Chopper wreckage found, three bodies recovered

NAN, Aug 18 -- The downed helicopter carrying Natural Resources and Environment Ministry permanent secretary and aides which crashed in bad weather in Thailand's mountainous north was found early Wednesday in Nan's Na Muean district.

Three bodies have been recovered, but have not yet been identified, while two others remain missing.

Hundreds of Thai army troops were sent to search for the downed chopper after it went missing from radar screens and radio contact ceased Tuesday during heavy rainstorms in the region.

Five people were reportedly in the helicopter including the ministry's permanent secretary Saksit Tridej and senior officials.

Mr Saksit was travelling from Phitsanulok to preside over a religious ceremony in Nan.

The officials searching for the missing helicopter reported finding the wreckage early Wednesday morning at Mueang Li of Na Muean distict of the northern province of Nan.

The helicopter was broken into pieces and is believed to have hit trees before the final impact.

Two bodies were initially found at the scene. One, believed to be a crew member, was thrown from the helicopter. A third body was found later.

Suwit Khunkitti, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, went to Nan to supervise the search and rescue mission.

He admitted that the helicopter had been in use for over 20 years and that it carried no emergency broadcast signal equipment. (MCOT online news)