Myanmar
Search Efforts Intensify for Missing Myanmar Fishermen After Boat Sinks in Thailand
Five crew members remain unaccounted for following the sinking of the S. Kanchanawari 888 off Chonburi's coast during severe weather.
Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing off the coast of Chonburi Province, Thailand, for five Myanmar fishermen who remain missing after their fishing vessel, the S. Kanchanawari 888, sank during severe weather on Monday. The boat, carrying 22 crew members—20 Myanmar nationals and two Thai crew members—capsized approximately 40 nautical miles from Laem Pu Chao in Sattahip district due to gale-force winds and heavy rain.
As of now, 16 crew members have been rescued, while the Thai captain has been confirmed dead. The Royal Thai Navy has mobilized specialized divers and teams from local foundations to search both the wreck and the surrounding area. They are utilizing advanced ocean current modeling to predict potential drift trajectories, which is crucial for locating the missing crew members.
“The search operation is expected to continue until the missing crew members are located or until conditions dictate otherwise.”Royal Thai Navy
The missing fishermen have been identified as Soe Lat (38), San Htike (47), Naing Oo (45), Htun Lwin (22), and Khin Maung Aye (47). Authorities are yet to confirm whether any of these individuals are trapped inside the wreckage. The search operation is expected to continue until the missing crew members are located or until conditions dictate otherwise.
Local reports indicate that the incident occurred late at night, around 10 PM local time, when the vessel was overwhelmed by high waves. The search teams, including Navy SEAL divers, are assessing underwater visibility and safety conditions before deploying divers to inspect the wreck.
“This lack of communication has led local migrant support networks to take the initiative in monitoring the situation.”Local Migrant Support Network
In the aftermath of the sinking, the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Naypyidaw have yet to issue official statements regarding support for the victims' families. This lack of communication has led local migrant support networks to take the initiative in monitoring the situation and providing assistance.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that approximately 4.6 million Myanmar nationals currently reside in Thailand, with about 64% registered with the Department of Employment. The plight of migrant workers in the region has been a persistent issue, often exacerbated by hazardous working conditions and insufficient support from authorities.