Six police officers have tragically died after a small aircraft crashed into the Gulf of Thailand near Cha-am, in the country’s southwest, early Friday morning around 8:25am local time (2:25am UK time). The Royal Thai Police confirmed that the plane went down during a test flight mission intended to prepare for an upcoming parachute jump training exercise.
In a statement, the police expressed their “deepest condolences and sympathy” to the victims’ families. Among those who lost their lives was the aircraft’s pilot, also a member of the police force.
Images from the crash site show the wreckage floating in the water as emergency crews worked urgently to locate and assist the victims. Upon arrival, responders found four officers dead at the scene, while two others, including the pilot who was rushed to hospital, later succumbed to their injuries despite intensive medical efforts.
This tragic incident follows a series of recent aviation disasters worldwide, including a helicopter crash in New York City earlier this month that killed a family of five, and the death of famed stunt pilot Rob Holland, who perished in a plane crash in Virginia just days before a scheduled air show performance.
The identities of the officers involved in the Thailand crash have not yet been released. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the accident. National police chief, Police General Kittirat Phanphet, traveled urgently to the scene to oversee recovery efforts and has promised strong support for the families of the deceased. He stated: “We will provide close support to the families and arrange proper funeral services. A thorough investigation into the cause of the crash has been ordered.”
According to an update from the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Police, rescue operations have been particularly challenging as the crash site lies far from the shore. “We are coordinating with relevant agencies to assist as the location at sea makes access difficult,” a police spokesperson said, promising to release more details as they become available.
Witnesses, including local fishermen, alerted authorities after watching the plane plunge into the sea. The model of the aircraft has not yet been confirmed to the media. It is believed the plane crashed approximately 100 meters offshore, directly opposite the Baby Grand Cha-am Resort.
Cha-am, a district historically popular with tourists—including visitors from the UK—has faced environmental challenges in recent years, such as coastal erosion and rising sea levels, impacting its once-pristine scenery.
