POLICE in Thailand say a boat that sank in July in rough weather off the southern resort island of Phuket, killing 47 Chinese tourists, did not meet regulatory standards.
The July 5 sinking of the Phoenix was one of Thailand’s worst recent tourism-related disasters.
Three of the boat’s operators have been charged with negligence causing death – which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison – and a Marine Department official is one of at least two other people facing criminal charges.
Another boat also carrying Chinese tourists sank on the same day but those on board were rescued.
Immigration police chief major general Surachate Hakparn said additional suspects are under investigation.
Surachate told reporters that, according to investigations and examination of the vessel’s blueprints, the boat had only one watertight door instead of the recommended four, and it did not have “marine windows” that could
be broken open in an emergency.
“There were many people who
died on the boat because they couldn’t break the windows to
get out,” he said.
Police will produce a final report on their investigations next week.
The Phoenix was raised from the 150ft-deep sea floor on November 17 by a crane ship operated by a salvage company from Singapore. Covered in brown algae and sludge, it was then docked at a pier in Phuket.
The first company hired to salvage the boat lost a member of its team during its failed operation to lift the vessel.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here