Six bodies found in Sattahip fishing boat salvage

Six bodies have been found inside the wreck of the S. Kanchanawari 888, a fishing vessel which sank around 50 nautical miles off Samae San in Sattahip, Chonburi.

The recovery ends the search for six Myanmar crew members reported missing after the boat went down during a storm at about 10pm on 21 September.

All 22 crew were thrown into the sea when the vessel sank between Samae San Bay and Prachuap Khiri Khan Bay. Fifteen survived, while the Thai captain, 46-year-old Wichan Ma-iang, was confirmed dead.

The six missing crew were named as Soe Lae, 20; Naing U, 45; Tho Luai, 22; Din Mao Ae, 47; San Thikwe, 47; and Yi Lin, 22. All were Myanmar nationals.

Wreck towed back to Sattahip

The boat's operator began the salvage operation at 11am on 29 September, using three fishing boats - S. Kanchanawari 19, S. Kanchanawari 79 and S. Kanchanawari 89 - to tow the wreck back to shore.

Divers attached dozens of 200-litre plastic drums to the hull to help lift it partially above the surface and make it easier to tow.

The convoy travelled 50 nautical miles to Chuk Samet Pier at Sattahip Commercial Port, within Sattahip Naval Base. It arrived safely at 3.20pm on 30 September, completing a journey reported to have taken 28 hours.

Divers from the Sawang Rojanathammasathan Sattahip rescue foundation supported the operation and monitored safety in case of an emergency at sea. The vessel will later be lifted upright by crane and pumped dry so that it can be inspected.

Bodies found in confined spaces

During the recovery, officials found the bodies trapped in small compartments inside the boat. Water rescue personnel later confirmed that six bodies had been recovered.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

The remains were described as decomposed and have been sent to Sattahip Hospital, Km 10, for post-mortem examinations and formal identity checks.

Relatives of the six missing men travelled to the pier during the salvage operation. They invited Phra Khru Sangharak Wichai, a monk from Wat Chong Samae San, to conduct a ceremony intended to invite the spirits of the dead home before their bodies are taken for religious rites.

The case will be especially closely watched by Myanmar migrant-worker communities in Thailand, as the six crew members listed as missing were all Myanmar nationals. Formal forensic identification will be important before families can make arrangements for funeral or repatriation procedures.

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2 October 2026