Like the HTMS Khram, the HTMS Kut (731) was purpose sunk to create an artificial reef on September 17th, 2006. Both wrecks share the same design with minor differences. Although the Khram features a richer growth of coral (attributed to the longer time under water), the advantage of the Kut is its easy accessibility just minutes away from Pattaya’s Bali Hai pier.

The Sea Chart was on its way from Burma to Vietnam with a cargo of 1200 tons of teakwood logs in August 2009 and sank in the rough seas off the coast of Khao Lak. The 84m long vessel now lays on her port side at a depth of about 38m about 2 hours out to sea from Khao Lak’s Tap Lamu Pier.

The cargo is still contained in the hull and has partly fallen out onto the sea bed. It is argued that even after years in the water, the logs are still good for commercial use since teak wood is preserved with its natural saturation of oils.

The HTMS Mataphon (761) was sunk on 20.10.2012 south-east of Ko Larn near Had Nuen beach. The amphibious landing ship was originally in service for the US Navy during World War 2 and was soon after transfered to the Thai Navy. She was employed until shortly before her sinking and she is the sister ship of the HTMS Phetra which was sunk just three days afterwards near Ko Man Nok, Rayong.

The Premchai Wreck is a purpose sunk tin dredger which found its current location in 2001. A lot of these tin dredgers have roamed the coasts of Khao Lak in the past until the business of dredging tin from the bottom of the sea was no longer profitable. Next to the Premchai which was originally built in the Netherlands, a lot of these tin dredgers were sunk along the coast from Khao Lak up to Ranong. (The nearby Boonsung Wreck being one in the collection, albeit sunk during an accident in 1984). Maximum dive depth is at 22m while the wreck’s top is at around 14m. Although not perfect in terms of visibility, the Premchai is an awesome dive site and is accessible within a short commute from the Tap Lamu pier.

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