Korean Tourists Left Adrift After Speeding Boat Capsizes

October 6, 2012

A speedboat carrying 22 Korean tourists returning from Ko Larn island sank after being battered by large ocean waves. Rescuers picked up the floating tourists, who were not injured. The boat driver was reportedly going so fast that large waves bashing against the boat’s hull had damaged it, causing the boat to sink.

PATTAYA – October 5, 2012 [PDN]; at 10 a.m., a report of a capsized speedboat that left tourists floating in the sea off Laem Balihai was received by Pol. Lt. Sirichok Kangvarnvanich, officer on duty, Pattaya police station, Chonburi province. He rushed to inspect the scene with Pol. Col. Thammanoon Munkong, Superintendent; Pol. Lt. Col. Kiettisak Sathongoy, Deputy Superintendent; Mr. Pakorn Sukonthachart, Pattaya Deputy; Mr. Sanit Boonmachai, the Chairman of the committee of maintaining safety in Pattaya; and Mr. Phumpipat Kamolnart, Secretary of the Lord Mayor, Pattaya; and the rescue officers of Sawangboribulthammasathan.

Rescuers also brought a rubber boat to assist the victims. The capsized boat and floating tourists were about 200 meters from the bridge of Laem Balihai, south Pattaya, Moo 10 Tambon Nong Preu, Amphur Banglamung, Chonburi province.

Rescuers discovered the damaged craft floating in the water, a 17-foot long speedboat named “S. Seaworld” that was equipped with 24 seats. Water had flowing into the boat after the hull cracked from the impact of a wave.

Floating widely scattered around the lifeboat were 22 Korean tourists, a Thai guide and the boat driver. Rescue officers rushed to assist all of them safely. They were all wearing lifejackets and no one was seriously injured. One Korean woman tourist who had choked on sea water was sent to Pattaya Memorial hospital.

Police questioned the Thai tour guide, Ms. Pakkaporn Soonthornmajcha, age 30. She said that in the morning she had taken 22 Korean tourists to travel to Koh Larn island. For the return trip, she had hired the speedboat to bring everybody to the boat parking lot at Laem Balihai

But on the way back, she observed that the driver was going excessively fast, and large ocean waves were continually battering the boat. When they were about 200 meters from Laem Balihai, sea water began flowing into the boat from the damaged hull. This greatly frightened the tourists. Within 3 minutes, the boat began sinking, which caused the tourists to abandon ship and end up floating in the sea. Fortunately everyone wore life-preserver jackets so they were safe, but their properties such as cameras, video recorders and wallets got wet from water and were damaged.

Officers inspected the speed boat and initially discovered a big crack in the boat’s hull that was about 1 foot wide. Officers assumed the damage had been caused by the impact of the sea waves severely striking the hull, allowing water to rush in and sink the boat.

The police restrained the boat’s driver, Mr. Chusak Prasarnkaew, age 46, to investigate in more detail and to inspect for his boat driving license. Official will also inspect for the boat more closely, and if they find that the watercraft is below standard, the police will also prosecute the owner of the boat.