Into the light: Inspection of ‘Phoenix’ wreck unveils details, inconsistencies

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

Immigration Chief Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn inspects the recovered wreck of the tour boat ‘Phoenix’ at Ratanachai Shipyard east of Phuket Town on Wednesday (Nov 21). Photo: Immigration Bureau
 

PHUKET: The recovery of the Phoenix tour boat from the seabed at a depth of 45 metres south of Koh Hei (Coral Island) – where it sank in a storm on July 5 – this week marked the beginning of the investigation into whether any structural or mechanical failures of the boat caused or contributed to the death of 47 Chinese tourists in Thailand’s worst maritime disaster in modern history.

 

The investigation is now an integral part of a full-scale campaign to regain Chinese tourists’ confidence to travel to Thailand as a safe holiday destination.

 

Thai-Singaporean shipbuilders Seacrest Marine, brought in after the previous salvage company Spitz Tech Co Ltd failed to recover the boat after four months of foul weather during the southwest monsoon, raised the Phoenix to the surface last Saturday (Nov 17).

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/into-the-light-inspection-of-phoenix-wreck-unveils-details-inconsistencies-69457.php#5GMqgCjwAEvZuBUb.97

 

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2018-11-24

I see to many "investigators" on board, This way the real ones can't do their job!

In true thai fashion'' its all about the noise and the optics''...

any persons found guilty in this case will be charged,” he assured.
So found guilty then charged,

regards Worgeordie

Just the usual BS, what on earth does he know about marine disaster investigation?

Answer absolutely nothing, just another stupid photo op, look at me doing a great job.????

23 minutes ago, mok199 said:

In true thai fashion'' its all about the noise and the optics''...

So much "disagreement" about the details in the article, it brings to mind a famous saying the words of which you have to reassemble...………...

 

In a brewery, organise, a piss up could not.

"The investigation is now an integral part of a full-scale campaign to regain Chinese tourists’ confidence to travel to Thailand as a safe holiday destination."

Unfortunately the "Chinese tourists’ confidence" ship let the dock for good shortly after the sinking of the Phoenix, ne'er to return to port.

I still can't work out why BJ as the acting head of immigration is involved in this at all

42 minutes ago, lensta said:

I still can't work out why BJ as the acting head of immigration is involved in this at all

Why? He's just so photogenic, didn't you realise?

12 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Why? He's just so photogenic, didn't you realise?

If old fatty wants you to become the next PM you need to be recognised by all Somchais.

I managed the build of my own 30 ton timber built long range trawler yacht 12 years ago. The Marine Dept. did not require 1 single page of a plan.  Perhaps that was because the boat was not intended for commercial service. I don't know. They did inspect it and they did require a fee of 30,000 TB because it "used a bus engine". Which was a nearly new Hino 13 litre 6 cyl. diesel. Of course no receipt was given.

2 hours ago, worgeordie said:

So found guilty then charged

Since he is in charge of something this is the style.

1 hour ago, lensta said:

acting

you replying yourself in your question...

So the usual "no officials are facing any charges"......

Did Phuket marine dept. allow this vessel to operate?

5 hours ago, lensta said:

I still can't work out why BJ as the acting head of immigration is involved in this at all

He's Prawits lap dog and Prawit is the lap dog of those who make the big baht from the Chinese tour groups.

How sad

11 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The investigation is now an integral part of a full-scale campaign to regain Chinese tourists’ confidence to travel to Thailand as a safe holiday destination.

What if said inv' uncovers big scale buffoonery , stupity and negligence ? are they really likely to state any such findings in a schmooze campaign to lure ( as they like to put it sometimes ) Chinese peoples back .. Far better maybe to say " when your here just avoid getting on a boat .. or a bus .. or a minivan " etc .. 

13 hours ago, colinneil said:

just another stupid photo op, look at me doing a great job.????

Thai welfare.

Better engine, more pumps that work, good batteries, just to name a few

likely issues.

I imagine the Thai Marine Department must have been involved in licensing and inspecting this boat and should probably share responsibility for the disaster, if it is found any design or construction issues contributed to the cause ?

30 minutes ago, cracker1 said:

I imagine the Thai Marine Department must have been involved in licensing and inspecting this boat and should probably share responsibility for the disaster, if it is found any design or construction issues contributed to the cause ?

Whatever the REAL cause, if it implicates someone well connected, a Govt dept or plain neglect of regulations or enforcement thereof, then expect a whitewash. 

7 hours ago, xylophone said:

Whatever the REAL cause, if it implicates someone well connected, a Govt dept or plain neglect of regulations or enforcement thereof, then expect a whitewash. 

 

"then expect a whitewash" - or a scapegoat.  

20 hours ago, Justgrazing said:

What if said inv' uncovers big scale buffoonery , stupity and negligence ? are they really likely to state any such findings in a schmooze campaign to lure ( as they like to put it sometimes ) Chinese peoples back .. Far better maybe to say " when your here just avoid getting on a boat .. or a bus .. or a minivan " etc .. 

That's exactly why they want to control this investigation, so they can stop any real damaging info or root cause (the truth!) going out in the open.