PHUKET: An air and sea search began at first light today for a construction barge, missing off Phuket with six people on board.
A Royal Thai Navy helicopter made one flight over the area where the barge last reported its position but was forced back by the monsoon storm engulfing Phuket and the Andaman holiday region.
''We will send the helicopter out again as soon as conditions allow,'' said the chief of Marine Police, Colonel Phanya Chaichana, who is coordinating the search with the Royal Thai Navy.
The final message came from the barge, carrying building material to the Rayaburi Resort on Racha island, a day-trip destination popular with Phuket snorkellers and divers, about 3.55am.
Vessels involved in the search were forced to seek respite from strong winds and four-metre waves today in the lee of Koh Lon, an island not far off the Phuket coast.
''Even the 26-metre ship was struggling with today's conditions,'' the colonel told Phuketwan. ''We hope we can find the barge and its crew.''
An ambulance and 20 paramedics were standing by at the Royal Thai Navy base at Cape Panwa, on Phuket's east coast.
Koh Racha is about 40 minutes' ride by speedboat south-west of Phuket.
Small boats operating off Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga were ordered to stay ashore today, for the second day, as a severe monsoon storm continued to lash the region.
A Phuketwan reporter noted tourists boarding speedboats at Chalong yesterday despite the obvious dangers of venturing out in storm conditions.
It's not clear why the barge captain chose to transport construction material to the Rayaburi Resort at night in such bad weather.
A Royal Thai Navy helicopter made one flight over the area where the barge last reported its position but was forced back by the monsoon storm engulfing Phuket and the Andaman holiday region.
''We will send the helicopter out again as soon as conditions allow,'' said the chief of Marine Police, Colonel Phanya Chaichana, who is coordinating the search with the Royal Thai Navy.
The final message came from the barge, carrying building material to the Rayaburi Resort on Racha island, a day-trip destination popular with Phuket snorkellers and divers, about 3.55am.
Vessels involved in the search were forced to seek respite from strong winds and four-metre waves today in the lee of Koh Lon, an island not far off the Phuket coast.
''Even the 26-metre ship was struggling with today's conditions,'' the colonel told Phuketwan. ''We hope we can find the barge and its crew.''
An ambulance and 20 paramedics were standing by at the Royal Thai Navy base at Cape Panwa, on Phuket's east coast.
Koh Racha is about 40 minutes' ride by speedboat south-west of Phuket.
Small boats operating off Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga were ordered to stay ashore today, for the second day, as a severe monsoon storm continued to lash the region.
A Phuketwan reporter noted tourists boarding speedboats at Chalong yesterday despite the obvious dangers of venturing out in storm conditions.
It's not clear why the barge captain chose to transport construction material to the Rayaburi Resort at night in such bad weather.
So sad!!! It really beats as to why would they do this trip at the thick of night in such rough weather.
Posted by Sun on July 8, 2015 14:08