The ship sank 20 nautical miles (32km) off the coast of BangSaphan district, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Navy spokesman Adm Pokkrong Monthatphalinsaid.
The Nation Thailand quoted Pokkrong as saying that thewarship was on patrol when it began listing in strong winds and waves, causingseawater to flow through its exhaust pipe and flood the electrical system. Thiscaused the engine and pumps to stop. The crew lost control and were unable to rightthe vessel as the hull flooded.
The RTN launched a search and rescue mission with threeships – HTMS Angthong, Bhumibol Adulyadej and Kraburi – and two helicopters.
75 out of the 106 crew members on the Sukhothai were rescued, with 31 remainingunaccounted for./.