Ubon Ratchathani: Air Force Commander orders urgent search for missing personnel during mission in Mekong River, along with providing full care for rights and morale of families.
According to Thai News Agency, Air Chief Marshal Praphas Sornjaidee, the Air Force spokesman, revealed that the Air Force had received a report of a missing Air Force officer during a mission to support drug suppression in border areas. This mission is an integral part of the Special Operations Center for Drug Suppression and Prevention, affecting security in border areas with neighboring countries by land, specifically managed by Special Operations Center 331, responsible for the Mekong River area, a significant drug trafficking route.
Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul, the Air Force Commander, has been informed of the incident and has ordered all relevant units to mobilize their forces to search with full capacity. He also emphasized the importance of closely and continuously looking after the rights, welfare, and morale of the personnel on duty.
The incident occurred on June 10, 2025, during a patrol and inspection of the task force in the area of Ban Bung Khi Lek, Na Waeng Subdistrict, Khemmarat District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The boat used in the mission had an accident, hitting a rock in the middle of the Mekong River and capsizing due to the strong current.
Three officers on the ship managed to swim to shore, two of them successfully, while the third officer, Flight Sergeant Major Sukkasem Phromphanchai, a special operations officer from Special Operations Unit 2, Special Operations Company 2, Special Operations Battalion 1, Special Operations Department, Air Force Command, remains missing. The Air Force has coordinated with local agencies, border protection units, and volunteers in the area to continue the search.
On behalf of the Royal Thai Air Force, they expressed concern for the family of Flight Sergeant Sukkasem Prompanchai, acknowledging his bravery, sacrifice, and commitment to the mission for national security. The Royal Thai Air Force assures that it will continue the search mission with utmost effort until the missing person is found. They call on all Thai citizens to send encouragement for the success of this mission and support the family of the missing officer, serving as a source of encouragement for all those on duty along the border.