The alarm was raised at around 3pm when staff from The Racha Hotel on Koh Racha Yai reported that two tourists – one Thai and one German – had failed to return from a dive trip near Koh Racha Noi. The pair had entered the water at about 1:30pm and lost contact with their boat soon after.
Vice Admiral Weerudom Muangchin, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, immediately ordered a coordinated search, Thai MECC 3 reported.
The operation involved naval vessel T.272, smaller vessels ‘Racha 4’ and ‘Racha 15’, and divers from the Kusontham Foundation.
At around 5pm, both divers were located near rocks on the shore at Ao Rang Kai, at the southeastern end of Koh Racha Noi. They were safely rescued from the water and returned to Koh Racha Yai for assessment.
Capt Pichet Songtan, Director of the Public Relations Division and spokesperson for Thai MECC 3, confirmed the successful rescue and thanked all agencies involved.
“The Maritime Security Command Region 3 remains committed to protecting lives and ensuring safety across the Andaman Sea,” Capt Pichet said.
For maritime emergencies or to report sea incidents, the Maritime Security Command Region 3 hotline 1465 is available 24 hours a day.