A Thai diesel oil tanker, MT Orapin 4, with 14 crew aboard, arrived at Chon Buri’s Sri Racha on Sunday night after being hijacked and its cargo stolen by pirates on its way from Singapore to Indonesia.
Royal Thai Navy spokesman Rear Adm Karn Dee-ubon said the navy was informed late last night by Thai International Tanker Co that MT Orapin 4 had anchored in Sri Racha about 7.30pm Sunday.
Initially, the navy knew only that the pirates boarded the tanker and destroyed all communications equipment and stole the cargo and other valuables. The tanker was left with sufficient fuel to return to port. All crew are safe.
International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said Saturday that the Thai tanker had lost contact with the owners after departing Singapore and was believed hijacked.