Another Boat Accident Near Ko Racha

[NBT TV Phuket]

Unfortunately reports are just coming in from Marine Police of another fatal boat accident, this time a fishing boat with 3 rescued, including foreigner, possibly Taiwanese(s) and Thai(s), but 2 missing, near Ko Racha islands, south of Phuket. Anyone with first hand information please contact [email protected] .

Those at sea should particularly note current weather warning from Meteorological Department:

"At 04.00 p.m. today, the tropical storm “Lekima” in the middle South China Sea was centered about 490 km east of Dahnang, Vietnam or Lat 15.6 oN, Long 112.8 oE with maximum sustained winds of 100 km/hr. The storm was moving northwestward at a speed of 12 km/hr. As a result, the southwest monsoon across the Andaman Sea, the Gulf and the South of Thailand will intensify during 1-4 October, bringing more rain with torrential in the East and South. People along provinces prone to disaster of Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun and Surat Thani beware of heavy rain and flash flood in the following 2-3 days. Besides, the intense southwest monsoon produces high wave over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf. All ships should proceed with extreme caution and small boats keep ashore during this period."

Andaman News program on TV11 VHF dial, returns on Tuesday 2 October, at 8.30am, with radio FM90.5 & 108 and Phuket cable TV channel 1 repeats in evening, and text-minivideos on Thaisnews.com , most weekdays...

[seonai]

Sad news. Came back in a storm via longtail once from Racha - not funny. Our bums were flying up in the air and slamming back down hard

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: Phuket Marine police rescued 3 people safely to shore after their fishing boat capsized in high waves near Racha Island yesterday.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=214862

Three people, two Thai nationals and one Taiwanese were rescued safely and brought to shore at the Deep Sea Port at Ao Makham, after their fishing boat capsized five nautical miles from Racha Island in the Andaman Sea about 1 hour south of Phuket Island. Another two people on board are still missing. One of the survivors, Prasert Saetee said he and four other people went out on a 12 metre long boat for fishing since Saturday but storms plus high waves forced the boat to sink. They floated in the sea with life jackets for 13 hours before a passing boat spotted them and notified marine police. After being reported, the Police Major General Prasert Srikhunnarat sent out his team to rescue promptly. Despite a Royal Thai Navy helicopter trying to spot the location for the other two people, very high waves and heavy rain obstructed the operation and forced the team to stop. Today the search continues for the other two missing.

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Tuesday 2 October 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: Another survivor is rescued after a local fishing boat capsized in severe storm last Sunday.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=214906

Surun Bunserm, a fatigued survivor of a fishing boat which capsized in the Andaman Sea off Phuket Island since last Sunday, told his story to reporters and family members after he was rescued back to shore by Phuket Marine police. Brought back to the Phuket Deep Sea Port, a medical team from Wachira hospital took care of him due to his condition as the man had stayed on the remote island of Racha Noi with no shelter, nor food for 4 days with scratches all over his body. Suran said he survived by drinking water dropping from rocks. During the time he also wrote a letter to say farewell to his family and admitted that he is now scared to be at sea. The boat accident occurred since last Sunday afternoon when it faced severe storms and huge waves in the Andaman Sea. After the boat capsized, all five men used life jackets to float at sea. Three got rescued on the following day, before Suran was rescued and one is still missing. The Phuket Marine Police Chief inspector Pol. Lt. Prasert Srikhunnarat said searches continue for a missing man as police patrol and search around the island and nearby locations.

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) 8.30am + maybe FM90.5 Radio Thailand 6pm, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket & Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 at 7, 10.30 or 11pm, Friday 5 October 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com