Small passenger plane crashes near Bangkok, no survivors found

A tragic plane crash occurred in Thailand on Thursday, August 22, 2024, when a small passenger aircraft, a Cessna Caravan C208B operated by Thai Flying Service Company, crashed shortly after taking off from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. The incident resulted in the deaths of all nine individuals on board, including five Chinese tourists from Hong Kong, two Thai crew members, and the Thai pilot and co-pilot.

The flight, which was bound for Trat province, lost contact with air traffic control just 11 minutes after departure. The plane went down in a mangrove swamp located in Chachoengsao province, approximately 40 kilometers from Bangkok. Rescue operations were immediately launched, but the search was severely hampered by the challenging terrain, the onset of darkness, and rising tide waters, making access to the crash site difficult. Rescue workers eventually discovered the wreckage and found no survivors.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Thai aviation authorities. The area surrounding the crash site has been cordoned off as authorities continue their search for clues and attempt to recover all remnants of the aircraft.

This tragic event marks yet another reminder of the risks associated with aviation, particularly in regions with challenging environments like the mangrove swamps where this crash occurred. The incident has drawn significant attention, especially due to the presence of foreign nationals on board, and further updates from Thai authorities are expected as the investigation continues​.