PATTAYA, Thailand – November 21st, 2025 – Twelve fishermen, including one child, were rescued safely on Friday afternoon after their double-deck fishing boat sank in heavy seas between Koh Larn and Koh Marwichai, approximately 15 nautical miles (30 km) off the Pattaya coast.
The alarm was raised at 4:30 p.m. when the Marine Disaster Prevention Radio Center in Pattaya, in coordination with the Marine Enforcement Command Center (Chonburi Province), received reports that a fishing vessel had foundered, leaving more than ten people clinging to debris in open water. Early reports stated thirteen people, but this was later properly adjusted to twelve. Early reports that the people on the boat were tourists was also adjusted once it was revealed they were all Thai nationals fishing.
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Rescue teams from the Pattaya Marine Rescue Unit and the Sawang Boriboon Pattaya Foundation immediately deployed speedboats and inflatable boats to the scene. On shore, tourist police, Pattaya City Police, and ambulances stood by to receive the survivors.
Weather conditions in Pattaya Bay were severe throughout the day, with waves of 1–2 metres and strong gusts. The Marine Department had hoisted red warning flags, prohibiting all small vessels from leaving port.
Initial investigations revealed that the unnamed two-tier fishing boat had departed Laem Bali Hai Pier in the morning, heading for fishing grounds near Koh Phai. Crew members reported that the vessel encountered heavy seas and the bilge pumps failed, causing it to take on water and eventually sink.The captain and 11 crew members, 12 people in total, were forced to abandon ship and spent more than seven hours in the water before rescue craft reached them.
By 5:00 p.m., authorities confirmed that all 12 individuals had been located and brought aboard rescue vessels. Survivors were described as exhausted, suffering from hypothermia, and shivering violently after their prolonged exposure.Rescue teams were transporting the group back to Pattaya for medical evaluation. The exact cause of the sinking remains under investigation.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. This comes only one day after a much larger boat carrying many tourists took on water near Koh Kood, luckily everyone was also safely rescued.
