Accident Air Force Officer Missing After Boat Capsizes in Mekong River During Drug Patrol

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of SiamNews.

 

A Royal Thai Air Force officer is still missing after a boat carrying three military personnel capsized in the fast-flowing Mekong River during a reconnaissance mission to investigate suspected narcotics activity.

 

The incident occurred on the evening of 10 June, near Bung Khi Lek village in Na Wang subdistrict, Khemarat district, Ubon Ratchathani province. The officers were conducting a patrol as part of an anti-narcotics operation along the Thai-Lao border.

 

The three servicemen were identified as:

 

• Flight Sergeant Major Sukkasem Promphanchai, Special Operations Unit 2, Company 2, Battalion 2, Special Operations Regiment, Air Force Security Command (missing),

 

• Flight Sergeant Major Suwat Phoolanates, Weapons Specialist, Company 3, Sniper Regiment, Battalion 1, Special Operations Regiment, Air Force Security Command,

 

• Sergeant Chitsanupong Atpanya, Senior Specialist, Special Operations, Company 2, Battalion 2, Special Operations Regiment, Air Force Security Command.

 

The officers, after spotting a suspicious fertiliser sack believed to contain illegal drugs on a rock formation about 500 metres from the Thai riverbank, borrowed a local fishing boat to approach the location. However, the vessel capsized in strong currents and whirlpools near the rocky islet.

 

Two of the officers managed to swim to safety, but Flight Sergeant Major Sukkasem Promphanchai was swept away and is currently still missing.

 

Divers from the Royal Thai Navy were deployed to search the area. While the sunken boat has been located, there is still no sign of the missing officer as the search continues.

 

The special operations team had recently been deployed to reinforce border security efforts following the redeployment of the 23rd Ranger Regiment to the Chong Bok area of Nam Yuen district, also in Ubon Ratchathani.

 

Authorities say the mission was part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking across the Mekong, a major conduit for narcotics smuggling in the region.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from SiamNews 2025-06-12

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Body of Air Force Officer Recovered After Drowning in Mekong During Drug Surveillance Mission

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The body of Flight Sergeant Major Sukasem Promphanchaichai, an officer with the Royal Thai Air Force’s Special Operations Unit, was recovered on the morning of 12 June, after he drowned during a drug surveillance operation on the Mekong River in Khong Chiam district.

 

At approximately 00:30, personnel from the Mekong River Peacekeeping Unit deployed two patrol boats to retrieve the fallen officer’s body, which was found floating roughly only 20 metres from where the boat capsized near Bung Khee Lek village, Na Waeng subdistrict, Khemarat district. The operation was overseen by General Manat Chandee, Chief of Army Staff, along with senior military officers and rescue agencies.

 

The body was transported to Khemarat Hospital for an initial examination, before being transferred to the forensic department at Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani. It will then be flown to the Air Force Headquarters in Bangkok for official ceremonies and funeral proceedings.

 

The incident occurred on the evening of 10 June, during a joint reconnaissance mission involving three Air Force personnel. Flight Sgt. Maj. Sukasem, along with Flight Sgt. Maj. Suwat Phoolnates and Sergeant Chitsanupong Atpanya, had been patrolling the banks of the Mekong to investigate suspected drug smuggling activity.

 

Using binoculars, they spotted a suspicious fertiliser sack believed to contain illegal narcotics, placed on a rock formation about 500 metres from the Thai riverbank. The officers borrowed a local fishing boat to approach the location, but were caught in powerful currents and whirlpools. The boat capsized, throwing all three officers into the river.

 

While two of the officers managed to swim back to shore, Flight Sgt. Maj. Sukasem was swept away and went missing. His M16 rifle, along with those of his colleagues, was also lost during the incident.

 

The Royal Thai Air Force has expressed its condolences to the family of Flight Sgt. Maj. Sukasem, honouring his sacrifice in the line of duty during a mission to protect the nation from the scourge of narcotics.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-13