Navy Commander Resigns Over Corvette Sinking

[webfact]

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The commander of the HTMS Sukhothai, Capt Phichitchai Thueannadee, announced his intention to resign from the Royal Thai Navy, accepting responsibility for the 2022 sinking incident that resulted in the loss of 29 lives.

 

This declaration came after a navy investigation attributed the disaster to a combination of severe weather conditions, unexpected structural damages, and what it described as a reckless decision not to seek immediate refuge at the nearest port. 

 

The corvette sank in the Gulf of Thailand off Prachuap Khiri Khan province on December 18, 2022, during a voyage from Sattahip Naval Base to Chumphon province, amid conditions that far exceeded the vessel's operational wave height limits.

 

Royal Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief Adung Phan-iam detailed in a press conference how unexpectedly high waves of up to six meters led to significant damage, including a dislocated wave breaker and subsequent ruptures on the vessel. The investigation pointed out the absence of a tugboat for safe docking at Bang Saphan port as a reason for the commander's decision to head back to Sattahip, a choice later scrutinized for its lack of caution.

 

Despite Capt Phichitchai's forthcoming resignation and his assertion of the crew's exhaustive efforts to manage the crisis, the navy disclosed he would be confined for 15 days but would not face civil litigation. The Navy also considered the retrieval of the sunken corvette from its resting place at a depth of 50 meters but deemed it prohibitively expensive and uncertain of success. 

 

Expressing regret over the incident and detailing his rationale for attempting to return to Sattahip, Capt Phichitchai said he was driven by the vessel's then-stable condition, which later deteriorated as weather conditions worsened.

 

by Krajangwit Johjit

 

Source: NNT 2024-04-11

 

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[DaddyWarbucks]

As well he should.

[Callmeishmael]

It is always the captain's responsibility, even if it wasn't directly his fault.

[ChrisY1]

He should have been the last to leave the sinking vessel....he wasn't

[brianthainess]

He should have been sacked, by resigning he will keep his pension, crafty git. 

[Will B Good]

Sounds like, having made the reckless decision to set sail, he couldn't lose the infamous "Thai face" by setting a course for any port in a storm.....

[spidermike007]

If this guy had been on the ball they likely could have reached the port prior to the ship sinking. I don't know if it was a lack of experience, a lack of intelligence, a lack of planning, or if the man was just simply unqualified for the job. Under most circumstances he would have resigned immediately, why this is taken several months is anyone's guess.

 

The Thai Navy is just one of the truly pathetic branches of the Thai military, the army is number one by a longshot, in uselessness and massive sucking of the country's resources, the Navy seems to be number two, and I guess the air force is probably the most competent of the three, but that's not saying much. 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The commander of the HTMS Sukhothai, Capt Phichitchai Thueannadee, announced his intention to resign from the Royal Thai Navy, accepting responsibility for the 2022 sinking incident that resulted in the loss of 29 lives

His intention to resign...

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite Capt Phichitchai's forthcoming resignation and his assertion of the crew's exhaustive efforts to manage the crisis, the navy disclosed he would be confined for 15 days but would not face civil litigation.

Sweet deal..

[newbee2022]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The commander of the HTMS Sukhothai, Capt Phichitchai Thueannadee, announced his intention to resign from the Royal Thai Navy, accepting responsibility for the 2022 sinking incident that resulted in the loss of 29 lives.

 

This declaration came after a navy investigation attributed the disaster to a combination of severe weather conditions, unexpected structural damages, and what it described as a reckless decision not to seek immediate refuge at the nearest port. 

 

The corvette sank in the Gulf of Thailand off Prachuap Khiri Khan province on December 18, 2022, during a voyage from Sattahip Naval Base to Chumphon province, amid conditions that far exceeded the vessel's operational wave height limits.

 

Royal Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief Adung Phan-iam detailed in a press conference how unexpectedly high waves of up to six meters led to significant damage, including a dislocated wave breaker and subsequent ruptures on the vessel. The investigation pointed out the absence of a tugboat for safe docking at Bang Saphan port as a reason for the commander's decision to head back to Sattahip, a choice later scrutinized for its lack of caution.

 

Despite Capt Phichitchai's forthcoming resignation and his assertion of the crew's exhaustive efforts to manage the crisis, the navy disclosed he would be confined for 15 days but would not face civil litigation. The Navy also considered the retrieval of the sunken corvette from its resting place at a depth of 50 meters but deemed it prohibitively expensive and uncertain of success. 

 

Expressing regret over the incident and detailing his rationale for attempting to return to Sattahip, Capt Phichitchai said he was driven by the vessel's then-stable condition, which later deteriorated as weather conditions worsened.

 

by Krajangwit Johjit

 

Source: NNT 2024-04-11

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revoke his license. Let him pay compensation to the deceased and put him behind bars for the next 20 years.

I count on Thai Justice!🙏

[sammieuk1]

Any vacancies for nautilus in the submarine corp? 🤔

[mikeymike100]

Resign, should have got 10 years in prison!

But it is amazing Thailand!

[connda]

Hear that sound <slap slap slap>.  That's the sound of someone's hands being slapped with wet bamii noodles. 

[connda]

12 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Resign, should have got 10 years in prison!

But it is amazing Thailand!

Had a non-commissioned elisted been responsible they would be in prison for a long time.
But an elite officer and a gentleman.  Retired, no doubt with full benefits and honors.

[CanadaSam]

Losing "face", the inability to admit and apologize for one's mistakes, is, I think, the single greatest contributor to Thai backwardness and even poverty.

[trainman34014]

He needed aTug to help berth a Corvette; i wouldn't let him sail a Duck on my Bath Water !

[IAMHERE]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

the navy disclosed he would be confined for 15 days but would not face civil litigation.

 

who is it that decided no civil litigation?

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, IAMHERE said:

 

who is it that decided no civil litigation?

Who is really in charge of the Thai government?

[Denim]

2 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Who is really in charge of the Thai government?

 

That would be Admiral Bob Smith. 

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

he was driven by the vessel's then-stable condition, which later deteriorated as weather conditions worsened.

The cause for the sinking was reported as not having batoned down all the ship's hatches and ports, specifically to the engine room that lost all power. The ship should have otherwise survived worsened weather conditions. A ship captain is responsible for survival of the ship and its crew in all conditions for which the ship was designed.  

[liddelljohn]

he should have gone down with his ship....  but as he did not he should now do the honorable thing and swallow his revolver..

[john donson]

and they want a sub, maybe they forget to close the hatch...