China News Service, December 19th, a comprehensive report. The Royal Thai Navy announced on social media on the 19th the progress of the rescue of the royal warship "Sukhothai" that sank late at night on the 18th. 31 people are missing.
The Thai Navy stated on social media Twitter on the afternoon of the 19th that as of 12:00 noon on the 19th, 75 of the 106 crew members on board had been rescued, and the remaining 31 crew members were missing.
Among those rescued, 11 are being treated at Bang Saphan Hospital.
According to Agence France-Presse, late at night on the 18th, the Royal Thai Navy's "Sukhothai" warship encountered huge waves while patrolling the sea about 20 nautical miles away from Bang Saphan, causing water to enter the ship.
The ship lost control and sank off the southeast coast of Thailand due to damage to its electronic systems and malfunctioning operating systems.
A photo released by the Thai Navy showed the warship tilting sharply to one side after entering the water.
A spokesman for the Thai Navy said that the search and rescue operation began at 7:00 a.m. local time on the 19th and is still ongoing.
Two "Sea Hawk" helicopters, two frigates and an amphibious ship participated in the rescue operation.
According to Thailand's "Bangkok Post" report, the "Sukhothai" warship was built by the Tacoma Shipbuilding Company of the United States. It entered service in 1987 and has been in operation for nearly 36 years.