A Cambodian member of the crew of a Thai trawler, which sank off the coast of Songkhla Province, was rescued by another trawler yesterday (Wednesday). Three other crew members, including the skipper, were found dead.

According to the Second Naval Area Command of the Royal Thai Navy, based in Songkhla, the trawler left Pattani early this month and had requested help before the vessel foundered in stormy seas on Sunday.

The command then despatched a frigate to rescue the crew, but bad weather meant that the ship could not set sail until the next day. The command later received a radio report from another trawler, stating that it had rescued one crew member and recovered three victims, including the skipper, from the sea. One person is still reported to be missing.

A frigate was, nevertheless, sent to pick up the survivor and the three bodies and brought them ashore yesterday.

The survivor said that he was drifting at sea for about 30 hours before being rescued. He also claimed that he used a rope to tie the three bodies together, to prevent them from being swept away in different directions by the strong waves.