On Friday morning, a small police aircraft crashed into the sea near Hua Hin airport, resulting in five fatalities and one injury.
The 191 Emergency Centre reported that the plane crashed in the Gulf of Thailand at 8:15 am near the Baby Grande Hua Hin Hotel, located in the Cha-am district of Phetchaburi province.
This beachside hotel is situated close to Hua Hin airport, also known as Bo Fai airport, approximately eight kilometers from the town of Hua Hin in Prachap Khiri Khan province.
The DHC-6-400 Twin Otter aircraft was carrying three pilots, two mechanics, and an aircraft engineer when it crashed.
Pol Lt Gen Archayon Kraithong, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, mentioned that the crash occurred during a routine test flight aimed at preparing for a parachute training exercise in Hua Hin.
On Friday, the national police chief, Kittharath Punpetch, inspected the crash site and also visited the critically injured sole survivor, Pol Capt Chaturong Wattanapaisarn.
The deceased were identified as pilots Pol Col Prathan Khiewkham and Pol Lt Col Panthep Maneewachirangkul, aircraft engineer Pol Lt Thanawat Mekprasert, and mechanics Pol L/Cpl Jeerawat Maksakha and Pol Sgt Maj Prawat Pholhongsa.
Pol Lt Gen Archayon initially reported to the media that all six officers on board the plane had perished.
An ongoing investigation has been initiated to pinpoint the exact cause of the crash.
