This is the harrowing moment a heartbroken family received the body of a sailor who drowned at sea after being sent out in rough waves on a badly-prepared navy warship.

Chamlong Saenkae, 26, was among those who died when HTMS Sukhothai was battered by four-meter high waves and sank some 20 nautical miles off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan province on December 18 evening.

His body arrived in a white coffin at the naval base in Khon Kaen province on December 29 where relatives wearing black held pictures of their loved one.

Five military personnel remain missing and 24 have been confirmed dead.

The vessel was carrying 105 military personnel to a ceremonial event when it was battered by stormy seas and water entered its hull and splashed into the electrical system.

The leakage disrupted the vessel's controls and power supply leading to a blackout before the ship tilted 60 degrees to starboard and more water flooded in.

Bungling naval chiefs have since admitted that there were not enough life vests on the ship for all the people onboard.

Records show that HTMS Sukhothai was built by Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, in Tacoma, Washington. It was commissioned in 1987 and had been operational for almost 36 years with air defence, sea combat and anti-submarine capabilities.

Thailand is notorious for its inequality, avarice among officialdom, corruption, cover-ups and disturbing disregard for health and safety.