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The helicopter lands at Racha to pick up the stricken woman

Phuket Snorkelling Drama as Copter Plucks Tourist to Phuket Hospital

Saturday, July 7, 2012
PHUKET: A Chinese tourist is in a critical condition in the intensive care unit at a Phuket hospital tonight after a snorkelling day-trip mishap.

The woman, Jin Giuping, 29, was found by her husband, Zhen Shuguang, who became alarmed when he saw his wife was face-down and not moving off Racha island, a speedboat ride from Phuket.

A Royal Thai Navy 3 helicopter was able to pick up the woman on Racha and carry her to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City in a fraction of the time it usually takes to make the journey.

The Racha helipad was opened just yesterday by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha after years of campaigning by the Navy to improve tourism safety on the Phuket region's surrounding islands.

Chinese Consul Xu Mingling, who is based in Had Yai, said the hospital had contacted him and would update him on Jin Giuping's condition.

A call from the diving company alerted the Navy to the mishap. Day-trips snorkelling from Phuket to the reefs close to Racha are a popular activity for many Phuket visitors.

The couple arrived on Phuket on Friday and were due to head back to China on Tuesday.

A Navy spokesperson paid credit to Racha resort owners who raised money for the helipad.

Comments

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Good job. Saying a prayer.

Posted by GiantFan on July 7, 2012 19:47

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Not the ideal snorkeling weather these days, is it?

Posted by Sherlock on July 7, 2012 20:53

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Job well done Navy.

I just wonder why did they go out on a snorkelling trip when weather alerts advising small boats not to put out to sea are all over the news.

Wave heights of up to 3 meters have been forecasted and the gelcoat/plywood hulls of local "speedboats" can't take such beating.

They look like fiberglass boats but are nowhere nearly as durable. Wonder around any boat yard and see for yourself how they are built.

Posted by Andrew on July 7, 2012 20:53

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Andrew,
It's because generally tour desks will sell a trip just for the commission with no consideration at all for the customer. Go to a tour desk in a wheelchair and ask about rock climbing in Krabi, they will sell you a ticket !
Take a bunch of five year olds to a tour desk and ask about the shooting club, they will sell you tickets....

Posted by terry on July 8, 2012 08:07

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@ terry

I'm sure that is the case but tour agents don't actually take the tourists anywhere.

Sold ticket or not, the actual operators should cancel trips if conditions are too dangerous and refund the money.

Yes, I know very well how ridiculous that sounds. I have not forgotten where I live.

Posted by Andrew on July 8, 2012 10:09

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@Terry, it is not the tour desks responsibility, tourist must accept some responsibility for their OWN safety, but mostly it is the responsibility of the TOUR COMPANIES and the boat Captains whether to put to sea or not, oh, let us not forget the local Marine Commanders' responsibility.

Posted by dbate on July 8, 2012 10:59

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@Andrew - I agree with you.
There are the same problem with diving as greedy dive boat operators, travel agents, guides and tour-counters look more at the high commission and profit that tourists' safety.
We saw it with two deaths at rafting-tour in Phang Nga last month.
Lack of ethic in tourism industry as well by those in charge (Civil servants) to reinforce the law is a constant problem.

Posted by Whistle-Blower on July 8, 2012 11:01


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