Six police officers lost their lives when their aircraft crashed into the sea during a parachute training test flight near a popular beach destination in Thailand on Friday, April 25, 2025.
The small plane descended into the water at approximately 8:00 a.m. local time (1:00 GMT) in the Cha-am district, a coastal resort area around 80 miles southwest of Bangkok.
Royal Thai Police spokesperson Archayon Kraithong reported that five officers died at the scene, while the sixth, identified as the pilot, was transported to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The aircraft, identified as a Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter, crashed near Hua Hin Airport in Prachuab Kiri Khan province. Images from the site show the wreckage floating roughly 100 yards offshore, with the aircraft split in two upon impact. It was reported that the right-hand engine failed, causing the aircraft to spin nose-down into the sea.
Witnesses at the Baby Grand Hua Hin Hotel observed the aircraft descend into the Gulf of Thailand. One witness described the scene: “I was shocked and ran onto the beach. There was no sign of life coming from the plane.”
Local media indicated that individuals were seen entering the water to reach the crash site, and footage shared online documented the moment the plane entered the water.
The Royal Thai Police confirmed in a Facebook statement that all six victims were police officers.
The deceased officers were identified as the pilot, Police Colonel Prathan Kheawkham; two other pilots, Police Lieutenant Colonel Parntep Maneewachirakun and Police Sub-Lieutenant Chaturong Wattanapraisarn; an engineer, Police Sub-Lieutenant Thanawat Mekprasertsuk; and two mechanics, Police Sergeant Major Prawat Phonhongsa and Police Lance Corporal Jirawat Maksakha.
Police Sub-Lieutenant Chaturong Wattanapraisarn was the officer who initially survived the crash but died at the hospital following surgery.
Witnesses reported hearing what they believed to be an engine explosion before the aircraft went down. The plane had just taken off from Bo Fai Airport on a test flight when the incident occurred.
Police Chief Kitrat Phanphet, who visited the scene with other officials, stated that preliminary investigations showed the plane was heading toward residential areas. Somehow, the pilots redirected it toward the sea, possibly preventing additional casualties.
Phanphet noted that the victims’ families would receive support during this challenging time. The Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General has provided full support for the families and arranged dignified funeral services.
An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the crash. Archayon Kraithong stated that officials are collecting evidence, including data from the plane’s black box flight recorder.
Rescue teams were quickly dispatched to the scene, but their efforts to save the officers were hindered mainly by the severity of the crash.
Recovery operations continued throughout Friday, with authorities successfully retrieving the wreckage from the sea. Later images showed the plane’s wreckage partially submerged in shallow water.
The aircraft was conducting a test flight specifically for parachute training exercises when the crash occurred.
This incident follows another air accident in the region weeks earlier, when a medical helicopter carrying a patient crashed into the sea in Japan. In that case, three individuals died, while three survivors-the pilot, a helicopter mechanic, and a nurse—were rescued by the coast guard after being found clinging to inflatable lifesavers in the water.
The Commissioner-General has also ordered a swift and comprehensive investigation to uncover all facts related to the Thailand crash and to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
