AYUTTHAYA, Thailand – A cargo tugboat sank in the Pasak River near Wat Phanan Choeng in Ayutthaya on October 18, leaving its 62-year-old skipper with a broken right arm. The incident occurred at around 1.30pm, prompting police from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station, the Phutthaisawan Foundation and Marine Department officials to respond.
Rescue workers pulled the skipper, identified as Anukun Phromwiphawadi, from the water and took him to Rajthanee Hospital for treatment. He was reported to have suffered a fracture to his right arm. Four other tugboats passing through the area joined the rescue effort. The cargo vessels being towed by the convoy continued towards a port in Nakhon Luang district.
A tourist visiting Wat Phanan Choeng said he had been filming boats on the river when he heard a sound resembling a collision with a floating pier. He rushed to look and recorded the tugboat sinking, with its skipper seen in the water before other boat crews helped bring him to safety.
Damrongsak Phakhaphon, acting director of the Ayutthaya Regional Marine Office, said an initial inspection found that five tugboats were towing three cargo vessels towards Nakhon Luang district when the second tugboat from the left suffered an engine failure. The loss of power caused the vessel to lose stability and capsize. The skipper managed to escape from the boat but was injured.
Marine officials said navigation had previously been restricted when water discharge exceeded 2,000 cubic metres per second. Restrictions were eased after discharge levels were reduced, allowing vessels to resume using the river.
The accident occurred near a junction where the Chao Phraya and Pasak rivers meet. Officials said personnel were stationed in the area to assist vessels and oversee navigation safety. Following the sinking, authorities planned to close the affected waterway to cargo vessels while recovery work was carried out. The sunken tugboat was to be moved as close to the riverbank as possible before being salvaged, with the operating company responsible for the recovery.
