge were recovered alive last Wednesday (July 8) after more than two days adrift on empty drums. (See story here).
The fourth crew member, 46-year-old Myanmar native Thar Hlaing, was found alive by the crew of a foreign-registered yacht near Koh Ngai, just south of Koh Lanta Yai and close to where Krabi border with Trang, on Friday (July 10). (See story here.)
– Yonlaphat Boonsusakul