Capt Panom Sangjan, 38, of the fishing boat Unyanumchok, reported that his vessel was sinking 16 nautical miles southeast of Koh Racha Yai at about 8:15am. (See story here.)
The Marine Police dispatched search vessels to rescue the crew, and the Royal Thai Navy tasked the HTMS Chonburi to join the effort.
Capt Panom and the five crew rescued – Ms Siriluk Yoarnak, 32; Sumet Janjareon, 18; and three Burmese named only as Loey, Thong, New – have been returned to Phuket and taken to to the PPAO Hospital in Rassada to receive treatment for hypothermia.
Meanwhile, the search continues for the six crew who were left adrift after their barge sank off Koh Racha Yai yesterday (July 7).
Strong winds and heavy rain have stifled efforts to locate the crew, who were last reported to be afloat on a makeshift raft of empty drums roped together. (See story here).