Thailand, US Navy team up for HTMS Sukhothai salvage

BANGKOK, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and the United States Navy (USN) will partner to conduct a light salvage of the HTMS Sukhothai, which sank in the Gulf of Thailand in 2022.

In a statement, Public Affairs Office of the United States Embassy, Bangkok  said the joint salvage will be conducted as part of the Cobra Gold 2024 exercise which is scheduled to take place from Feb 27 to March 10.

“It (joint salvage) is made possible by the longstanding friendship between our navies, and through decades of joint exercises, operations, and people-to-people ties.

“We  are committed to conducting a safe and thorough salvage that honours the sailors lost and brings some closure to their families and friends,” it said.

HTMS 'Sukhothai', which was carrying 105 sailors, developed engine failure and sank about 20 nautical miles from Prachuap Khiri Khan Province about 11.30 pm on Dec 18 in 2022.

RTN rescued 76 sailors from the incident, but 24 were found dead, with an additional five presumed lost at sea as their bodies were never recovered.

-- BERNAMA