Stranded dog rescued while swimming 135 miles off Thai coast

Oil rig workers believe animal may have fallen off fishing trawler

A dog was rescued by oil rig workers after it was found swimming more than 135 miles from shore in the Gulf of Thailand.

Vitisak Payalaw, who was working on the rig, belonging to Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, said the animal was spotted heading towards the platform on Friday.

The dog managed to make it to the platform, where it clung to the support structure below deck without barking or whimpering, Mr Payalaw wrote on Facebook.

The crew managed to rescue the animal by putting a rope around its neck and pulling it up.

Mr Payalaw said he and the rest of the team speculated it might have fallen off a fishing trawler, and dubbed him Boon Rod, or Survivor.

The dog was taken ashore to the southern port of Songkhla by boat on Monday and was said to be in good shape by animal protection group Watchdog Thailand.

Mr Payalaw said he would like to take the dog to his home in northeast Thailand if it is not claimed.

Associated Press contributed to this report