Tourism operators demand improved marine safety in Thailand

[webfact]

 

Recurring incidents of marine accidents in Thailand’s popular tourist destinations have prompted tourism operators to call on government authorities for an improved marine safety with alert system and tighter regulation of unlicensed boats. This plea comes in the wake of multiple boat sinkings in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

 

Numerous tourism boats, operating in highly frequented locations like Phangnga, Koh Tao in Surat Thani, and Pattaya, have recently succumbed to heavy waves, leading to lost tourists at sea. These recent accidents have caused widespread concern among tourism operators, as they fear a significant dent in tourist confidence, particularly during the high season when foreign tourists throng to Thailand’s islands.

 

According to Sasithorn Kittidhrakul, president of the Krabi Tourism Association, the Marine Department typically checks boats, safety equipment, and the credentials of crew and passengers before the vessels set off. However, if there’s no warning from the department based on weather forecasts, most sea tour operators proceed with their schedules, reports Bangkok Post.

She emphasised the need for an in-depth investigation into each accident to ascertain whether they resulted from inadequate preparation, insufficient official alerts, or issues beyond the operators’ control. She called upon the relevant authorities to enhance the accuracy of weather forecasts.

 

by Alex Morgan

Photo courtesy of Simon Hurry (Unsplash)

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-12-27

 

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[2baht]

Just now, webfact said:

These recent accidents have caused widespread concern among tourism operators, as they fear a significant dent in tourist confidence, particularly during the high season when foreign tourists throng to Thailand’s islands.

Quick, get a coat of paint on them boats, make them look like new! 

[Robin]

Despite what the news would have us believe, thereare NO 'humensous waves' in the gulf of Thailand.  3-4 m is the maximum possible given wind strength and distance for he waves to build.

What there is an abundnce of is unseaworthy boats , incompetent captains, untrined crew, and probably lax safety inspections.  Until all of these are addressed, there will continue tobe marine accidents.

[Will B Good]

I guess they have to be seen to demand stuff like this.........yet in their hearts they know they are just wasting their breath.

[spidermike007]

This is amusing, go ahead and make your demands, see if it makes any difference. The marine safety, the traffic safety, the public safety, and the consumer safety does not seem to mean anything here, to the little men in charge. 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Recurring incidents of marine accidents in Thailand’s popular tourist destinations have prompted tourism operators to call on government authorities for an improved marine safety with alert system and tighter regulation of unlicensed boats. This plea comes in the wake of multiple boat sinkings in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

Amazing Thailand.

[hotchilli]

53 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This is amusing, go ahead and make your demands, see if it makes any difference. The marine safety, the traffic safety, the public safety, and the consumer safety does not seem to mean anything here, to the little men in charge. 

Money counts, people are expendable.

[2baht]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This is amusing, go ahead and make your demands, see if it makes any difference. The marine safety, the traffic safety, the public safety, and the consumer safety does not seem to mean anything here, to the little men in charge. 

Un natural attrition!

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This is amusing, go ahead and make your demands, see if it makes any difference. The marine safety, the traffic safety, the public safety, and the consumer safety does not seem to mean anything here, to the little men in charge. 

Not even the Thai Royal Navy is immune to boating accidents. Witness in 2022 that 30 sailors were left without life jackets when their vessel sunk from some seawater getting into the electrical system. If the navy can't get water safety right, who's capable?

[ChrisY1]

Thailand has thousands of laws to prevent just this issue.....but the entire population knows that a few hundred baht, means those laws are useless.

[spidermike007]

2 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Not even the Thai Royal Navy is immune to boating accidents. Witness in 2022 that 30 sailors were left without life jackets when their vessel sunk from some seawater getting into the electrical system. If the navy can't get water safety right, who's capable?

 

Well admittedly that particular situation was quite a marine abomination, not sure why they captain of that ship did not lose his job and get his license to pilot a ship revoked, but it is fairly difficult for the armed forces here to take responsibility for their actions. I'm sure there was an awful lot of denial and obfuscation that went on, over that so-called accident. Negligence is likely more like it. 

[stix40]

They need to replace the buoyancy aids , the ones with ducks or swans  on the front are definitely not up to standard ! 

[cncltd1973]

Thailand

Laws

Safety

where to begin? 

[daveAustin]

Just marine safety?

[ThaiFelix]

I guess Thailand has had an extremely good run marine safety wise and because of this impeccable record have let their guard down a bit, I mean there doesnt seem to have been a major disaster for at least a week or so!