Stricter Controls On Boats

[george]

Stricter controls on boats

PHANGNGA, March 6 (TNA) – Marine officials are to be posted on the province’s piers to prevent boats from carrying too many passengers and goods, the governor of the southern Thai province of Phangnga told TNA.

The measures have been introduced following the ferry accident on Saturday near an island of the province’s coast.

Ther Phangnga governor Anuwat Maytheevibulwat and the provincial Red Cross chief inspected the progress of the rescue operations on Sunday morning.

This morning the authorities said so far 12 victims’ bodies from the Rungroj which capsized near Yao Yai island on Saturday have been plucked from the sea.

Local officials are having difficulty identifying the bodies, said Mr. Anuwat.

The boat was registered to carry a maximum of 22 passengers but there were more than sixty passengers on board when the ferry capsized and ten motorcycles.

Many people died because there were not enough life vests on board, Mr. Anuwat said. The boat owner will be initially charged with recklessness and causing others to die, he said.

The provincial authorities will offer 2,000 baht to anyone who suffered minor injuries, 5,000 baht for those who sustained serious injuries, 15,000 baht for anyone killed and 40,000 baht for anyone who was head of the family.

[The_Moog]

"Many people died because there were not enough life vests on board;"

yawn. 'TIT'

The boat was registered to carry a maximum of 22 passengers but there were more than sixty passengers on board when the ferry capsized and ten motorcycles.

Zzzzzzzzz 'TIT'

[The_Eye_Of_Sauron]

Zzzzzzzzz 'TIT'

Kind of agree. Every time there's a human tragedy the excuses get rolled out and buck is passed around.

Entirely common sense rules are then published, which stick for only about a nanosecond.

"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'....as my old Granny said.

[exp9696]

Sure,STRICTER CONTROLS . NEXT MILEMNIUM !!!!

[Pattaya_Fox]

...Just another headline to appease the tourists.

How many Marine Officials will be at their posts when a few baht changes hands??

[RDN]

Stricter controls on boats

PHANGNGA, March 6 (TNA) – Marine officials are to be posted on the province’s piers to prevent boats from carrying too many passengers and goods, the governor of the southern Thai province of Phangnga told TNA.

The measures have been introduced following the ferry accident on Saturday near an island of the province’s coast.

The Phangnga governor Anuwat Maytheevibulwat and the provincial Red Cross chief inspected the progress of the rescue operations on Sunday morning.

This morning the authorities said so far 12 victims’ bodies from the Rungroj which capsized near Yao Yai island on Saturday have been plucked from the sea.

Local officials are having difficulty identifying the bodies, said Mr. Anuwat.

The boat was registered to carry a maximum of 22 passengers but there were more than sixty passengers on board when the ferry capsized and ten motorcycles.

Many people died because there were not enough life vests on board, Mr. Anuwat said. The boat owner will be initially charged with recklessness and causing others to die, he said.

The provincial authorities will offer 2,000 baht to anyone who suffered minor injuries, 5,000 baht for those who sustained serious injuries, 15,000 baht for anyone killed and 40,000 baht for anyone who was head of the family.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess the Phangnga governor Anuwat Maytheevibulwat doesn't talk much to Koh Pha-ngan district chief Mr. Pornlert Chokchai:

Strict controls on Hat Rin full moon parties

SURAT THANI: --  Local officials on the southern island of Koh Pha-ngan today prepared to impose strict safety measures on tomorrow’s Full Moon Party on Hat Rin beach, following an incident last month in which 15 party-goers died when their speedboat capsized shortly after leaving the island.

Koh Pha-ngan district chief Mr. Pornlert Chokchai told reporters that 12-15 officials would be stationed at the Hat Rin pier tomorrow night to ensure that boats taking tourists to and from the party were not overloaded and met with safety regulations.

A naval vessel will also be stationed on the island to assist with operations.

Although the date of the full moon is tonight, this month’s party will be held tomorrow in recognition of the fact that today is Makabucha, the most important day in the Buddhist religious calendar.

Despite last month’s incident, Mr. Chanchok Piriyasathit, head of the island’s tourism association, reported today that bungalows on the island were fully occupied in anticipation of tomorrow’s event. Another 10,000 tourists are expected to arrive from Koh Samui tomorrow night, putting total attendance at the party at around 20,000.

--TNA 2005-02-23

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[sriracha john]

Perhaps ALL the coastal big-wigs could get together at once and decide to enforce stricter controls... otherwise, the governor of Trat will come out for them after a ferry to Koh Chang sinks killing 53.... followed by the vice-governor of Surat Thani who comes out with a mandate for stricter control after an overloaded ferry to Koh Tao sinks killing 82 the following week... and soon thereafter the district chief of Satun comes out and vehemently insists that boat owners carry life vests after a ferry to Koh Tarutao sinks killing 191 because they had only 3 life vests onboard.

[sriracha john]

The provincial authorities will offer 15,000 baht for anyone killed

£203.17 British pounds......

for an average 80 kilo man, that's about £2.5 / kilo

from http://www.bestbeef.co.uk/pages/index.htm

Sirloin Bone-In - £10.96 per kilo

who says human life isn't cheap in 3rd world Thailand? British beef is 4 times more valuable.

Edited March 6, 2005 by sriracha john

[bambob]

they said the same when the ferry boat sank coming from ko samui sank many years ago . many farangs were left floundering in the water with no vests .

for many hours..