Thai PM Calls for Urgent Safety Review Following Tragic Chinese Boat Deaths

[webfact]

Thai PM Calls for Urgent Safety Review Following Tragic Chinese Boat Deaths

by Andrew J Wood

 

Chinese Tourists in Thailand

 

PHUKET: An urgent review has been called by the Thai PM and the Governor of Phuket to halt the wave of cancellations from Chinese tourists to Phuket. 

 

Phuket’s tourism industry is worried that the current spate of advance booking cancellations could be worse than first reported in the aftermath of the Phoenix boat disaster, which killed 47 tourists earlier this month. A record of poor safety standards, lack of accurate, timely information on the disaster along with disrespectful photographs of the deceased has angered Chinese relatives. Their anger has spread rapidly on Chinese social media platforms.

 

Initial reports suggest that around 7,500 rooms at approx two dozen hotels in Phuket booked by Chinese tourists, have been cancelled, causing a loss of millions of baht in losses. 

 

Kongkiat Khuphongsakorn, President of the Thai Hotels Association Southern Thailand chapter, said to local media, “The booking rate has fallen sharply by 80%-90% at Patong beach and by 50% across the province after the incident.”

 

In Phuket, Chinese tour companies are offered room rates of approx 1,000 (US$30) baht per night.

 

Mr Kongkiat was also reported saying, “The Phoenix tour boat disaster would affect Chinese tourists for the next three months but would only have a short-term impact on visitors from other countries.”

 

“News reports showing disrespectful images of the victims bodies being posted online has not helped, with family members angry over seeing their own family members’ bodies in pictures on the internet,” he added.

 

“It has turned sadness into anger, and many Chinese have cancelled their travel to the Phuket area,” Mr Kongsak said.

 

The number of Chinese visitors to Thailand has tripled in the past five years. Last year 9.8 million Chinese tourists came to Thailand, generating 500 billion baht (US$15 billion) in tourism revenue.

 

The Phoenix dive boat capsized with 101 people on board. On the day of the tragedy, 5th July 2018, the boat was returning after a trip to nearby islands. In heavy seas, it was carrying 89 tourists, 87 from China, and 12 crew.

 

From Chiang Rai Mr. Jaffee Yee publisher of Chinese language NiHao magazine, a specialist publication focusing on travel and tourism in Thailand said, “Perhaps the worse has yet to come [in regards to cancellations]...Thailand must put her act together as far as transport safety is concerned. So many innocent people, Thais or foreigners die each year simply due to the negligence of stakeholders and operators. The law is far too lenient. Heavy fines must be imposed and rogue operators banned for life.”

 

Industry sources agree and say the government's efforts to overhaul safety measures across all forms of transport will play a pivotal role in regaining the confidence of foreign travellers.

 

In terms of compensation, families of 36 of the 47 victims have contacted the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) to obtain compensation from Bangkok Insurance Pcl and Thaisri Insurance Pcl, according to the OIC.

 

So far 30.2 million baht (approx US$ 900,000) has been paid out by both companies.

 

Top-ranking officials and the Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have already begun rolling out their campaign to limit the fallout as fears grow over the volume of tour cancellations from mainland China.

 

Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed officials to investigate the case thoroughly.

 

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong headed a meeting this weekend in Phuket with Vice Admiral Somnuk Preampramot, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy Phuket Region 3 and Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Yuthasak Supasorn.

 

They are focusing on six main areas:

 

•COMMUNICATIONS: Disseminating information to Chinese media on the response operations and the support provided to the victims and their families

 

•SAFETY: Alleviating fears from Chinese tourists who are concerned about safety, and emergency rescue systems in place in Thailand

 

•MEDIA: Accurate, concise and timely media communications from official sources to counter-act social media gossip and inaccuracies during a crisis

 

•WEATHER REPORTING: Improved reporting and integration of the Thai Meteorological Department, which issues weather alerts, with radio; media and television. Hourly bulletins are required 24/7

 

•MARINE SAFETY: Marine Safety Regulations to be strictly enforced. Boats must be inspected for seaworthiness, safety equipment, navigation systems, life jackets and the competence of the captain and crew on board

 

Andrew J Wood

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-07-16

[PatOngo]

[NCC1701A]

“The booking rate has fallen sharply by 80%-90% at Patong beach and by 50% across the province after the incident.”

 

Ho Lee Fuk!

[NCC1701A]

"They are focusing on six main areas:"

 

This is the only one that will get done:

 

"•MEDIA: Accurate, concise and timely media communications from official sources to counter-act social media gossip and inaccuracies during a crisis."

 

  

[NCC1701A]

" Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed officials to investigate the case thoroughly."

 

I can save you the time. One word. Corruption. From top to bottom in everything.

[sammieuk1]

Review complete sorry come back we are losing money. 

[Emster23]

No "review" required. Enforce laws. Hold people responsible. Not rocket science

[smedly]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai PM Calls for Urgent Safety Review Following Tragic Chinese Boat Deaths

What safety ? there is none, only coin and greed, it would be the same everywhere except that agencies in more advanced countries actually enforce standards and hold people criminally responsible but then that costs money too - money Thailand has no interest in spending

 

Smoke on an open air beach properly using an ashtray and the Marine dept will hunt you down - hit you with a massive fine and lock you up in jail

[peperobi]

I saw in the last 22 year some boating accident with death peoples, always after the accident talking a lot and nothing changing. The same peoples lead the company's and the same "CAPTAINS" are in charge. 

[Lupatria]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

•MEDIA: Accurate, concise and timely media communications from official sources to counter-act social media gossip and inaccuracies during a crisis

What a welcomed opportunity to control and silence the media even more.

[Redline]

5 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Looks like suicide ?

[Redline]

 

This will not change anything 

[Juan B Tong]

I'd like see less Chinese in Pattaya.  Do you think it will happen here?

[Oziex1]

In my country as in many western countries, after a thorough and lengthy investigation of disasters of this type the Coroner hands down the findings.

These include highly detailed examinations of the facts in how systems failed or criminal negligence was involved. 

The reports can then used by Emergency services, Police, Medical organisations and Government to implement changes, or to pursue criminal charges.

The system is is good but not perfect as the findings contain only recommendations for change and unless acted upon by government legislation change is not guaranteed, however findings of criminal negligence will be investigated.

 

In developing nations, I think the system is blame someone else then forget about it,

[Classic Ray]

This says it all really.

The laws have been in force for years, just not being enforced.

 

Weather reports, skilled captains should already know how to access these.

 

The rest, just effort at restoring and protecting face and image to persuade tourists to return. 

 

Any bets which will receive most effort?

[Tug]

I’m sure the USA coastguard the regulatory body here in the USA would help the thais set up a proper regulatory body to approve design construction inspection liscenceing it works here 

[Redline]

17 hours ago, Classic Ray said:

This says it all really.

The laws have been in force for years, just not being enforced.

 

Weather reports, skilled captains should already know how to access these.

 

The rest, just effort at restoring and protecting face and image to persuade tourists to return. 

 

Any bets which will receive most effort?

Greed plain and simple 

[sawadee1947]

Oh my God....... Thais are losing money..... That must not happen. Now PM has to act. Maybe even some of his cronies are hotel owners????