Thailand govt pledges justice for Chinese victims of boat tragedy
phuket — Thailand’s government pledged Sunday to ensure justice for Chinese victims of a tour boat that sank in a storm off the southern resort island of Phuket, killing 42 people and leaving another 14 missing.
Tourism Minister Weerasak Kowsurat said the government will “spare no one” as it seriously investigates the tragedy, one of the largest tourism-related disasters in Thailand since a 2004 tsunami that killed thousands.
Police were investigating whether the double-decker Phoenix dive boat had been inspected by marine officials as required before it set sail Thursday, Weerasak said. The meteorological department issued warnings for small ships not to go to sea that day but bigger boats like the Phoenix could sail after inspection. The boat, with 105 people, including 93 tourists, capsized and sank after it was hit by 5-metre waves.
Tourism is a vital part of the Thai economy, with the World Bank estimating the Southeast Asian nation generates about 12 per cent of its gross domestic product from tourism receipts. Chinese tourists are a key driver of the industry, accounting for 9.8 million of the record 35.38 million tourists to visit the country last year.
Local police chief Sorasak Yenprem said evidence from 40 witnesses showed that the captains of the Phoenix and another boat that also sank on Thursday had “acted carelessly.” All the passengers from the second ship were rescued.
The two boat captains have been charged but they denied the allegations,
investigations ensure brought The Sorasak government that to justice,” those are said, ongoing. responsible Weerasak adding will strengthen “We that said. will the are security accidents regulations and intensify to prevent efforts future to restore trust and confidence in its tourism sector, he added.
The disaster didn’t appear to deter visitors, with dozens of Western and some Chinese tourists seen leaving on boats Sunday for diving and cruise trips despite a warning issued by the Meteorological Department for smaller ships not to go to sea.
Yi Mao Ling, a 63-year-old tourist from China’s Kunming city, said he was perplexed by the tragedy as he walked up to a boat with his children and grandchildren for an island trip. “It makes me feel uncomfortable but we can go. I am not worried,” he told The Associated Press.
Thai navy official Rear Adm. Charoenpol Kumrasi said more than 30 divers were involved in an operation on Sunday to flip the sunken Phoenix to retrieve a body trapped underneath. He said they will need more time and equipment to raise the wreckage, which is sitting some 40 metres beneath the surface. —