PHUKET: The speedboat involved in a serious crash off Phuket this week caught an anchor rope or net attached to a fishing boat and flipped, police heard yesterday.
The search for two Korean tourists, missing since the speedboat crash, is due to resume today.
Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong is to visit injured survivors in Bangkok Hospital Phuket today to wish them a speedy recovery.
The captain of the speedboat was transferred yesterday from Phuket to the neighboring province of Krabi because, although the crash took place on a trip between Phi Phi and Phuket, it occurred in waters overseen by Krabi officials.
Surat Marot O-sot, who is likely to face serious charges, repeated to police what he told a Phuketwan reporter the previous day: '''About 20 minutes after we departed from Maya Bay the sky got very dark and a black plastic bag flew under my seat.
''I was worried it would fly into the tourists, so I decided to pick it up.
''I caught the bag, but when I got back into my seat I realised I was heading straight for the fishing boat.''
Khun Surat swerved to avoid the boat but the speedboat caught an anchor rope or fishing net and flipped its passengers into the water.
It is believed none of the people on board were wearing life vests.
The crew on the fishing vessel and crews on other boats nearby came to the rescue of the people in the water but two Koreans remain missing.
Police Lieutenant General Ruangsak Jaritake, Assistant to the National Police Commissioner, visited the scene off Phuket yesterday with Marine Police and a Royal Thai Navy 3 vessel so he could personally assess what transpired late on Sunday afternoon.
He said that life vests should be worn at all times by passengers, ''not just be used to decorate the boats.''
The lieutenant general also called for officials dealing with marine safety to be much more strict in enforcing the laws.
In one previous case on Phuket involving negligence, a speedboat driver shed tears and was able to persuade officials to forget serious punishment.
When a speedboat struck a swimmer close to a Phuket beach, there was no punishment. The swimmer suffered a serious leg injury. The official described the mishap as ''natural.''
Lieutenant General Ruangsak also visited a passenger in hospital on Phuket before returning to Bangkok.
Two Indian tourists drowned when a longtail boat overturned on the short trip between Railey and Ao Nang in Krabi earlier this month.
They were not wearing life vests. A boatman who survived and swam to shore faces 10 years in jail.
The search for two Korean tourists, missing since the speedboat crash, is due to resume today.
Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong is to visit injured survivors in Bangkok Hospital Phuket today to wish them a speedy recovery.
The captain of the speedboat was transferred yesterday from Phuket to the neighboring province of Krabi because, although the crash took place on a trip between Phi Phi and Phuket, it occurred in waters overseen by Krabi officials.
Surat Marot O-sot, who is likely to face serious charges, repeated to police what he told a Phuketwan reporter the previous day: '''About 20 minutes after we departed from Maya Bay the sky got very dark and a black plastic bag flew under my seat.
''I was worried it would fly into the tourists, so I decided to pick it up.
''I caught the bag, but when I got back into my seat I realised I was heading straight for the fishing boat.''
Khun Surat swerved to avoid the boat but the speedboat caught an anchor rope or fishing net and flipped its passengers into the water.
It is believed none of the people on board were wearing life vests.
The crew on the fishing vessel and crews on other boats nearby came to the rescue of the people in the water but two Koreans remain missing.
Police Lieutenant General Ruangsak Jaritake, Assistant to the National Police Commissioner, visited the scene off Phuket yesterday with Marine Police and a Royal Thai Navy 3 vessel so he could personally assess what transpired late on Sunday afternoon.
He said that life vests should be worn at all times by passengers, ''not just be used to decorate the boats.''
The lieutenant general also called for officials dealing with marine safety to be much more strict in enforcing the laws.
In one previous case on Phuket involving negligence, a speedboat driver shed tears and was able to persuade officials to forget serious punishment.
When a speedboat struck a swimmer close to a Phuket beach, there was no punishment. The swimmer suffered a serious leg injury. The official described the mishap as ''natural.''
Lieutenant General Ruangsak also visited a passenger in hospital on Phuket before returning to Bangkok.
Two Indian tourists drowned when a longtail boat overturned on the short trip between Railey and Ao Nang in Krabi earlier this month.
They were not wearing life vests. A boatman who survived and swam to shore faces 10 years in jail.
I think the headline should read "speedboat crash likely to bring lots of hot air but no changes to safety"
Not doomsaying ..... Just being realistic judging on past performance - a few tears and will he be let off like the last guy ?
Posted by Amazing Thailand on October 21, 2014 08:30