**Tragic Plane Crash Claims Six Lives Off Thai Coast**
In a devastating incident early on Friday morning, a small plane carrying five police officers and a pilot crashed into the Gulf of Thailand, tragically killing all six on board. The aircraft went down just off the coast from Cha-am, a well-known resort town in the southwest of the country, not far from the popular Hua Hin airport.
The tragedy unfolded at about 8:25am local time (2:25am UK time) on 25 April, drawing an immediate and wide-ranging emergency response from authorities and rescue teams. According to local officials, the flight was being conducted as a test operation, in preparation for a parachute jump training exercise organised by the Royal Thai Police.
The Royal Thai Police shared condolences in a public statement, expressing deep sympathy to the bereaved families. Initial investigation has confirmed that the fatalities included all five police personnel as well as the plane’s pilot, who was also in police service. Visuals released by authorities show the mangled wreckage of the aircraft partially submerged in the shallow waters, with emergency services frantically working at the scene shortly afterwards.
While four of the victims were discovered deceased on impact when search parties reached the crash site, two survivors were urgently rushed for medical attention. Regrettably, both later lost their lives in hospital, including the pilot. The names and personal details of the deceased have not yet been disclosed as authorities continue to notify families and manage the aftermath.
This catastrophic event has further contributed to a run of fatal aviation incidents worldwide in 2025, drawing attention once again to the risks associated with test flights and aerial operations. Only weeks earlier, a helicopter crash in New York City claimed five lives from one family, and celebrated American aerobatics pilot Rob Holland died ahead of a planned air show display in Virginia.
A senior police official, Police General Kittirat Phanphet, promptly travelled to the crash scene to oversee rescue coordination and the start of the investigation. Addressing the media, he emphasised that families would receive full support from the authorities and reassure them that a detailed inquiry would be undertaken to determine the cause. “We will provide close assistance to the families, and funeral arrangements are already being considered. I have instructed for an exhaustive investigation into why the crash occurred,” he said.
The local Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Police have confirmed they are working in conjunction with multiple agencies, noting the complexities involved when responding to incidents so far from land. In a statement, a spokesperson outlined the logistical hurdles: “Because the crash happened in the sea, at some distance from shore, it’s more difficult to provide assistance rapidly. We remain committed to updating the public with further information as soon as we have it.”
Witnesses to the accident, including several local fishermen, immediately alerted emergency services after seeing the aircraft plunge into the sea. The exact model of the aircraft involved has yet to be disclosed by the authorities, while search efforts continued throughout the day to recover wreckage and support the investigation.
It is believed the crash site was approximately 100 metres offshore, very close to the Baby Grand Cha-am Resort – one of the area’s popular hotels. The location has become a focal point for authorities and rescue teams scouring the waters for evidence.
Cha-am, a district in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, is well-known among tourists and British holidaymakers alike. Nonetheless, it has faced challenges in recent years, including the effects of rising sea levels and coastal erosion. The community, already contending with these environmental changes, is now reeling from the impact of Friday’s tragic air crash.
The investigation into the root cause of the disaster remains ongoing, with aviation safety experts set to examine maintenance records, pilot logs, weather data, and the plane’s black box, if it can be recovered. Authorities hope that their findings will shed light on this heartbreaking event and help prevent future tragedies.
The local community and the wider policing family are now mourning the sudden loss of six lives, with support services being put in place for those affected. Updates from Thai officials are expected in the coming days as the investigation progresses.