Thai fisherman survives four hours at sea clinging to bamboo stick

A young fisherman displayed remarkable endurance after being swept overboard by strong waves and drifting in the sea for four hours. He miraculously survived by swimming to a nearby island, much to his wife’s tearful relief.

Sothorn Theppitak, President of the Suntornphu Fisheries Association in Tambon Kram, Klaeng District, Rayong Province, today, July 24, received a report about a missing crew member from the fishing boat Chok Prasitsilp. The crew member vanished during the return voyage to shore, though the exact time and location were unknown.

It was suspected that the incident occurred near the Hin Phloeng area, close to Koh Man Nok, approximately 14 to 15 nautical miles from the coast. Sothorn immediately coordinated with other fishing boats and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to launch a search operation.

The boat’s captain revealed that he, along with five crew members, had set out to lay crab traps on July 22. They completed their task early the next morning and began their journey back to shore amidst strong winds and high waves. The captain, controlling the boat from above, saw four crew members resting on the deck.

He did not notice Chit Sai, a 35 year old Cambodian crew member, assuming he was resting below deck. It was only upon reaching the Ao Makham Pom pier that they realised Chit Sai was missing, prompting an urgent request for assistance.

The captain and other fishing boats resumed the search, supported by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. Despite four hours of searching, they found no trace of Chit Sai and returned to shore to regroup.

Fisherman rescue

However, news soon arrived that Chit Sai had been found. He had swum to Koh Man Nok, exhausted from battling waves for over four hours, and sustained injuries from a bamboo stick he used for buoyancy. Villagers on the island provided initial first aid and he was then transported back to Ao Makham Pom pier.

Upon arrival, Chit Sai, having regained some strength, was able to walk off the boat on his own. His fellow crew members and his wife, who had feared he was lost forever, welcomed him with tears of joy and relief.

Chit Sai recounted his ordeal with visible excitement. He had been sitting alone on an ice container at the rear of the boat when a large wave hit, causing him to fall into the sea. Overwhelmed by panic and the powerful waves, he struggled to stay afloat.

After about two hours, nearly out of energy, he spotted a bamboo stick about 2 metres long drifting by. Grabbing it, he used it to keep himself buoyant and began swimming towards what appeared to be an island.

“I was so happy to see the island, it gave me hope that I might survive. The waves were very strong, and I used all my strength to reach the shore. I thought of my parents and my wife, which kept me going.”

Finally, after two more gruelling hours, he reached the beach at Koh Man Nok, where he was helped by locals, reported KhaoSod.

His wife expressed her immense relief, saying she had cried until she could cry no more, fearing she would never see her husband again. She thanked the officials and all the fishing boats involved in the search for their efforts to bring him back safely.