SURAT THANI: The search is continuing for a family of three missing after a cargo barge they were travelling in went down in rough seas about 10 nautical miles off Koh Tao on Wednesday night.
The missing couple and their three-year-old child were on the barge when it capsized shortly after a wave, reported to be five metres high, hit six vessels sheltering behind an offshore gas drilling platform between Koh Tao in Koh Phangnan district and Lang Suan bay in Lang Suan district of Chumphon province.
The six vessels -- two tug boats and four barges carrying rubberwood chips -- had left Tapee River in Surat Thani's Muang district on Nov 28 to deliver their cargo to a factory in Chachoengsao's Bang Pakong district, said Wassana Saithongkham, a crew member of one of the tugs.
Ms Wassana alerted the Koh Tao rescue centre of the incident, requesting help at about 8pm on Wednesday.
"On the way, we heard the Meteorological Department's warning that there would be strong waves where we would be passing. We tried to seek shelter near Koh Tao, but the ropes attached to the third barge were suddenly torn off," Ms Wassana said.
"Only two of the barges were still attached to the tug boats, leaving the other two barges alone in the sea. The fourth barge was hit by a powerful wave and then sank. The missing family was on that barge," she said.
Rescuers saved eight people cast into the sea -- three men, two women and three children.
The women and children were later sent to Koh Tao Tambon Health Promotion Hospital while the remaining three men refused to receive treatment, as they wanted to guard their barges.
With the waves running as high as 4-5 metres, and strong winds, the search was called off before resuming yesterday.
Meanwhile, Surat Thani governor Ouaychai Innak, who joined the search with Wing 5 chief Gp Capt Somjai Chaiwong from the Royal Thai Air force, said an air force plane searched the area for about three hours yesterday morning but failed to find any sign of the missing people.
The navy's Second Fleet, based in Songkhla, also sent a patrol ship to join in the search.
Mr Ouaychai said he also sought cooperation from Koh Tao authorities to help in the search.
The forecast on Wednesday night was for wind-whipped waves 2-3 metres high in the Gulf of Thailand from Surat Thani southward until Sunday. Small boats were advised to remain ashore.