Tourists storm-stranded on Koh Racha safely returned to Phuket

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The 33 tourists, including some from China,Russia, Australia, South Africa and the Netherlands, disembark safely at Chalong Pier late yesterday afternoon (July 18). Photo: Phuket Marine Police

 

PHUKET: A Marine Police boat was dispatched to safely recover 33 tourists stranded on Koh Racha Yai late yesterday (July 18) due to the strong storm conditions.

 

The tourists had arrived on the island by speedboat but could not safely return to Phuket due to the strong wind and waves.

The wind was so strong that they could net even board the speedboat from the beach, and the Marine Department Region 5 Office in Phuket was called for assistance.

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/tourists-storm-stranded-on-koh-racha-safely-returned-to-phuket-67939.php#kZjMxC8Jzsxb3VzR.99 

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2018-07-19

Lessons learned ???

So government boats rescuing private businesses and their customers?  I wonder how much the government will be charging the private speed boat company?

 

Looking at the weather forecast, weather was supposed to be much worse then the D day ( drowning day) from the Chinese incident.  

How could 60 become 33? Have more people been falling in to the sea without a life vest?

17 minutes ago, Get Real said:

How could 60 become 33? Have more people been falling in to the sea without a life vest?

Please read the article, it mentions the others are on Racha Yai.

9 hours ago, steelepulse said:

So government boats rescuing private businesses and their customers?  I wonder how much the government will be charging the private speed boat company?

 

Looking at the weather forecast, weather was supposed to be much worse then the D day ( drowning day) from the Chinese incident.  

Authorities don't allow boats to Racha Yai. With people staying there and having scheduled flights they have to make a choice: leave them there and be blamed for that, or take them off so they can fly home.

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

Please read the article, it mentions the others are on Racha Yai.

Yep, right! Must be very hard to see to the need of everybody. Didn´t think about that. Sorry, dude!

Why did the Dutchies and Ozzies go on a boattrip there when a storm is coming? Didn't they follow the news? 

It's not the first time the Navy has been called in to return tourists to the mainland because of weather. I remember a similar occasion some years ago.