Tourist boat sinks outside Pattaya - At least 5 foreigners dead, many seriously injured

[george]

BREAKING NEWS:

Tourist boat sinks outside Pattaya - At least 5 foreigners dead, many seriously injured

POLICE say six tourists, including two Russians and a Chinese, have been killed when an overcrowded ferry sank in eastern Thailand.

Police Col. Suwan Cheawnavinthavat says about 200 Thai and foreign tourists were on a double-decker ferry that left Lan island for the 30-minute trip to the resort town of Pattaya on Sunday.

Soon after the boat departed, an engine problem sent the tourists rushing to the second floor, causing the ferry to flip on its side and eventually sink.

Col. Suwan says three Thais also drowned. The rest of the passengers were rescued, including a 9-year-old Russian boy who was in intensive care at a hospital. None of the others were hospitalised.

Col. Suwan says the ferry was operating over its capacity.

Pattaya is about 100 kilometres southeast of Bangkok.

-- 2013-11-03

Source: AP, local media

[Lite Beer]

Pic courtesy of BBC

RT@RichardBarrow: Latest news of tourist boat that sank off #Pattaya is still sketchy. Reports of 15 seriously injured, 4 dead & 20 missing #Thailand

RT@RichardBarrow: Thai media reporting that 80-100 foreign tourists have been rescued so far when their boat sank on way back to Pattaya. Some still missing.

RT@RichardBarrow: CH.3 now reporting up to 5 tourists have been killed when their boat sank on the way back to #Pattaya with 10 seriously injured #Thailand

RT@RichardBarrow: It is not known yet the nationalities of the dead & injured. Most tourists on these boats are foreigners but there would be some Thais too.

RT@veen_NT: “@NIEMS_1669: 5 died, 3 of which R foreigners, 10 seriously injured as the tourist boat sank in Pattaya."

RT@RichardBarrow: 8:20pm Latest news is that 3 Thais & 3 foreigners drowned when their boat sank on the way back from Koh Larn - TR @ittipat_Rw #Thailand

RT@RichardBarrow : Boat owner says only 150 on board when it sank, though some say it was more. Only 100 have been rescued. 6 confirmed dead #Thailand

RT@RichardBarrow: The boat was taking tourists from Koh Larn back to Pattaya when it is believed the water pump failed. It took on water & capsized #Thailand

RT@RichardBarrow: According to AP, 3 Thais, 2 Russians and 1 Chinese tourist drowned when their overcrowded ferry capsized off Pattaya #Thailand

RT@RichardBarrow: 10:30pm Latest news on tourist boat that sank this evening: Six dead & 20 seriously hurt. Search & rescue to continue at first light

RT@RichardBarrow: Captain of the boat that sank apparently fled the scene. Police will issue an arrest warrant for him - TR @ittipat_Rw

[crumpled]

That is a lot of people on a tourist boat. Sad to hear of those that have lost their lives. Will wait to hear more on this story.

[petedk]

Let's hope the toll doesn't rise.

I often sail over to Koh larn. No idea what could have happened. We can only wait for more news.

[soi41]

Buses, minivans, trains, cars and now boats!

How are you supposed to travel in this country??

Seems like the only way to survive is, stay home.

Hope those who died didn't suffer.

[ginjag]

Let's hope the toll doesn't rise.

I often sail over to Koh larn. No idea what could have happened. We can only wait for more news.

Have to wait for more news, Only sounds like it could have been the hourly ferry they do get packed easily carry 100+ sometimes like sardines.

I have used these boats hundreds of times over the years now at 25Bht single-pay before boarding the ferry mostly. 45 min travel time to main key (7-11) shop.

Horrific especially for kids and elderly+ non swimmers.

[wilcopops]

It would be nice if just for once we had some clarity about this incident.

far to often the authorities dribble out conflicting snippets or accounts of what happened in a cynical attempt to cloud the issue and sweep it under the carpet.

LET"S HAVE SOME HONESTY for a change!

Edited November 3, 2013 by wilcopops

[ginjag]

Buses, minivans, trains, cars and now boats!

How are you supposed to travel in this country??

Seems like the only way to survive is, stay home.

Hope those who died didn't suffer.

And get electrocuted in the floods.

[george]

Ferry capsizes off Koh Larn

CHON BURI — A ferry carrying more than 50 Thai and foreign tourists back to Pattaya from Koh Larn capsized Sunday evening, spilling the passengers into the sea. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The incident took place at about 100 metres off the island’s Nuan Beach at about 5.30pm. The ferry was the last one to head back to the mainland for the night.

Reports said rescue workers had picked up the passengers and taken injured persons to hospital. The cause of the capsize is not known.

-- Bangkok Post 2013-11-03

[aothai]

Shit,

I just went there last month with my wife and 3 small children. I was thinking during the sail to Koh Larn how about if something go wrong, then I said to my wife and two older kids wear your safety west, I cant take care all if something goes wrong.

The boat was old and some water was rinse in on the floor, I was not feel safe that much.

Many boats in TH will be used without any maintenance until something happen.

Too bad !!!!!

[Basil B]

yes, if it is the regular ferry which reports indicate, money taken no ticket, who knows how many on board.

[Lite Beer]

At least six dead after tourist ferry sinks off Thai resort: police

BANGKOK, November 3, 2013 (AFP) - At least six passengers including three foreigners died after a tourist ferry sank on Sunday off the Thai resort of Pattaya, police said, amid fears people may still be trapped in the stricken vessel.

"There are six dead -- three Thais and three foreigners," a police official told AFP, without giving details on the nationalities of the foreigners.

The ferry sank on Sunday afternoon near Koh Larn, a small island off the Pattaya coast popular with daytrippers.

Local reports said the vessel may have been overcrowded and listed after experiencing engine trouble.
"Police received a phone call from relatives of the passengers on the ferry," the police officer told AFP, requesting anonymity.

"We are rescuing them... we are not sure whether there are people still trapped inside (the ferry)."

There was no immediate confirmation of the number of injured or missing, but local media said dozens of ambulances had been called to Pattaya's beachfront to handle casualties being plucked from the water.

A Pattaya Tourist Police spokesman said there were an estimated 100 passengers on the boat, which ran into engine trouble at about 5pm local time (1100 GMT).

Pattaya is around 150 kilometres (100 miles) south of Bangkok.

Russian news reports said three Russians, including a child, had been taken to hospital in a serious condition.

"At least half of the passengers were Russian tourists," Russian consul in Bangkok Andrey Dvornykov was quoted as saying by the Ria Novosti news agency.

Renowned for its racy nightlife and cheap accommodation, Pattaya is one of Thailand's most popular resort areas and has become wildly popular as a package holiday destination for Russians.

Thailand drew 22 million tourists last year, but is struggling to shake off a reputation for lax safety standards after a series of fatal incidents.

In recent years the kingdom's tourist-friendly image as "the Land of Smiles" has also been tarnished by political violence and devastating floods.

Four people died in a nightclub fire in August 2012 on the party island of Phuket, while there have also been several high-profile cases of foreigners being murdered in recent months.

Diplomats from China and the European Union have voiced concern at the number of fatal incidents involving tourists in Thailand either due to accidents or crime.

In July, an American tourist was allegedly stabbed to death by three Thai musicians after he refused to stop singing at a bar. His death followed the murder of another US citizen in a row with a taxi driver in Bangkok.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-11-03

[Dararasmi]

Most unfortunate. My condolences to the families and loved ones of the dead. Hoping their ranks don't swell.

[harleyd61]

Just come back from Bali Hai pier

Everybody can walk on the pier,

ambulances driving on an of.

One witness, who was there from the beginning

said at least 10 people died

Sad news again for Thailand....

[petedk]

Ferry capsizes off Koh Larn

CHON BURI — A ferry carrying more than 50 Thai and foreign tourists back to Pattaya from Koh Larn capsized Sunday evening, spilling the passengers into the sea. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The incident took place at about 100 metres off the island’s Nuan Beach at about 5.30pm. The ferry was the last one to head back to the mainland for the night.

Reports said rescue workers had picked up the passengers and taken injured persons to hospital. The cause of the capsize is not known.

-- Bangkok Post 2013-11-03

Talk about conflicting stories.

First there were 150 people on borad. Now "more than 50". Ok 150 is more than 50... so is 51.

"up to five dead" "more than 20 missing" now " no immediate reports of injuries.

Best wait until tomorrow for more reliable information.

[Basil B]

Must have capsized very fast, assume many did not have chance to grab a life vest. those boats can be very top heavy especially if over crowded.

What ever happened to the safety crack down???

[HeijoshinCool]

Let's hope the toll doesn't rise.

I often sail over to Koh larn. No idea what could have happened. We can only wait for more news.

Have to wait for more news, Only sounds like it could have been the hourly ferry they do get packed easily carry 100+ sometimes like sardines.

I have used these boats hundreds of times over the years now at 25Bht single-pay before boarding the ferry mostly. 45 min travel time to main key (7-11) shop.

Horrific especially for kids and elderly+ non swimmers.

Non-swimmers, elderly or young, would be just fine if 1.the crew had the most basic of training, and 2. there were as many life vests as passengers.

Wonder how many crew didn't survive.

[Basil B]

Just come back from Bali Hai pier

Everybody can walk on the pier,

ambulances driving on an of.

One witness, who was there from the beginning

said at least 10 people died

Sad news again for Thailand....

Sad news again for Thailand Pattaya....

[rishi]

RT@RichardBarrow: The boat was taking tourists from Koh Larn back to Pattaya when it is believed the water pump failed. It took on water & capsized #Thailand

... so, it was known - by whomever responsible for the boat's maintanance - that it was seriously leaking.

[transam]

I read that the UK Ambassador is pushing to teach Thailand stuff . May I respectfully suggest he starts by protecting his countrymen from a ridiculous amount of risks in LOS that can be read here every day.

[TinaKohChang]

OMG, that is terrible news. R.I.P

i hope the number of passengers given by the owner is correct and that they will find the huge number of still missing people! :-(((((

[davejones]

It would be nice if just for once we had some clarity about this incident.

far to often the authorities dribble out conflicting snippets or accounts of what happened in a cynical attempt to cloud the issue and sweep it under the carpet.

LET"S HAVE SOME HONESTY for a change!

Give it a rest will you. People have been killed. This is no time to be posting such drivel. It's a major accident. Of course everyone is confused. It happens everywhere.

Very sad news. Must be horrific to get caught up in something like this.

[TinaKohChang]

OMG, that is terrible news. R.I.P

i hope the number of passengers given by the owner is correct and that they will find the huge number of still missing people! :-(((((

[PhilipCook]

Condolences the the families of those who perished.

[h90]

RT@RichardBarrow: The boat was taking tourists from Koh Larn back to Pattaya when it is believed the water pump failed. It took on water & capsized #Thailand

... so, it was known - by whomever responsible for the boat's maintanance - that it was seriously leaking.

Yes how much water did that boat let in that it immediately sinks without the bilge pump.

It should be able to go for hours or days without pump before it really sinks.

Or it was the cooling pump, and it "disintegrated" and no working valve before. But still it would need some time and they should have radio.

Maybe complete overloaded?

Strange story.....

[AloisAmrein]

Travel safety in Thailand is far below international standard, on the road, train, ship, air. What does TAT against that? So far nothing, and the Thai government is thinking about the introduction of a 500 Baht tax for foreigners visiting Thailand. Is this extra money for the dangers of travelling in Thailand?

[Andre0720]

Strange human emotion.

We all want to die in a familiar way.

Planes, boats, not familiar way to die.

Just feels more horrible than road deaths.

I am that way too...

Would rather die in a familiar way...

My condolences...

[Basil B]

After all the other incidents in recent months this is terrible news.

Even if all reported is not true I still think this was an accident waiting to happen, so many simple things could be implemented to improve safety like displaying the the maximum number of passengers each vessel can carry, with regular checks to enforce.

[george]

Ferry sinks near Thailand's Pattaya, Russians among passengers - embassy

PATTAYA: -- A ferry with tourists has capsized in Thailand, near the beach resort city of Pattaya, Russia’s embassy in the country has confirmed to RT. At least five people have died, RIA Novosti news agency reports.

At least three of those killed are foreigners, Russia’s embassy consulate said. Their citizenships are now being established.

"There is no information on the nationality of the dead. It is known that among the injured were two Russians - a woman with a child. They were taken to hospital in the city of Pattaya,” Andrey Dvornikov, head of the consular department of the Russian embassy in Thailand, said. "Most likely there were many Russians on board,” he added.

So far, a total three Russians have been hospitilized.

The incident took place about 100 meters off the island’s Nuan Beach at about 5.30pm, the Bangkok post reports. The ferry carrying more than 50 Thai and foreign tourists was completing its last trip for the day and capsized en route to the mainland.

The report said that the ferry sank very fast and many people on the crowded boat had no chance to jump out.

At the same time, the National News Bureau of Thailand, the 12-meter long vessel was licensed to carry up to 150 people, but witnesses said that it was carrying over 200.

However, there has neither been any conformation of that nor any official reason of the accident.

-- rt.com 2013-11-03

[Farma]

news.com.au are saying 3 Thai, 2 Russian and 1 Chinese have perished. RIP

One 9yo Russian boy is in intensive care.

-- news.com