Parasailing Operator Dies in Phuket Fall Incident

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture and video courtesy of Phuketinsta telegram channel.

 

An incident has claimed the life of a 31-year-old parasailing operator off Karon Beach in Phuket. The operator, identified as Mr. Pathompong, fell from a height of 50 metres while assisting a tourist in a parasailing activity. The incident, which occurred on the evening of 5 January, has raised serious safety concerns surrounding the activity.

 

A video clip, approximately 25 seconds in length, captured by a tourist, shows the moment the parasail was launched into the sky. According to witnesses, strong winds caused the operator to lose his grip and fall from the parasail, hitting the water with great force. Reports indicate that Mr. Pathompong suffered severe injuries and was bleeding from the mouth and nose when rescued.

 

Efforts to save him were immediate, with the parasailing team taking him to a nearby hospital in a tuk-tuk after an ambulance failed to arrive in time. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries en route to Chalong Hospital.

 

This incident is not the first of its kind. Sources revealed that the same operator had fallen from a parasail on multiple occasions before. Following this latest incident, the parasailing company, reportedly linked to a local political group in Karon, has compensated the deceased’s family with 50,000 baht to assist with funeral arrangements.

 

Local authorities, including representatives from the Phuket Office of Tourism and Sports, the Karon Municipality, and Karon Police, have launched a joint investigation into the incident. A safety review of parasailing operations at Karon Beach is also underway.

 

Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee has called for a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the incident. Speaking to the press, he stated that relevant agencies have been tasked with proposing new safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The MP is expected to visit Karon Beach on 11 January to inspect the site and discuss safety protocols with parasailing operators.

 

-- 2025-01-11

 

 

Caution video shows the man falling.

 

[ChrisY1]

"has raised serious safety concerns "

 

How many times have we heard this?

[MikeandDow]

Thai safety!!  They have NO idea ?? They always launched an investigation  but that is it, no outcome, no prosecution of the employer, Thailand has a plethora of safety rules and Reg's but NO enforcement

the Primary legislation to regulate occupational safety and health (OSH) in Thailand is Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Act B.E. 2554 (2011). The act clarifies responsibilities and duties of employer and employee as well as those of governments. Employer shall provide a safe working environment for employees.

[ronster]

Did a similar one not happen last year ?

The guy helping went up and was standing on the cords and ropes while the customer was clipped in , eventually lost his grip and fell.

[Antti]

"an ambulance failed to arrive in time." Real icing on the cake in this advertisement for the world class family friendly tourist destination. Rip to the operator anyway.

[MikeandDow]

1 hour ago, Antti said:

"an ambulance failed to arrive in time." Real icing on the cake in this advertisement for the world class family friendly tourist destination. Rip to the operator anyway.

"world class family friendly tourist destination." Think that is a bit of a stretch !!!!   you have to remember "Lives are cheap in asia"  "an ambulance failed to arrive in time." Do you think the Thai's care !!!

[chub]

The same operator on Karon Beach

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, ronster said:

Did a similar one not happen last year ?

The guy helping went up and was standing on the cords and ropes while the customer was clipped in , eventually lost his grip and fell.

 

Could have been the same guy...    multiple times before !!

 

I've no idea why they 'hang-on' like that and join the 'tourists' in a ride, when elsewhere the operators do not.

 

9 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

This incident is not the first of its kind. Sources revealed that the same operator had fallen from a parasail on multiple occasions before.

[Liverpool Lou]

2 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Thai safety!!  They have NO idea ?? They always launched an investigation  but that is it, no outcome, no prosecution of the employer, Thailand has a plethora of safety rules and Reg's but NO enforcement

the Primary legislation to regulate occupational safety and health (OSH) in Thailand is Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Act B.E. 2554 (2011). The act clarifies responsibilities and duties of employer and employee as well as those of governments. Employer shall provide a safe working environment for employees.

He wasn't an employee, he was the business proprietor. 

 

"Thai safety!!  They have NO idea ?? They always launched an investigation  but that is it, no outcome, no prosecution of the employer..."

On what do you base that allegation of no employers ever being penalised?

[madone]

15 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

I've no idea why they 'hang-on' like that and join the 'tourists' in a ride, when elsewhere the operators do not.

becaus its a rush and they can, obviously these guys have developed a taste for showing off and thrill-seeking. tourists are strapped and need exert no control over the sail. there is no need for the operator to go up with them. 

[NickyLouie]

27 minutes ago, chub said:

The same operator on Karon Beach

 

Good Lord !

 

I certainly hope the Chappie had sufficient life insurance  

[stevenl]

7 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

He wasn't an employee, he was the business proprietor. 

 

On what do you base that conclusion? I very much doubt he was the business proprietor.

[MikeandDow]

6 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

He wasn't an employee, he was the business proprietor. 

 

"Thai safety!!  They have NO idea ?? They always launched an investigation  but that is it, no outcome, no prosecution of the employer..."

On what do you base that allegation of no employers ever being penalised?

Please show where it says he was the Business proprietor because it can not find that ???

I have Never seen in the news or the internet that THAI employers have ever being penalised? please show links

I still stand by my stametment Thai safety is non existing 

[chub]

2 minutes ago, madone said:

I've no idea why they 'hang-on' like that and join the 'tourists' in a ride, when elsewhere the operators do not.

The parasail rides take off and land on the (crowded) beach.   The jockey is required to pull the lines that steer the parachute over the beach to land while the speed boat remains outside the wave zone.  Operating from the beach enables the touts to have direct contact with potential customers, keeps the chute out of the water and enables very quick changeover of riders, maximisesing revenue.  However, the speedboat sweeps along the shore line, dangerously close to swimmers and causes noise and exhaust fumes.  The boats have exposed propellers and usually only one crewman who is unabl to watch both the parachute behind and the swimmers in front, so the risks to swimmers is very severe. 

 

[MikeandDow]

41 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Could have been the same guy...    multiple times before !!

 

I've no idea why they 'hang-on' like that and join the 'tourists' in a ride, when elsewhere the operators do not.

 

You never been to Bali  Indonesia they do the same

[Liverpool Lou]

13 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Please show where it says he was the Business proprietor because it can not find that ???

I have Never seen in the news or the internet that THAI employers have ever being penalised? please show links

I still stand by my stametment Thai safety is non existing 

"An incident has claimed the life of a parasailing operator off Karon Beach in Phuket. The operator, identified as Mr. Pathompong ...

strong winds caused the operator to lose his grip ...  Sources revealed that the same operator had fallen from a parasail on multiple occasions before".

That suggests to me that  he was the operator of the business.

 

"I have Never seen in the news or the internet that THAI employers have ever being penalised? please show links..."

You're the one who made the claim that employers are never punished so the onus is on you to show links to justify your claim, not me!

[MikeandDow]

18 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"An incident has claimed the life of a parasailing operator off Karon Beach in Phuket. The operator, identified as Mr. Pathompong ...

strong winds caused the operator to lose his grip ...  Sources revealed that the same operator had fallen from a parasail on multiple occasions before".

That suggests to me that  he was the operator of the business.

 

"I have Never seen in the news or the internet that THAI employers have ever being penalised? please show links..."

You're the one who made the claim that employers are never punished so the onus is on you to show links to justify your claim, not me!

Ah!!! so you are Assuming he was the business proprietor !!!! because he was the operator !!! in other words you do not know!!! and i think i have justified my statment already I have Never seen in the news or the internet that THAI employers have ever being penalised? can not post if there is nothing their

[Liverpool Lou]

18 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Never seen in the news or the internet that THAI employers have ever being penalised? can not post if there is nothing their

"...can not post if there is nothing their [sic]"

...so you cannot rationally post that there have never been any penalties, either!   

Just because you have never seen the outcome of investigations in the press does not mean that there have never been any penalties.

[chub]

The last serious injury of a parasail rider in Karon Beach was ireported in February 2024.  As with the current accident, the ambulance took two hours to arrive.   The parasail operator was the same as involved in the current incident.  He's either unlucky, or careless! 

 

Phuket – A female Chinese tourist has broken her leg after a parasailing accident at Karon Beach.

The news went viral on Thai social media this week after the Facebook Page ‘Luijeen’ posted her story which is originally from the Chinese media., as seen below.

 

https://www.douyin.com/video/7340246270566567203 

 

The tourist said that on February 24th she was parasailing at Karon Beach but was unable to control the parasail causing it to hit the ground. Her leg broke in the incident. The parasail operator then called emergency services. The tourist said that she waited for two hours for an ambulance to arrive at the beach because of a traffic jam.

 

After she arrived at a hospital, she waited for another six hours until she was transferred to a private hospital because the first hospital did not have enough equipment. She had her leg stitched for an injury approximately 15 centimeters long.

 

By Goongnang Suksawat

 

Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-02-29

[MikeandDow]

6 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"...can not post if there is nothing their [sic]"

...so you cannot rationally post that there have never been any penalties, either!   

Just because you have never seen the outcome of investigations in the press does not mean that there have never been any penalties.

well please suppy the links

you are a well know troll on this forum and full of bs  so put up or shut up

[MikeandDow]

10 minutes ago, chub said:

The last serious injury of a parasail rider in Karon Beach was ireported in February 2024.  As with the current accident, the ambulance took two hours to arrive.   The parasail operator was the same as involved in the current incident.  He's either unlucky, or careless! 

 

Phuket – A female Chinese tourist has broken her leg after a parasailing accident at Karon Beach.

The news went viral on Thai social media this week after the Facebook Page ‘Luijeen’ posted her story which is originally from the Chinese media., as seen below.

 

https://www.douyin.com/video/7340246270566567203 

 

The tourist said that on February 24th she was parasailing at Karon Beach but was unable to control the parasail causing it to hit the ground. Her leg broke in the incident. The parasail operator then called emergency services. The tourist said that she waited for two hours for an ambulance to arrive at the beach because of a traffic jam.

 

After she arrived at a hospital, she waited for another six hours until she was transferred to a private hospital because the first hospital did not have enough equipment. She had her leg stitched for an injury approximately 15 centimeters long.

 

By Goongnang Suksawat

 

Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-02-29

and your point is ????

[richard_smith237]

44 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Could have been the same guy...    multiple times before !!

 

I've no idea why they 'hang-on' like that and join the 'tourists' in a ride, when elsewhere the operators do not.

 

You never been to Bali  Indonesia they do the same

 

I've no interest in Bali - everything I've heard about the place over the past 20 years puts me off...

It seems like just another Phuket - similar rip offs etc...  (though I do like Nai Harn).

 

It doesn't surprise me that this also happens in Bali... perhaps other area's were the 'beach boys' operate without health and safety constraints - this behavior alone is huge red flag to avoid these 'rides' in such areas.

[MikeandDow]

Just now, richard_smith237 said:

 

I've no interest in Bali - everything I've heard about the place over the past 20 years puts me off...

It seems like just another Phuket - similar rip offs etc...  (though I do like Nai Harn).

 

It doesn't surprise me that this also happens in Bali... perhaps other area's were the 'beach boys' operate without health and safety constraints - this behavior alone is huge red flag to avoid these 'rides' in such areas.

Been to Bali many times and yes same as Phuket same rip off same scams,  no sympathy for these beach boys

[bogozy]

55 minutes ago, chub said:

The parasail rides take off and land on the (crowded) beach.   The jockey is required to pull the lines that steer the parachute over the beach to land while the speed boat remains outside the wave zone.  Operating from the beach enables the touts to have direct contact with potential customers, keeps the chute out of the water and enables very quick changeover of riders, maximisesing revenue.  However, the speedboat sweeps along the shore line, dangerously close to swimmers and causes noise and exhaust fumes.  The boats have exposed propellers and usually only one crewman who is unabl to watch both the parachute behind and the swimmers in front, so the risks to swimmers is very severe. 

 

Yes Sir!  That was the correct description of what happened. 

Earlier the guy jump down in time, from the no dangerous heights. This time he was late. Maybe the strong wind lift up the chute faster as usual. 

[Kinok Farang]

These lads have balls of steel.

Fascinating and scary watching these guys.

Beats sitting at a desk any day of the week.

[Kinok Farang]

49 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"An incident has claimed the life of a parasailing operator off Karon Beach in Phuket. The operator, identified as Mr. Pathompong ...

strong winds caused the operator to lose his grip ...  Sources revealed that the same operator had fallen from a parasail on multiple occasions before".

That suggests to me that  he was the operator of the business.

 

"I have Never seen in the news or the internet that THAI employers have ever being penalised? please show links..."

You're the one who made the claim that employers are never punished so the onus is on you to show links to justify your claim, not me!

I was an operator of a cement mixer on site but didn't own it.

[stevenl]

31 minutes ago, Kinok Farang said:

I was an operator of a cement mixer on site but didn't own it.

Many will know Lou was wrong, but he'll never admit to that.

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

"has raised serious safety concerns "

 

How many times have we heard this?

And then forgotten

[MikeandDow]

38 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

And then forgotten

Yep !!! Thailand has no commitment towards safety all forgotten in a news cycle

[kwaussie]

Surely they could fit something as simple as a carabiner clip to the strings and securely fitted strap around waist to prevent falls.