Body sighted off Similan Islands

SIMILAN: Mystery surrounds the sighting of the body of a foreigner in the sea between Koh Bua and Koh Bon, about 30 miles from the Similan Islands. A report was received from a Thai fishing boat at 11:45 am yesterday, giving precise coordinates for the body, said Pol Lt Col Prasopchai Banluesil, Deputy Superintendent of Phuket Marine Police Region 5. “We sent Marine Police Ship 519 from Ranong to find the corpse,” he said. “But it took about five hours to travel from Ranong and by the time the police arrived the corpse was no longer floating in the reported position. Strong winds or the current had taken the body away.” This morning the Marine Police went out again to look for the body and to seek the assistance of fishing boats in the vicinity. There had been no reports of missing persons from Phuket, Lt Col Prasopchai added.