Two bodies have been recovered from the sea between Sak and Samet islands off Chumphon.

The first body, without a life jacket, was found drifting near Sak Island of Chumphon province by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) this morning (Tuesday). A Fisheries Department boat was sent to recover the remains, according to Vice Admiral Pichai Lorchusakul, commander of First Naval Area Command.

He said that it is very likely that the body is that of one of HTMS Sukhothai’s missing crew, because of the mechanic’s jumpsuit he was wearing, commonly worn by mechanics and electricians on Royal Thai Navy ships.

The second body was found by a Fisheries Department vessel in the same area. The second body was wearing tracksuit bottoms and a dark blue T-shirt but no life jacket.

The two bodies were recovered by the Fisheries Department vessel and taken ashore in Chumphon. They were then sent to Bang Saphan district in Prachuap Khiri Khan for identification.

If they are confirmed to be crew from the sunken HTMS Sukhothai, the discovery brings the number of crew still unaccounted for to eight.

Today, the search for missing crew continued for a ninth day, since the corvette-class HTMS Sukhothai foundered in the seas off Bang Saphan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Four naval ships, namely Naresuan, Kraburi, Taksin and Narathiwat, planes, helicopters and UAVs, were engaged in the sea and air search operation today. Volunteer groups and vessels from other agencies are also helping to search coastal areas and islands of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani provinces.

Vice Admiral Pichai said that navy divers were more easily able to survey the sunken ship today, due the improved weather and sea conditions.

He also said that the families of eight crew, whose remains have been positively identified, have been advised that they can reclaim the bodies for funeral rites.