Suspended Pattaya Ferry Operators confront Minister for Culture

[Rimmer]

Suspended Pattaya Ferry Operators confront Minister for Culture

PATTAYA:--Pattaya Ferry Operators confronted the Minister for Culture over the weekend at an event he was attending and demanded they be allowed to continue operating. They also claimed the local press fabricated details in their initial reports on the recent ferry disaster which saw 7 people die and more than 100 injured.

Khun Sontaya encountered the group which included Khun Sitipong from the Koh Larn Travel Company, who operate the boat which was involved in the ferry disaster.

He claimed that he has been operating his company for more than 10 years with an excellent safety record, and reports the boat was overloaded were incorrect and the vessel was carrying no more than 150 passengers. He also claimed the boat sunk due to it hitting underwater coral reefs near Larn Island and the way the ferry was being operated at the time was in no way to blame for the disaster.
Full story: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/109279/suspended-pattaya-ferry-operators-confront-minister-culture/#sthash.QzZMGVC7.dpuf

-- Pattaya One 2013-11-18

[PeterSmiles]

So the numbers of passengers rescued, and the fact that the captain confessed that he was under the influence of drugs when the disaster happened, are all lies according to this chap.

[phycokiller]

is he trying to say that steering the boat onto a reef is not the reason it sunk? it sunk because the reef jumped up under the boat? difficult to understand although it could be the reporting at fault

[Ohio]

" Well gee Officer I was just cruisin' along when that thar Tree jumped out & bit my Car"

Oldie but a goodie that could apply here

[fakename]

The coral in this area is some of the fastest growing, and can grow up and hit the bottom of a boat. Also, the number of passengers may change from minute to minute, some jumping and some falling into the sea. The brave captain should be congratulated for risking his life and going to get help, as fast as he could!

[Greenhill]

Is this really a concern for the Minister of Culture or did they just approach him because he's the brother of the Pattaya Mayor?

[balo]

Is this really a concern for the Minister of Culture or did they just approach him because he's the brother of the Pattaya Mayor?

If he is the brother of the mayor , yes I can understand why they approached him .

I am sure some money will be exchanged at some point and the ferry company will be back , maybe with the same boat after some minor repairs.

And who knows , maybe no life jackets.

[pitchag]

There is a good class action case against the owner of the ferry for negligence would need a good lawyer how could not be bought off, do class actions happen in Thailand?

[Langsuan Man]

The owners of anything here in Thailand are not responsible for anything that is done through their business.

Just look at the recent withdrawal of any charges against the owner of the Santika clubi n Bangkok several years ago, despite the business being cited numerous times for violation of business laws

In Thailand the buck stops at the lowest rung of the ladder

see: http://www.news.com.au/world/thai-nightclub-owner-wisuk-sejsawat-acquitted-in-fatal-new-years-fire/story-fndir2ev-1226744925920

[Spalpeen]

So that's what he looks like. Not too upset over the deaths of 7 people from the looks of it. More worried about losing money.

[OZEMADE]

So that's what he looks like. Not too upset over the deaths of 7 people from the looks of it. More worried about losing money.

This Gronk should be locked up pending the outcome of the inquiry.

Locked up by his own admission re the drugs.

Locked up through his the negligence, killed 7 persons.

Locked up over the rest of his passengers having to be taken to hospital for injuries and he should be held accountable for ALL the bills. Including flights and funeral expenses for the dead.

You could go on, but he will probably get a rap over the knuckles. I forgot it is Thailand and corruption rules.

[Basil B]

Suspended...

I was hoping to read a rope was involved.

Am I right, did I read that City Hall was paying compensation to the Injured and the relatives of dead? and all these owners just want to continue racking in the money?

[cup-O-coffee]

If they have been in operation for 10 years, then wouldn't they know that that damn reef has also been there, in the same location, for 10 years as well?

He should be jailed simply for being stupid!

[phycokiller]

those darned yabba smoking reefs