Tour Boat Capsizes in Cheow Lan Dam in Storm: Search for Missing French Tourist

[Georgealbert]

 

 

A long-tail tour boat carrying 13 people capsized in the Cheow Lan Dam lake(Ratchaprapha Dam) in Surat Thani province after being hit by a sudden storm, leaving one French tourist missing and others injured.

 

The incident occurred just before noon on November 23, near the scenic Three Friends Mountain (Khao Sam Kler), a popular tourist attraction in the area. The missing passenger, 83-year-old Mr. Rene Mary Corre, was among a group of 10 French tourists on a trip to Thailand, guided by a local tour company.

 

According to Ms. Petchaluck Ruchirawarat, the group’s tour guide, the weather was initially clear when they departed from the pier to explore the dam, often called “Thailand’s Guilin” for its stunning limestone formations. “The sky was beautiful when we started,” she recounted. “The group took photos at a popular spot, and everything seemed normal. But just seven minutes after we left the photo area, dark clouds appeared, and heavy rain with strong winds struck suddenly, capsizing the boat at 11:45.”

 

Ms. Petchaluck confirmed that all passengers were wearing life jackets when the boat overturned. Most of the group, including the guide and the boat operator, were rescued by nearby tour boats. However, Mr. Corre was swept away by strong currents.

 

Following the incident, search and rescue operations were launched, coordinated by district officials and national park authorities. GPS tracking from the missing tourist’s phone led rescuers to find a floating bag belonging to him near the scene.

 

Twelve individuals, including four French tourists who suffered minor injuries, were brought back to safety. Two of them were treated for chest pains and water inhalation at a local hospital, while another was transferred to Surat Thani Hospital for further care.

 

At 18:00 search efforts were suspended due to worsening weather and rough water conditions, with operations set to resume on November 24 at first light..

 

Local authorities are investigating the cause of the accident and have questioned the boat operator. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable weather conditions that can occur during Thailand’s monsoon season, even on seemingly clear days.

 

Authorities urged operators and tourists to exercise caution and stay updated on weather forecasts when exploring natural attractions.

 

Picture from responders.

-- 2024-11-24

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
French Tourist Still Missing After Boat Capsizes at Ratchaprapa Dam

 

 

Authorities are continuing their search for a missing French tourist after a longtail boat capsized on 23 November, near the famous “Guilin of Thailand,” or Khao Sam Kloe, in the reservoir of Ratchaprapa Dam (also known as Cheow Lan Dam) in Surat Thani province.

 

As of the morning  of 24 November, there has been no sign of the missing tourist. Search efforts led by officials from Khao Sok National Park and other agencies are ongoing but have been hindered by continuous rainfall and the remote location, approximately 20 kilometres from the pier.

 

Somchat, the boat operator of the capsized vessel, stated that the incident occurred due to a sudden gust of wind. “At the time, the engine was running at low power, and the boat’s balance was unstable. A strong wind flipped the boat over,” he explained. He insisted that the boat was not overloaded, carrying 13 passengers, including himself.

 

“Other boats nearby, over 10 of them, immediately came to help. A guide mentioned that one tourist may have been assisted by others, so we remain hopeful the tourist is safe,” Somchat added.

 

Authorities are intensifying their search operations as families of the missing tourist await news.

 

Picture of search area.

-- 2024-11-24

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Underwater Drones Deployed in Search for Missing Tourist

 

 

Authorities have established a rescue operation centre and deployed underwater drones in an effort to locate a missing tourist after a sightseeing boat capsized at Ratchaprapha Dam, also known as Cheow Lan Lake, in Surat Thani.

 

on November 24, a meeting was held at the Ban Cheow Lan Municipal Pier, chaired by Mr. Chaowalit Chuaysong, Mayor of Ban Cheow Lan Subdistrict Municipality. Participants included officials from Khao Sok National Park, Ban Cheow Lan Municipality, Surat Thani Provincial Police, Ban Ta Khun Police Station, Tourist Police, and other relevant agencies.

 

A dedicated search centre has been established, focusing on searching accommodations and nearby shorelines, with the hope that the missing tourist may have been rescued by another boat amidst the chaos. In addition, Khao Sok National Park officials have deployed underwater drones to scan the area where the boat sank.

 

Preliminary findings of the incident, revealed that the boat operator possessed a valid license, the vessel was legally registered, and insurance was in place for the tourists. Authorities determined the incident was caused by unforeseeable natural factors.

 

Tourist Police have interviewed the surviving foreign tourists. The tour company has provided accommodations in Surat Thani City for eight tourists, while one injured individual remains hospitalised at Surat Thani Hospital. Police and Tourist Police have visited the hospital to monitor the victim’s condition.

 

The rescue operation continues as authorities intensify efforts to locate the missing tourist using advanced equipment and coordinated planning.

 

Picture of the drones being used in the search.

-- 2024-11-24

 

[jcmj]

Hope they find him soon. Very sad news. I didn’t realize it was still considered monsoon season though. I thought we were in the winter season but with more rainfall as usual this time of year. Never underestimate Mother Nature. 

[kwaussie]

Strange to lose someone when they were all supposedly wearing life jackets. 

[NedR69]

Boats in Thailand - ferries, long tail, large, small, whatever type that carries passengers/customers are in the same league as motorbike taxis. 

If you board one, you are putting your life at the mercy of the boat operator and the tour operator.  If that is the only mode of transport to a location, I won't be visiting it.  In more developed countries, the first thing that would happen to the person in charge of the boat and all crew members - a urine test for alcohol and drugs...and not the BS roadside quickie test but the kind that go to a lab for testing.  

[hotchilli]

On 11/24/2024 at 4:46 AM, Georgealbert said:

A long-tail tour boat carrying 13 people capsized in the Cheow Lan Dam (Ratchaprapha Dam) in Surat Thani province after being hit by a sudden storm, leaving one French tourist missing and others injured

Thailand just never seems to learn.... safety is the key word.

[mdr224]

Not worth the risk to snorkle and see some island beaches. Thailand has no liability for deceased tourists

[nobodysfriend]

On 11/24/2024 at 4:46 AM, Georgealbert said:

The missing passenger, 83-year-old Mr. Rene Mary Corre, was among a group of 10 French tourists on a trip to Thailand

 

At 83 , some would say that he was lucky to avoid a slow death in a hospital etc ... RIP

[Classic Ray]

Long tail boats are inherently unstable, their narrow beam and high mounted truck engine making them vulnerable to winds and currents from the side.

 

They should be banned for passenger use but won’t be as they are cheap to buy and run and make more profit for their owners at the expense of their passengers’ lives.

[neeray]

Too sad. Fly to Thailand for a vacation, go home in a box.

[soalbundy]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Thailand just never seems to learn.... safety is the key word.

Really? What safety feature was missing? Any attempt to rubbish Thailand is good enough apparently.........this wasn't the Concordia.

[Ralf001]

strong currents in a dam ?

[soalbundy]

1 hour ago, mdr224 said:

Not worth the risk to snorkle and see some island beaches. Thailand has no liability for deceased tourists

That should certainly worry a dead tourist

[soalbundy]

1 hour ago, NedR69 said:

Boats in Thailand - ferries, long tail, large, small, whatever type that carries passengers/customers are in the same league as motorbike taxis. 

If you board one, you are putting your life at the mercy of the boat operator and the tour operator.  If that is the only mode of transport to a location, I won't be visiting it.  In more developed countries, the first thing that would happen to the person in charge of the boat and all crew members - a urine test for alcohol and drugs...and not the BS roadside quickie test but the kind that go to a lab for testing.  

Is that what they did to the captain of the Concordia?

[quake]

R.I.P to the old guy.

Safety first, not.

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, NedR69 said:

Boats in Thailand - ferries, long tail, large, small, whatever type that carries passengers/customers are in the same league as motorbike taxis. 

If you board one, you are putting your life at the mercy of the boat operator and the tour operator.  If that is the only mode of transport to a location, I won't be visiting it.  In more developed countries, the first thing that would happen to the person in charge of the boat and all crew members - a urine test for alcohol and drugs...and not the BS roadside quickie test but the kind that go to a lab for testing.  

 

Strange comment - total over-reaction

Does your mum still hold your hand when you cross the road?

If you read the report, all sensible precautions had been taken.

The storm came in very quickly - with minutes.

They do that in monsoon season here. Then 5 minutes later, they can be gone.

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

strong currents in a dam

If spillway is open or water is overflowing dam top

[Srikcir]

14 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities determined the incident was caused by unforeseeable natural factors.

But

21 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

the boat’s balance was unstable

Was this also unforeseen?

Suggests overloaded, people standing, etc. that a boat operator would see. The investigation should go further.

[Peterphuket]

3 hours ago, NedR69 said:

Boats in Thailand - ferries, long tail, large, small, whatever type that carries passengers/customers are in the same league as motorbike taxis. 

If you board one, you are putting your life at the mercy of the boat operator and the tour operator.  If that is the only mode of transport to a location, I won't be visiting it.  In more developed countries, the first thing that would happen to the person in charge of the boat and all crew members - a urine test for alcohol and drugs...and not the BS roadside quickie test but the kind that go to a lab for testing.  

Not only that, it is the indifference of the Thai people, the ‘Mai Pen Rai’ mentality.
The very first time I came to Thailand, that was also with a group on holiday, we were also crammed into a small boat and sailed into Pang Nga Bay, even then there was a big storm, fortunately nothing happened, but this does indicate how easily people think about seemingly non-dangerous situations can be or become very dangerous.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

[Sig]

I find the statements from Ms. Petchaluck Ruchirawarat, highly suspect. And not like she doesn't have anything to lose, being the group’s tour guide. I think I'd find a more reliable witness to ascertain whether or not "the weather was initially clear when they departed" and just 7 minutes later heavy rain and winds hit? I've been in the tropics and Thailand enough years to have seen hundreds of those kinds of storms/squalls hit... you ALWAYS see them coming IF you're paying attention. And if they didn't see it 7 minutes in advance, there's no way on earth that they couldn't have seen it 3 minutes in advance, giving them enough time to turn around and high tail it back to shore. TOTALLY unbelievable. Just completely oblivious, irresponsible, and negligent operators. They should all lose their businesses and be brought to criminal court for negligence. A life was lost!
This same Ms. Petchaluck Ruchirawarat also claims they were all wearing life jackets.... Yeah, ok... and I'm assuming Ms. Petchaluck also checked to be sure each individual was wearing them properly, since it's her responsibility to be sure her customers are kept safe, especially when dealing with elderly, who, not uncommonly, may not be paying attention to the details around them. When is the last time someone wearing a life jacket drowned? She's doing some CYA here. Why don't they interview somebody else who can give more reliable testimony than someone who has a livelihood to lose? I wouldn't believe her as far as I could throw her, and I'm assuming she's morbidly obese.

Edited 5 minutes ago by Sig

[Peterphuket]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

Strange comment - total over-reaction

Does your mum still hold your hand when you cross the road?

If you read the report, all sensible precautions had been taken.

The storm came in very quickly - with minutes.

They do that in monsoon season here. Then 5 minutes later, they can be gone.

You already give the answer yourself which shows, the comment is not that strange, simple, you do NOT go on the water with the monsoon season here and you know the weather can turn in 5 minutes in disaster.

[lordgrinz]

3 hours ago, kwaussie said:

Strange to lose someone when they were all supposedly wearing life jackets. 

 

They showed him on the TV news wearing a lifejacket, but it looked much too small for his size, so maybe floating half way down?