Oil tanker runs aground on Songkhla beach amid rough seas

SONGKHLA — 12 November 2026, An oil tanker carrying four crew members ran aground on a beach in southern Thailand, as rough seas and waves exceeding three metres battered parts of the Gulf of Thailand.

The vessel, identified as the N. RATCHAPREUK, became stranded off Di Luang Beach in Sathing Phra district, Songkhla province, while returning to Bangkok without cargo.

Marine Police Station 1, Subdivision 7, received a report from the Songkhla Regional Marine Office at approximately 04:00 that a large oil tanker had run aground along the Gulf of Thailand coastline near Moo 1 village in Di Luang subdistrict.

An initial inspection found four crew members aboard the vessel. The tanker was travelling without cargo at the time of the incident.

Authorities coordinated with relevant agencies to respond to the grounding.

Officials said the incident had not caused any impact on the surrounding coastline. The cause remains under investigation, although strong winds and rough seas in the Gulf of Thailand are suspected to have contributed.

Weather agency warns of waves exceeding three metres

The Southern Meteorological Centre (East Coast) warned that winds and waves in the Gulf of Thailand were strengthening.

In the lower Gulf, from Nakhon Si Thammarat province southwards, waves were forecast to reach two to three metres, rising above three metres in areas experiencing thunderstorms.

Mariners were urged to exercise extra caution and avoid sailing through thunderstorms.

Small boats in the lower Gulf of Thailand were advised to remain ashore during the period of rough weather.

Authorities have not yet announced when the stranded tanker will be refloated.