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

[CFCol]

4 hours ago, jcmj said:

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. 

Monsoon season in Surat is Nov and Dec.

On Samui yesterday and Saturday we had a lot of heavy rain and strong winds with it.

[PETERTHEEATER]

The article indicates that there were other boats in the area yet only this one was affected by the weather.......🤔

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Search Continues for Missing French Tourist After Boat Capsizes in Surat Thani

 

 

Authorities in Surat Thani are continuing their search for a missing French tourist after a tour boat capsized due to heavy rain and strong winds at the Ratchaprapha Dam reservoir on November 23, 2024.

 

November 25,, the operations centre and relevant agencies launched an integrated search effort with the following actions:

 

1. 09:00  – A meeting was held to outline search plans. Authorities decided to first use sonar scanning to identify suspicious objects. If potential findings were detected, underwater drones would capture images for confirmation before divers were deployed.

 

2. 09:30  – The Royal Thai Police marine sonar team began scanning the area, while divers from Phuket arrived to prepare for initial operations.

 

3. 10:30  – Additional sonar equipment from Phuket was brought in to support the search.

 

4. 11:30 AM – Two divers from Phuket commenced underwater search operations, supported by rescue foundation relief team.

 

As of 12:00 November 25, the missing individual has not been located.

 

Authorities continue to coordinate efforts in hopes of resolving the incident.

 

Picture from the search teams.

 

-- 2024-11-24

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Underwater Search Halted for Missing Tourist in Cheow Lan Reservoir

 

 

Authorities have suspended underwater search operations for a missing French tourist after a tour boat capsized in the Ratchaprapha Dam (Cheow Lan Reservoir) near Khao Sam Kloe in Ban Ta Khun District, Surat Thani, on November 23. The missing individual, identified as Mr. Rene, Mary Corre, 77, was aboard the boat when it sank.

 

Search efforts over the past three days, using sonar equipment, underwater drones, and divers, have failed to locate the missing person or the boat within the targeted one-square-kilometre radius. It is believed that the boat’s engine continued running after it sank, possibly causing it to drift from its initial location.

 

On November 26, a meeting was held at the search command centre at Ban Cheow Lan Pier, led by Mr. Chawalit Chuaysong, Mayor of Ban Cheow Lan Municipality. Officials from various sectors, including police, rescue teams, and divers, decided to halt underwater search efforts due to numerous obstacles, such as submerged trees and branches that hinder visibility and exploration by underwater drones.

 

Police Colonel Sirichai Suksat, Deputy Commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police, stated that while a suspicious object resembling the boat was detected at a depth of 60-80 meters, divers confirmed it to be a large tree with a flashlight bag entangled in its branches. The bag was identified as belonging to the boat, but neither the vessel nor the missing tourist was found.

 

The search will now shift to surface patrols using boats from the park and the Department of Fisheries. Additionally, investigations on land, including checks at floating accommodations, hotels, hospitals, and local communities, have yielded no clues about the missing tourist.

 

Colonel Sirichai also noted that the missing tourist had traveled alone with a tour group and had no relatives or companions. The Surat Thani Provincial Police will compile a report and notify the French embassy to assist in contacting the tourist’s family.

 

Further plans will be developed if no progress is made after three more days of surface searches.

 

Picture of the search and underwater images.

-- 2024-11-26