Navy Ends Light Salvage Operation for HTMS Sukhothai

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, The Royal Thai Navy has concluded its 19-day mission to search the HTMS Sukhothai and to remove hazardous materials from the sunken corvette in the Gulf of Thailand with no missing persons found. Yesterday (March 11) marked the final day of the operation. Admiral Chartchai Thongsa-ard, Commander in Chief, Royal Thai Fleet said that a collaborative effort between the Thai Navy and the US Navy included the search for five missing persons. However, no traces of the missing personnel were found in the 11 compartments searched by divers or in the surrounding areas. Salvaged items from the vessel included the nameplate of the 'Sukhothai', a Buddha image, a ship's bell, the Royal Thai Navy flag, ship's mast and ship's anchor and a list of ship commanders. During the 19-day operation, the Thai-US Naval Task Group conducted a total of 82 diving sessions lasting 67 hours and 53 minutes, retrieving 58 pieces of evidence. All divers returned safely, marking the success of the joint operation bet ween the Thai and US navies. Regarding the current status of the HTMS Sukhothai, there were no adverse effects on navigation or the marine environment. No hazardous materials were left to affect marine life, and there was no residual military capability. The Thai Navy has no plans to lift the warship from the seabed. However, plans are underway to construct a memorial, using salvaged equipment and parts from this operation in honor of the bravery and sacrifices of the personnel who lost their lives or went missing. Source: Thai News Agency