Phuket police hunt company tourist's watery death

[webfact]

Phuket police hunt company after tourist's watery death
Phuket Gazette


Crew administered CPR to Mr Weidong. However, he was pronounced dead-on-arrival at Chalong Pier. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Police are hunting representatives of a tour company after a Chinese tourist died on a snorkelling trip off Koh Racha Yai yesterday morning.

The company that booked Weidong Lu, 49, and his family on the boat, does not appear to have provided a tour guide, explained Lt Wuthiwat Leangboonjinda of the Chalong Police.

“We are now trying to contact the tour company for a full explanation of why it appears that a guide wasn’t present to ensure Mr Weidong’s safety,” said Lt Wuthiwat. “The lack of a guide is illegal, as this is the person who should have provided instructions on how to snorkel safely.”

Mr Weidong was spotted floating unconscious by a crew member of the speedboat he was on.

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phuket-police-hunt-company-tourists-watery-death/63046?desktopversion


-- Phuket Gazette 2016-02-03

[Old Croc]

Luckily the company has had advance warning of the investigation. They will have time to organise an explanation absolving themselves of blame.

The deceased won't be able to give his side of the tale.

[webfact]

Chinese drowning spurs investigation into Phuket tour company
Eakkapop Thongtub


Police speaks with family members at Vachira Hospital. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- The chief of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS) Phuket office is to investigate a local tour company after a Chinese tourist died after he was pulled from the water unconscious during a day trip to Koh Racha Yai yesterday (Feb 2).

The tourist, 50-year-old Lu Weidong, died whilst being transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital after he was pulled from the water unconscious whilst swimming at Batok Bay around midday.

“We were told that the man was rescued from the sea by a beach guard stationed at Koh Racha and immediately given CPR,” said Lt Watcharawit Kraisook of the Tourist Police.

“Tour boat staff said that the victim had come with a group of 33 tourists, including four family members, with the Nonthasak Marine Company.

“The group were led by two foreign women, who held only a job order. There was no Thai tour guide with them,” he said.

“The victim was staying at Club Med in Kata with his family. He arrived on January 31 and was due to leave the country on February 4,” he added.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/chinese-drowning-spurs-investigation-into-phuket-tour-company-56031.php


-- Phuket News 2016-02-03

[smedly]

always after the fact, when are the authorities going to actually get ahead of the game and these tourist deaths, unfortunately Thailand doesn't understand the word regulation and standards unless they are forced to from outside e.g. Fishing industry - Air safety

In the west you might hear of a fatal bus accident maybe once a year - here it is at least once a week

[OttoPollmann]

always after the fact, when are the authorities going to actually get ahead of the game and these tourist deaths, unfortunately Thailand doesn't understand the word regulation and standards unless they are forced to from outside e.g. Fishing industry - Air safety

In the west you might hear of a fatal bus accident maybe once a year - here it is at least once a week

So, what you want that the Thai-authorities do?

Teaching this mainland Chinese how to swim?

With a little bit of common sense, if you are know you have never seen or touched water exept for washing your body.

Would you jump in the deep blue sea?

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

How the hell do you drown snorkelling? Likely had a life vest on as well.

Keep your head down and breath.

If you can't do that then you have no business entering the water.

One for the darwin awards.

[atyclb]

regardless of what authorities say or do a largely incompetent society cannot be made competent overnight

Edited February 3, 2016 by atyclb

[SOTIRIOS]

...'quality tourists'....

....'staying at Club Med'.....

...pay and pay and pay.......and be treated like !@#$%^&*(

...throw names and labels and titles and designations around.....

...bottom line...increase prices...add new fees every week......

.....and pay and pay and pay....and be treated like !@#$%^&*(

....condolences to the family.....

[biggles45]

I find it hard to understand how a Thai guide would have made any difference to the outcome for this poor man ?

[Ulic]

I guess with the crackdown on foreign tour guides there are not enough for all the tour companies.

[stevenl]

I find it hard to understand how a Thai guide would have made any difference to the outcome for this poor man ?

Doesn't really matter. A Thai tour guide (in this case even a Thai marine tour guide) is required but was not on board. Thai authorities will go after the procedures, as long as these are followed they really don't care very much.

Procedures were not followed, so Nonthasak will be fines. Not too much though, Nonthasak is a very, very big player taking every day hundreds of Chinese tourists from Rawai Beach to the nearby islands.

[cyberfarang]

It`s time to pass around the brown envelope again.

[bearpolar]

do europeans have a place like cuba/dominican republic where you can stay in all included hotels on the cheap, with good service, good food and no deaths?

If so, why do they even come to the south of thailand? It's not like any of the cultury stuff of thailand is located here.

[Canuk23]

Another one bites the dust, unbelievable every day a tourist dies here I have never seen this anywhere else ???

[pby92]

...'quality tourists'....

....'staying at Club Med'.....

...pay and pay and pay.......and be treated like !@#$%^&*(

...throw names and labels and titles and designations around.....

...bottom line...increase prices...add new fees every week......

.....and pay and pay and pay....and be treated like !@#$%^&*(

....condolences to the family.....

Clubmed was French before but now buy by Chinese company

[LivinginKata]

Clubmed was French before but now buy by Chinese company

Please confirm with a link that Club Med is Chinese owned ....

[ableguy]

Another one bites the dust, unbelievable every day a tourist dies here I have never seen this anywhere else ???

You have probably never seen it here too., just read reports, ,most of the deaths including flying lessons from high rise condos you have never seen too. But happen all the time.

Seriously do you think TAT would put out a report annually of tourist deaths here in LOS which as a percentage of visitors is I am sure quite small, the problem lays in the fact that most of the deaths are through

Suspious circumstances, neglect, stupidity, or simply being naive and unaware of a culture difference .

I live here and love it and am sure you will too , when you accept facts as normal routine. Good luck.

[Docno]

Clubmed was French before but now buy by Chinese company

Please confirm with a link that Club Med is Chinese owned ....

http://www.law360.com/articles/620931/fosun-s-gaillon-seals-long-fought-deal-for-club-med

[smedly]

How the hell do you drown snorkelling? Likely had a life vest on as well.

Keep your head down and breath.

If you can't do that then you have no business entering the water.

One for the darwin awards.

well you are absolutly 100% correct, I can't figure this one out either - not unusual when the primary aim of any local authority is to make it look like nobody is actually to blame except the stupid tourist......did his body still have legs attached ?

[Reigntax]

Clubmed was French before but now buy by Chinese company

Please confirm with a link that Club Med is Chinese owned ....

"Henri Giscard d'Estaing will remain at the helm of Club Med under the ownership of Guo Guangchang's conglomerate, Fosun."

"Club Med to focus on wealthy Chinese travellers after 939m takeover"

[Scott]

An inflammatory post has been removed.