A tragic aircraft accident near a resort area in Thailand claimed the lives of five police officers on Friday morning. According to Thai police, the small plane crashed into the sea during a parachute training exercise, around 8:00 a.m. local time near the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, approximately 130 kilometers southwest of Bangkok.
The plane was carrying six officers. Five were confirmed dead, and one survivor sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital for treatment, said police spokesperson Archayon Kraithong.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash and are analyzing data from the plane’s black box. The aircraft reportedly fell into the sea about 100 meters off the shore of Cha-Am district, a popular weekend destination.
Footage shared on social media showed the plane spiraling before hitting the water, with people wading through chest-deep water to reach the crash site. Police Chief Kittirat Phanphet has pledged a full investigation into the incident. The Royal Thai Police released a statement expressing deep condolences for the loss of the “brave officers who died in the line of duty.”
