Last body retrieved from ‘Phoenix’ wreck
State’s role in boat tragedy to be studied
PHUKET: Divers yesterday were able to retrieve the 47th body of a Chinese national pinned by the Phoenix boat under water since it capsized on July 5.
Vice Adm Somnuek Prempramote, commander of Naval Area 3, said he was told of the successful mission at 7.20 pm after Thai and Chinese diving experts worked the entire day to retrieve the last body.
He said the body was sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy and identity verification process after which it will be sent to relatives for funeral rites.
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 on July 5.
As for the bodies, 39 were earlier returned to China, and seven cremated in Thailand. The injured are being treated at Vachira Phuket Hospital and Phuket Provincial Hospital.
Compensation has been paid out to the families of 29 victims so far, Phuket provincial governor Noraphat Plodthong said yesterday.
Mr Noraphat said it would take around 15-20 days to salvage the wreckage from the water.
The Marine Department has issued a transfer order to the director of the Marine Office 5’s Phuket Branch over the boat disaster.
Mr Noraphat said yesterday that director Surat Sirisaiyat had been moved to facilitate a disciplinary probe against state authorities allegedly embroiled in the issue.
Pol Maj Gen Theeraphol Thipchareon, chief of the Phuket Provincial Police, said Onchan Kanhayothi, 56, chief engineer of the Phoenix, was apprehended last Friday and Woralak Ruekchaikal, 26, owner of the vessel, the following day.
They face a charge of recklessness causing deaths and injuries to others.
Also yesterday, an inspection, led by the provincial governor, was launched at Rassada pier in Muang district. The operation focused on the management of the pier, passengers and tour boats.
The pier is equipped with passenger counting technology via key card and CCTV cameras. Mr Noraphat said the aim was to improve marine transport safety.
The current number of piers is inadequate, he added.