UPDATE: Officials later confirmed that the body of the missing fisherman Wisit Songkun, 44, a resident of Moo 1, Chalong, was found this morning (Sept 11).
Search efforts were launched at 2pm yesterday, with agencies coordinating at Chalong Pier. Taking part in the search are the Phuket Fisheries Office, a patrol boat from the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command at Cape Panwa and the Tourist Assistance Center.
A Chalong Hospital ambulance arrived to stand by to provide emergency medical care for any people brought ashore, while Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) President Rewat Areerob, Rawai Mayor Aroon Soros and Pol Lt Col Jaruwat Phonrat arrived to coordinate efforts.
The search teams recovered the boat’s two crew members, who survived by swimming to shore. They were brought back to Chalong Pier and rushed to Chalong Hospital.
Of the other two people on the boat, the search teams recovered the body of Witthaya ‘Aod’ Maliwan, while the search continues for Mr Khwan Ruea, who remains missing.
Abidin Tummali, 46, one of the survivors, said that the four departed Palai Pier on a small three-seat fiberglass boat at 10am to go fishing.
At that time it was raining but the waves were not big, Mr Abidin said.
However, the waves grew in size and came at the boat from overlapping directions. The boat started taking on water, and sank, he said.
Sittiphon Muangsong of the Phuket Fisheries Office confirmed that the search for Mr Kwan continues today.