Sudden change in sea conditions now blamed for foundering of RTN Sukhothai corvette

More than a year after the sinking of HTMS Sukhothai, a Rattanakosin-class corvette, in the Gulf of Thailand off Prachuap Khiri Khan province on the night of December 18^th, 2022, the Royal Thai Navy has blamed a sudden, unexpected and extreme change in weather and sea conditions for the foundering of the vessel and the deaths of 24 officers and men. Five are still unaccounted for.

In a press conference held today, Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Adoong Phan-iam disclosed their findings, saying that the abrupt change in weather resulted in waves as high as six metres.

The Sukhothai was only rated to navigating in seas of up to a maximum of 4 metres, he said, adding that the 6-metre waves made it impossible for the captain to control the vessel, eventually resulting in it sinking.

He claimed that six other vessels, including a 2,123 tonne cargo freighter, also sank in the Gulf on that…