Picture courtesy of เก็บข่าวพัทยา

 

A 60-year-old Russian woman was injured at Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya at 12.00 on 10 December 2025 after being crushed between a passenger boat and the pier rail while attempting to disembark. Rescue teams from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation rushed to the scene following reports that a foreign tourist had suffered a severe laceration and required urgent assistance. The victim received immediate first aid before being transported to Pattaya Memorial Hospital.

 

The incident occurred as the woman was returning with her family on a ferry from Koh Larn to the South Pattaya side of Bali Hai Pier. Witnesses reported that strong winds and waves caused the vessel to sway continuously as it approached the docking area, complicating safe disembarkation. As the boat shifted, the tourist attempted to step onto the pier but misjudged the movement and slipped along the boat’s edge.

 

During the fall, the boat lurched again and forcefully pinned her against the pier rail, causing the extensive wound described by rescue personnel. Eyewitness accounts confirmed that the weather conditions contributed significantly to the vessel’s instability at the moment of docking. The rescue unit noted that quick intervention was required due to the size and severity of the laceration.

 

Local maritime operators have previously cautioned passengers about increased risks during days of high wind and waves, which can make docking manoeuvres unpredictable. The latest incident may intensify calls for stricter safety procedures during adverse conditions, particularly at high-traffic piers such as Bali Hai. Officials have not yet issued a statement on whether additional safety reviews will be undertaken.

 

Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the docking process and assess whether further guidance is needed for ferry operators during turbulent weather. Medical staff at Pattaya Memorial Hospital will determine the next steps in the tourist’s treatment as her condition is monitored.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A 60-year-old Russian tourist was injured after being crushed between a ferry and pier rail at Bali Hai Pier.

• Strong winds and waves caused the boat to sway during docking, contributing to the incident.

• Authorities may review safety procedures for ferry operations in adverse weather conditions.

 

 

 Adapted by Asean Now from เก็บข่าวพัทยา 2025-12-11

 

This could have been avoided had the boat been secured to the dock and a proper gangway been used.

it might have been wise to wait until the boat was secured before trying to walk off. looking a little bit would also work very well.

49 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

This could have been avoided had the boat been secured to the dock and a proper gangway been used.

 

 

Yes but that's not how it's done here.

 

 

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

it might have been wise to wait until the boat was secured before trying to walk off. looking a little bit would also work very well.

 You don't know what the  boat crew said or did I have taken similar boats and the crews are often incompetent and/or distracted, or get their jollies watching farangs trip and fall.  

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

it might have been wise to wait until the boat was secured before trying to walk off. looking a little bit would also work very well.

 Normally in the 'real' world passengers cannot just 'walk off' any time the please. they must wait until the boat is firmly secured to the dock. The crew are supposed to know this!

Every time I was at Koh Larn disembarking was extremely sketchy. Long narrow wooden plank from boat to pier. One Thai guy at boat, other at pier trying to catch you, travelers trying to time waves so they can make leap of faith ... . 😑 And that was a calm sea and I wasn't morbidly obese middle aged russian woman. 🫡

4 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

This could have been avoided had the boat been secured to the dock and a proper gangway been used.

Right.I been working as a sailor for 23 years and never had any accidents.We allways make sure everything was ok before we left the ship.Secured to the dock..a proper gangway and a safety net in case people falls from the gangway.

 

37 minutes ago, norsurin said:

Right.I been working as a sailor for 23 years and never had any accidents.We allways make sure everything was ok before we left the ship.Secured to the dock..a proper gangway and a safety net in case people falls from the gangway.

I was never a sailor, but 20 years ago I  ran a tour boat business out of huahin ( pak nam pran) with a another westerner as a partner, We were probably 10 times  more safety conscious than the local Thai competition . Following that experience I would never ever set foot on any tourboat anywhere  in Thailand ever again  and would strongly advise others to follow my example   Thai safety standards are non existent (until its too late) and tourists can be incredibly stupid

2 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

 Normally in the 'real' world passengers cannot just 'walk off' any time the please. they must wait until the boat is firmly secured to the dock. The crew are supposed to know this!

Some tourists just will not be told either, they can be an absolute nightmare 

3 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

 

I was never a sailor, but 20 years ago I  ran a tour boat business out of huahin ( pak nam pran) with a another westerner as a partner, We were probably 10 times  more safety conscious than the local Thai competition . Following that experience I would never ever set foot on any tourboat anywhere  in Thailand ever again  and would strongly advise others to follow my example   Thai safety standards are non existent (until its too late) and tourists can be incredibly stupid

True.Im not surprised about all the accidents at the sea in Thailand.Boats capsizing and people drowning.

The boats overloaded without lifewests for all passengers.The same about all buss accidents.Totally lack of safety.

I took a bus from Bangkok to Prasat years ago.The busdriver fell asleep many times and his colleague wake him up when that happened.After that i never took a bus again.

Another very bad image for tourism in Thailand with lot of carelessness within the tourism operators. 

6 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

 Normally in the 'real' world passengers cannot just 'walk off' any time the please. they must wait until the boat is firmly secured to the dock. The crew are supposed to know this!

Yeah, but maybe they believe in the evolution theory.

7 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 You don't know what the  boat crew said or did I have taken similar boats and the crews are often incompetent and/or distracted, or get their jollies watching farangs trip and fall.  

Yeah, blame the boat crew for the stupid decision a foreigner made. Always find a way to blame the Thai´s, right? 

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, blame the boat crew for the stupid decision a foreigner made. Always find a way to blame the Thai´s, right? 

 

No. My comment is based upon experience and observation. The people who crew these vessels are untrained and poorly educated. They do not pass any licensing or certification course. I have seen how these vessels dock in Pattaya and some of these vessels are not appropriately secured to the dock. 

 

You are blaming the passenger for a situation that was not hers. The vessel was under the command and control of the Thai crew. It was the crew that gives the instruction to disembark. It is unlikely that an elderly woman would disembark without receiving the go ahead. You do not even know if she was first off or was one of many disembarking. There was no indication that the crew was assisting the passengers off the boat. 

 

The fact remains is that the "captain" of the vessel is responsible for the safety of the passengers. The crew are under the  command of the "captain". Injuries to passengers who are embarking/disembarking are the responsibility of the vessel operators. You may now  climb back on your horse and ride back to the castle of salvation, as the  boat's crew are not in need of Don Quixote to ride to their rescue.

 

4 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

You are blaming the passenger for a situation that was not hers. The vessel was under the command and control of the Thai crew. It was the crew that gives the instruction to disembark. It is unlikely that an elderly woman would disembark without receiving the go ahead. You do not even know if she was first off or was one of many disembarking. There was no indication that the crew was assisting the passengers off the boat. 

I guess you don´t know either, right?

15 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

I guess you don´t know either, right?

 

A vessel is under the command of the ship's captain and this includes the safe embarkation and disembarkation. The responsibility for a dangerous condition where a gap was allowed between the dock and the vessel, without the use of appropriate safety equipment and crew vigilance rests entirely with the vessel's captain and crew. 

19 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

A vessel is under the command of the ship's captain and this includes the safe embarkation and disembarkation. The responsibility for a dangerous condition where a gap was allowed between the dock and the vessel, without the use of appropriate safety equipment and crew vigilance rests entirely with the vessel's captain and crew. 

As long as a person doesn't try to embark before the vessel is secured. Something that a suspect happened in this case. How many of these accidents have you observed as you seem so well informed?

20 hours ago, In Full Agreement said:

 

 

Yes but that's not how it's done here.

 

 

At least this time it made it to the dock before losing passengers.