Warrants issued over boat tragedy
Owner of tour vessel among those charged
The Phuket provincial court has issued warrants for the arrests of two people in connection with the Phoenix tour boat disaster in which 47 Chinese tourists were killed.
Named on the warrants are Woralak Ruekchaikal, 26, owner of the ill-fated Phoenix, and Onchan Kanhayothi, 56, chief engineer of the vessel. They face a charge of recklessness causing deaths and injuries to others.
Mr Onchan yesterday met police to acknowledge the charge and was temporarily released. Ms Woralak, who was interviewed by investigators shortly after the accident, has yet to turn herself in since the arrest warrant was issued.
The pair are the second group of people facing legal action over the boat tragedy on July 5.
Earlier, Somjing Boontham, 50, captain of the Phoenix, and Metha Limsakul, 58, captain of a yacht named Serenita which also sank on the same day, were also charged with recklessness causing deaths and injuries.
A 26-year-old Chinese national also received the same charge for allegedly ordering the yacht to leave the port. He is alleged to be the manager of Lazy Cat Travel and was later identified as Peng Daching.
The Phoenix dive boat capsized with 101 people on board — 89 tourists, all but two from China, and 12 crew — when returning to port after a trip. The yacht was carrying 39 passengers and two crew when it capsized, however all of its passengers were rescued.
Both vessels have yet to be salvaged for inspection.
Also on the same day, a jet ski carrying a Russian couple also capsized. The man, Ilya Goldman, and his female companion, Elena Volkova, were plucked from the water by a fishing trawler. Mr Goldman, 25, was booked and fined 1,000 baht for recklessness causing physical harm.
A team led by deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul yesterday inspected Thanawat Engineering Phuket Co, which built the Phoenix, and a dry dock owned by Sikij Co where the vessel was constructed.
An initial finding showed that Thanawat Engineering Phuket Co is operating its business without a licence, according to a police source.
The source said that Pol Gen Srivara, who is in charge of the investigation, has instructed investigators to impound both sunken boats for examination.
It is reported that the company that owns the yacht has made preparations to raise the vessel while authorities are coordinating with the owner of the Phoenix to see whether it will raise the wreckage or pay the costs for authorities to do so.
In an interview with Chinese media, Zhang Wenhao, husband of Ms Woralak, said his wife is responsible for business operations while he is a diving instructor.
According to the interview, the Phoenix tour boat started providing services last year catering mainly to Chinese tourists. Mr Somjing was its second skipper and had more than 20 years of experience.
Meanwhile, efforts are being stepped up to increase safety on tour boats in the Andaman Sea.
Vice Adm Somnuek Prempramote, chief of 3rd Naval Area Command, said officials will be deployed at four main ports to inspect boats and make sure they comply with regulations.
He said tour boats must be properly equipped and have no more than four tourists per dive master.
His Majesty the King has sent a message of condolences to China over the incident.
In his message, the monarch extended his sincere sympathy to Chinese president Xi Jinping and the families of the victims. His Majesty has also promised that Thailand is doing its utmost to provide assistance to the victims and their families.
Thai and Chinese divers yesterday resumed efforts to retrieve the 47th and final victim from the sunken Phoenix.
Divers went down to remove sand from around the wreck, which has settled at a depth of 45 metres. However, the body was pinned by the boat and strong currents made it difficult the for divers. At press time authorities had still to recover it.