The ill-fated HTMS Sukhothai set sail into rough seas heading for Chumphon on December 18th without its chief engineer, Vice Admiral Pichai Lorchusakul, commander of the First Naval Area Command, told the media on yesterday (Saturday).

 

He said that the ship normally had a complement of 106, but the chief engineer, who he declined to name, had business to attend to onshore and was not aboard HTMS Sukhothai on December 18th adding. If the chief engineer is absent, his deputy takes charge of overseeing the ship’s engines, he explained.

 

He also said that the captain of the ship, whose name has alsonot been disclosed, will be the person questioned about the loss of the vessel by the Royal Thai Navy’s investigators.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/chief-engineer-not-on-board-the-ill-fated-sukhothai-navy-vessel/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-02

 

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1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

its chief engineer

had a lucky escape.  I note the captain was rescued presumably because he had a vest and life raft not a polystyrene box.

Still hoping there are survivor's.  Why even say that for the poor grieving families?  Let's see who is the fall guy.  It seems Cha Cha has kept out of this stink.  But he was in ultimate charge of all. He should resign and  Seems like head of the military needs sacking. And on down 

"He also said that the captain of the ship, whose name has also not been disclosed"

 

foreign press have disclosed already his name - Lieutenant Colonel Pichitchai Tuannadee. Bangkok Post spells his surname Tuennadee.

But certainly it's not easy to find out his name, as it was a military secret. Why his commanders still do so?

 

his fb is https://www.facebook.com/pichitchai.kittyman/

but there is nothing there since this tragedy.

Looks, like his was specialising on fb in selling protective talismans.

Part of profits were going to charities, underprivileged children and temples. But only part of those profits.

That one is from 2.12.22, but there are many more similar posts. 

https://www.facebook.com/pichitchai.kittyman/posts/pfbid02Mku4kbn7baPUWGKvqSmmTNEXNVnQ3gesbtKwHroWvuA5wwVUVDqP85GHWSsiR9jgl

 

November

https://www.facebook.com/pichitchai.kittyman/posts/pfbid0272mPqXzkpZGSByRH3KxvLazuhoBG6L16oGQGKKUj8csE3YteLWNLZfayM5nTPzadl

 

So he was more occupied with spiritual protection, than the real one for him and his subordinates.

Possibly he was a religious nut, just looking at this fb page 

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He also said that the captain of the ship, whose name has alsonot been disclosed, will be the person questioned about the loss of the vessel by the Royal Thai Navy’s investigators.

Really!

Akin to let a passenger plane fly across continent with just the first officer in command, Thailand it's seems can afford it's self to lose a battleship and a bunch of young soldiers and then try sweep everything under the carpet...

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

...the captain of the ship, whose name has also not been disclosed, will be the person questioned...

it's obvious, if you ask me! actually the captain should be the very person to be questioned

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

but the chief engineer, who he declined to name, had business to attend to onshore and was not aboard HTMS

Just what business was that, that was so important for a Chief Engineer not to sail with his ship ? restaurant, golf club, or did he know the state of the ship.?

A tragedy that should never have happened, but in true Thai fashion NO ONE will be held accountable.

 

Very sad

the ship captain should be charged with man slaughter seeing he is solely responsible for the ship and the crew, really have to wonder if his position/rank was paid for seeing he obviously had no idea how to actually captain a ship and ensure it was fully fitted out(life vests/life boats) and in good condition, whatever happened to the captain goes down with the ship or being the last one off it, obviously his position meant he was never in any danger unlike his crew, again we see just how pathetic these supposed leaders are

A coverup has been underway since the ship sank and the men responsible for the death of so many innocent sailors will not be charged.  Those in higher places will blame scapegoats.  This is the Thai way.

2 hours ago, internationalism said:

"He also said that the captain of the ship, whose name has also not been disclosed"

 

foreign press have disclosed already his name - Lieutenant Colonel Pichitchai Tuannadee. Bangkok Post spells his surname Tuennadee.

But certainly it's not easy to find out his name, as it was a military secret. Why his commanders still do so?

 

his fb is https://www.facebook.com/pichitchai.kittyman/

but there is nothing there since this tragedy.

Looks, like his was specialising on fb in selling protective talismans.

Part of profits were going to charities, underprivileged children and temples. But only part of those profits.

That one is from 2.12.22, but there are many more similar posts. 

https://www.facebook.com/pichitchai.kittyman/posts/pfbid02Mku4kbn7baPUWGKvqSmmTNEXNVnQ3gesbtKwHroWvuA5wwVUVDqP85GHWSsiR9jgl

 

November

https://www.facebook.com/pichitchai.kittyman/posts/pfbid0272mPqXzkpZGSByRH3KxvLazuhoBG6L16oGQGKKUj8csE3YteLWNLZfayM5nTPzadl

 

So he was more occupied with spiritual protection, than the real one for him and his subordinates.

Possibly he was a religious nut, just looking at this fb page 

I guess the resale value of the talismans he's selling has plummeted since failing miserably to prevent the sinking.

2 hours ago, ezzra said:

Akin to let a passenger plane fly across continent with just the first officer in command, Thailand it's seems can afford it's self to lose a battleship and a bunch of young soldiers and then try sweep everything under the carpet...

The Chief Engineer does not stand watches at sea, neither will his deputy the 2nd Engineer. Day-to-day responsibility for engine room watches at sea falls to 3rd engineer and below.

2 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

The Chief Engineer does not stand watches at sea, neither will his deputy the 2nd Engineer. Day-to-day responsibility for engine room watches at sea falls to 3rd engineer and below.

Some do depends on the vessel and the company. Anyway they are always supposed to be there. They are supposed to be the expert on the maintenance of the ship, that includes structural integrity. I wouldn't really blame the chief. If he had reported the vessel unfit to sail I daresay no one would have listened and he would have been disciplined for making his superiors look bad.

On 1/2/2023 at 5:48 AM, snoop1130 said:

He said that the ship normally had a complement of 106, but the chief engineer, who he declined to name, had business to attend to onshore and was not aboard HTMS Sukhothai on December 18th adding. If the chief engineer is absent, his deputy takes charge of overseeing the ship’s engines, he explained.

Maybe he had a premonition.. or knew more.

Seems odd that a navy chief engineer would “ have business” that precluded him sailing with his ship. The chief was always on the one ship I sailed aboard.

if it was a scheduled sailing, not an emergency, there should not be any reason why any of the crew were no onboard.  They knew the sailing time, so any business should have been resolved beforehand.

White wash an cover-up being prepared.  The influential and important are taking care to keep out f this.

Will the captain be questioned in public hearings or all kept behind closed doors.

Are we sure there wasn't a Burmese fishing boat in the area?

Chief Engineer too busy with his Mia noi that weekend to sail. 

 

Mai bpen rai. 

On 1/2/2023 at 10:58 AM, lujanit said:

A coverup has been underway since the ship sank and the men responsible for the death of so many innocent sailors will not be charged.  Those in higher places will blame scapegoats.  This is the Thai way.

Quite so. The Captain should have been arrested immediately and interrogated?

Lets them try and  blame a couple of Burmese on this tragedy?