<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">At least 31 Thai Navy sailors were missing on Monday after their vessel sank off the southeastern coast of Thailand, a naval spokesperson said.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The HTMS Sukhothai was patrolling the Gulf of Thailand, roughly 20 nautical miles from Bang Saphan pier in southern Prachuap Khiri Khan, when it ran into strong tides and took on water late Sunday night.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A rescue mission was launched after the vessel's electronic system was damaged, with pictures shared by the navy showing the ship dramatically heeling to one side.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"We are still looking for 31 missing," said navy spokesperson Admiral Pogkrong Montradpalin, adding that the ship sank shortly after midnight.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"The ship's operating systems stopped working, causing the ship to lose control," he said earlier Monday morning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A statement said 75 of 106 personnel on board were pulled from the waters in a rescue operation involving two seahawk helicopters, two frigates and one amphibious ship.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The search-and-rescue operation, which started at 7 am, was ongoing, the statement added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Around 11 naval personnel were being treated at Bang Saphan hospital, while some 40 others were being housed at shelters. AFP</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>