Pictures courtesy of SiamChon 

 

A tourist boat carrying 13 passengers sank between Koh Larn and Manwichai Beach, on 21 November 2025, leaving nine people missing and prompting an urgent multi-agency search. The Command Center for the Preservation of National Interest at Sea, Region 1 in Chonburi Province confirmed that only four individuals were initially located. Authorities say the condition and whereabouts of the remaining nine passengers remain unknown.

 

Rescue teams were deployed immediately after the incident was reported at approximately 16:15, through the maritime emergency network. The sinking occurred along a frequently travelled route connecting the mainland and popular tourist sites, raising concerns about the circumstances leading to the vessel’s rapid submersion. Initial details on the cause of the sinking have not yet been released by officials.

 

Local maritime authorities, supported by rescue volunteers and nearby vessels, have intensified search operations as daylight hours diminish. The immediate challenge has been locating individuals who may have been separated by currents in the area. Officials emphasised that the priority is to find survivors as quickly as possible.

 

Authorities are expected to expand the search radius into the evening and coordinate additional patrol boats and aerial support if required. Updates will be provided as soon as further information becomes available, particularly concerning the identities and conditions of the missing nine passengers. Officials have urged the public to avoid speculation until a full assessment is completed.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A tourist boat carrying 13 passengers sank near Koh Larn, leaving nine people missing.

• Four people were found soon after the incident, with search operations continuing urgently.

• Authorities have not yet provided information on the cause of the sinking.

 

 

 Adapted  by  Asean  Now from SaimChon 2025-11-21

 

It's windy, probably big waves, safety last remember 

Seems odd that the emergency services were notified immediately, yet none of the nine could be spotted.......I wonder if any of them had life jackets?

 

We went over to Koh Samet......much shorter trip I recall......boat was obviously overcrowded and they ran out of lifejackets.

 

Of course being British I would rather drown that complain.

And now it's dark.

UPDATE
All 15 Rescued After Tour Boat Sinks off Koh Lan

 

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

 

A full rescue was confirmed after a fishing tour boat sank between Koh Lan and Hat Manwichai on 21 November 2025, with all 15 people on board brought to safety. The incident prompted an urgent search after initial reports stated that 13 passengers were on the vessel and nine were missing in the water. The Marine National Interest Protection Command Centre Region 1 later confirmed that all crew members and anglers had been located.

 

The emergency began when officials in Chonburi received a report of a sinking tourist vessel operating on the route between Koh Lan and Hat Manwichai. At the time of the first response, only four individuals had been found, leaving nine unaccounted for as rescue teams mobilised. Agencies including Pattaya rescue units, the Royal Thai Navy’s Region 1 command and local disaster prevention teams joined the operation.

 

Early confusion over the number of people on board led to heightened concern as search efforts intensified across the area. Officials stated that the missing individuals’ fate was initially unknown, prompting a large-scale maritime search. Rescue boats and personnel covered the route to locate those believed to be in the water.

 

The situation changed when the Marine National Interest Protection Command Centre Region 1 issued an update confirming all 15 individuals were safe. The agency said, “All have now been rescued, including the crew and anglers, a total of 15 persons,” citing information from the Pattaya City Disaster Prevention and Mitigation team on Koh Lan. Following this confirmation, authorities announced an end to search operations.

 

The successful rescue concluded what had begun as a high-risk maritime emergency involving multiple agencies. The swift response demonstrated coordinated action from naval units, local authorities, and volunteer rescue teams operating in challenging sea conditions. Officials have yet to release further details on the cause of the sinking or whether any follow-up inspections will be conducted.

 

Khaosod reported that authorities are expected to review incident reports and safety procedures linked to the route between Koh Lan and Hat Manwichai. Maritime agencies may assess whether additional monitoring or preventive measures are required. Any further updates from the Marine National Interest Protection Command Centre Region 1 will likely address safety recommendations and procedural steps.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• All 15 people on the sunken tour boat, including crew and anglers, were successfully rescued.

• Initial reports suggested nine people were missing, prompting a large multi-agency search.

• Authorities have ended search operations and are expected to review the incident.

 

 Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Khaosod 2025-11-21

 

Troll post removed @blaze master

All 15 Rescued
 

Phew. About time we had some good news in this messed up world of bad news. 

The wind today was the strongest I can ever remember in Pattaya.  Very unwise to take the ferry in these conditions. Also , some of those old wooden ferry boats look dilapidated. Good news all were rescued. 

UPDATE
Fishermen & Captain Rescued After Seven Hours at Sea After Fishing Boat Sinks Off Pattaya

 

Pictures courtesy of SiamChon

 

Twelve fishermen, including a child and the boat Captain were rescued safely after their two-tier fishing boat sank in rough seas between Koh Larn and Koh Manwichai, around 15 nautical miles (30 km) from Pattaya. The group spent more than seven hours clinging to debris before rescue teams reached them. All survivors were transported to Pattaya for medical evaluation, suffering from hypothermia and exhaustion.

 

The alarm was raised at 16:30 when the Marine Disaster Prevention Radio Center, in coordination with the Marine Enforcement Command Center (Chonburi Province), received reports of a vessel foundering. Pattaya Marine Rescue Unit and Sawang Boriboon Pattaya Foundation dispatched inflatable and speedboats, while tourist police, Pattaya City Police and ambulances stood by on shore. Reports incorrectly suggested that they were tourists, but authorities confirmed all were Thai nationals on a fishing trip. The details reportedly being clarified once the casualties were back on land.

 

The boat had departed Laem Bali Hai Pier in the morning, heading to fishing grounds near Koh Phai. Severe weather conditions prevailed in Pattaya Bay, with waves of one to two metres and strong gusts. The Marine Department had raised red flags, prohibiting small vessels from leaving port. The captain reported that the vessel encountered heavy seas and bilge pump failure, which led to it taking on water and eventually sinking.

 

By 17:00, rescue teams reported they had had located and recovered all the individuals, including the child. Survivors were described as exhausted, shivering violently and in need of urgent care. Authorities emphasised the risks of venturing into open water during adverse weather and the importance of following official warnings.

 

The Daily News reported that investigations are ongoing to determine the precise cause of the bilge pump malfunction and whether mechanical or maintenance issues contributed to the sinking. Officials will also review safety compliance and interview the captain and crew. The wreck location has been logged and further surveys are expected once conditions improve.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Thai fishermen, including a child and boat captain were rescued after over seven hours adrift in rough seas.

• The two-tier fishing boat sank due to heavy waves and bilge pump failure.

• Authorities are investigating the vessel’s condition and reviewing maritime safety procedures.

 

 Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Dailynews   2025-11-21

 

 

Job well done by the Thai authorities.  Credit where credit is due.

Safety first, huh. This time of year is notorious for bad sea contitions... should know better, but profit trounces everything else here, I guess. Facepalm.

1 hour ago, persimmon said:

Very unwise to take the ferry in these conditions. Also , some of those old wooden ferry boats look dilapidated.

It was a fishing boat

3 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

Safety first, huh. This time of year is notorious for bad sea contitions... should know better, but profit trounces everything else here, I guess. Facepalm.

Who forced the fishers to go on the vessel? They had the option of not going on a discretionary activity. Let the individuals take responsibility for their actions. Had there been a  shelter in place  order, or inadequate life preservers or  no radio, then yes you could  place some blame on the operator. These people wanted to go fishing.

16 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Who forced the fishers to go on the vessel? They had the option of not going on a discretionary activity. Let the individuals take responsibility for their actions. Had there been a  shelter in place  order, or inadequate life preservers or  no radio, then yes you could  place some blame on the operator. These people wanted to go fishing.

Actually there had been a warning the whole day, for vessels not to venture out to sea. 

18 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

Actually there had been a warning the whole day, for vessels not to venture out to sea. 

 

Let's look at the marine advisory;

พยากรณ์อากาศเพื่อการเดินเรือประจำวันที่ 21 พฤศจิกายน 2568: All ships should proceed with caution and keep off thundershowers. Small boats in the Gulf should keep ashore.

 

Question: Was this a  small boat? I don't know since it carried 12 people.

As a passenger on board, would it not be prudent to check the maritime forecast for the day prior to embarkation and make a personal decision to travel based upon the maritime  advisory?

 

Well done to the rescue crew.

Good job boys. 

11 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

It's windy, probably big waves, safety last remember 

Cold too, I wonder if exposure is a danger too. 

11 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A full rescue was confirmed after a fishing tour boat sank between Koh Lan and Hat Manwichai on 21 November 2025, with all 15 people on board brought to safety.

 

Good work, but why nomention of the natiionality of the fishing memberers?

UPDATE
Fishing Boat Sank Off Pattaya After Pump Failure and Heavy Waves

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon 

 

A fishing boat sank between Koh Larn and Koh Manwichai on 21 November 2025 after its water pump failed and the vessel was struck by strong waves, leaving passengers stranded at sea for more than seven hours before rescue teams arrived. The incident prompted a major response from Pattaya’s maritime rescue units, police, and medical teams, who stood by onshore to receive survivors. All people were eventually accounted for, with several suffering exhaustion, hypothermia and water inhalation.

 

The incident took place amid rough conditions in Pattaya Bay, where waves were 1–2 metres high and strong winds led the Marine Department to raise red-flag warnings prohibiting boats from leaving shore. The vessel involved, the two-deck fishing boat Kor Talay Thong, departed Laem Bali Hai Pier at 07.00 with a group of passengers and one boat captain heading to Koh Manwichai. According to initial information, the water pump failed shortly after the boat passed Koh Larn and the captain went below deck to repair it, leaving the vessel without anyone at the controls.

 

With no one steering, the boat turned sideways into the waves and was hit hard on the port side, causing it to capsize rapidly. Survivors clung to ice boxes, fuel drums, life rings and some life jackets as the boat sank to the seabed. Rescue teams later found people grouped together in the water at around 17.00, including the captain, before bringing them aboard and transferring them to land and waiting ambulances.

 

Four passengers had managed to swim to Koh Manwichai to seek help and were later retrieved by officials, treated and taken to hospital. Witness Natthawut, who travelled with family members from Bangkok, said the group had hired the fishing boat for transport to Koh Manwichai and described the moments the vessel tipped over shortly after the pump malfunction, to authorities. The captain, identified as Suphat Juyaem or “Tai Lek”, lost consciousness due to water inhalation, while waiting rescue and was later transported to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital for treatment.

 

Authorities confirmed that the sinking occurred about 15 nautical miles off Pattaya and 2 nautical miles from Koh Manwichai. All other survivors were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment and officials will now investigate the exact cause of the pump failure and whether safety rules were followed. Further inquiry will determine responsibility and any required safety measures recommendations.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A two-deck fishing vessel sank after its water pump failed and waves struck it broadside.

• All people on board survived, with four swimming to Koh Manwichai to seek help.

• Authorities are investigating the cause of the pump malfunction and safety compliance.

 

 Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Matichon 2025-11-22

 

it was the pumps fault

1 hour ago, watchcat said:

 

Good work, but why nomention of the natiionality of the fishing memberers?

 

11 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Reports incorrectly suggested that they were tourists, but authorities confirmed all were Thai nationals on a fishing trip

 

1 hour ago, watchcat said:

 

Good work, but why nomention of the natiionality of the fishing memberers?

Probably because it can be assumed that they're all Thai.

13 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

It's windy, probably big waves, safety last remember 

These boats look good, but they are just made of flimsy wood. 

The driver has probably fled the scene.

If you go down to the pier area where they park (or used to park) the boats, have a look at them.

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Cold too, I wonder if exposure is a danger too. 

Yes you lose body heat 25X faster in water

33 minutes ago, carlyai said:

These boats look good, but they are just made of flimsy wood. 

The driver has probably fled the scene.

If you go down to the pier area where they park (or used to park) the boats, have a look at them.

The captains are always under pressure to go out even in dangerous conditions, i know i worked on a dive boat years ago

37 minutes ago, carlyai said:

The driver has probably fled the scene.

 

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The captain, identified as Suphat Juyaem or “Tai Lek”, lost consciousness due to water inhalation, while waiting rescue and was later transported to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital for treatment.

 

ProTip: Rescues are faster when you put choppers in the air.

Great whites out there in them waters.

 

Lucky the fishers got out alive.

Oh look at the weather forecast, gale force winds, lets put to sea, we won't cancel we want the money.

21 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds said:

Great whites out there in them waters.

 

Lucky the fishers got out alive.

Great Whites in Gulf of Thailand???