One fisherman died and another was still missing, but four made it safely to shore, after their trawler sank in storm-tossed seas off the coast of Pattani early on Friday.
Authorities said the 30-ton Chok Malinee went down in the Gulf of Thailand off Yaring district around 2am.
The trawler had left Songkhla on Sunday and was returning to its home port. The skipper decided to change course to Pattani after he was advised by radio to immediately head for the nearest port as tropical storm Pabuk was moving into the area.
High waves overwhelmed and sank the trawler, as it approached the coastline, casting the six crew into the sea. All were wearing life vests.
Four of the fishermen made it to the shore alive, but the other two had disappeared.
Searchers found the body of one of the missing crew members, washed ashore, about 11am. He was identified as Pramote Wongsuwan. They were searching for the second missing man, known only by his first name, Chalong.