Plane Crash Near Bangkok Sparks Massive Search Effort

A plane carrying nine people tragically crashed near Bangkok on Thursday, leading to an extensive search operation that continued late into the night. Workers braved muddy terrain and dense mangrove forests in their efforts to locate survivors and recover debris.

The aircraft, a Cessna Caravan C208B turboprop, was carrying two Thai pilots, five Chinese passengers, and two Thai passengers. Sadly, all are presumed dead, as authorities launch an investigation into the cause of the crash.

The plane departed from Bangkok’s main international airport at 2:46 p.m. local time, en route to an airport in Trat province. Approximately 10 minutes into the flight, it lost contact with air traffic control, according to a statement from the Chachoengsao provincial government office.

Eyewitnesses in Chachoengsao’s Bang Pakong district reported seeing the plane plummet from the sky and "explode loudly" upon impact, with debris damaging nearby homes. 

“I was sitting in front of my house when the plane flew overhead with a loud engine sound. Seconds later, it crashed right here with a deafening noise,” a resident recounted in a video shared by the provincial office.

Soneva Kiri, a luxury resort on the island of Koh Kood, confirmed that two of the Thai passengers were their employees. The resort, which typically accommodates guests arriving by private plane, is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.

The cause of the crash remains unknown, but the search for answers is ongoing. Pieces of the aircraft were found scattered in the mud, along with nearly 70 body parts, which have been sent to a police hospital for identification.

Search efforts were hampered by logistical challenges. The crash site, located in a mangrove forest, was difficult to access due to wet conditions caused by a nearby river. Photos and videos from the scene show rescue workers, equipped with headlamps, sifting through wreckage and wading through knee-deep water as they worked to recover debris.

High tide further complicated the search, forcing teams to pump out water and build embankments to prevent more flooding. The operation was paused at 2 a.m. and resumed the following morning.

Authorities will analyze the recovered aircraft debris to determine the cause of the crash. Notably, the plane was not equipped with a black box and had been communicating directly with air traffic control. The investigation continues as the nation mourns this tragic loss.