Two Foreign Tourists Killed, Another Injured In Boat Explosion

[george]

Two foreign tourists killed, another injured in boat explosion: report

CHONBURI: -- The Jor Sor 100 Traffic Radio station reported Thursday morning that a fishing boat chartered by foreign tourists to fish off Chon Buri's coast exploded, killing two of them and injuring another.

The boat was about two nautical miles away from Sattahip district and was near Samersarn Island when the explosion occurred, according to the radio station.

More details to follow.

--The nation 2006-11-23

[sriracha john]

Boat explosion kills 2 foreigners in Thai resort

A fishing boat chartered by foreign tourists to fish off Thai gulf coast exploded on Thursday, killing two of them and injuring another.

The boat was about two nautical miles away from Chon Buri Province's Sattahip beach resort, about 100 kilometers from Bangkok, when the explosion occurred. Two foreign tourists were killed on the spot and another was injured.

The FM 100 Traffic Radio station said the nationalities of the victims could not be known right now and the police are investigating the reason of the blast.

Source: Xinhua

[leisurely]

That is very sad.

RIP

[Berty]

How do boats blow up, did they hit a stray mine?

[sriracha john]

Lots of possibilities, but I'll wait for the news.

[sriracha john]

And now, as often is the case, the new news clouds things even further as the casualties in this report are identified as local Thai fisherman and not foreign tourists.

However, I might be going out on a limb in assuming these are in fact the same incident, but they're just too similar not to be the same.

Either way, the cause of the explosion is amazingly 1960-ish... it's a shame such reckless, dangerous, and damaging "method" of fishing persists in 2006.

Two fishermen dead and one badly injured in fishing boat explosion

One form of fishing which is highly dangerous but is widely practiced here in Thailand involves the use of explosives. This can allow fishermen to catch large numbers of fish in a very short time but can sometimes lead to accidents, some of which cause fatalities.

This story from our Sattahip News affiliate details one such story where two fishermen lost their lives.

Police and rescue workers were called to the Samaer San Port in Sattahip to deal with an incident which occurred on a boat named 'Wor Duang Sudar.'

An explosion on the boat occurred 5 Nautical Miles off the coast of Sattahip when one of the three fishermen on the boat was preparing to place an explosive into the water. Then the fuse on the explosive malfunctioned and the device exploded whilst on the boat.

Khun Wacharapong, aged 30, and Khun Pontaerp, aged 44, were killed and Khun Balingyar, aged 18, sustained a severed right arm, but was not killed.

Police are investigating the case, but have recorded the incident as an accident.

Pattaya City News

Edited November 23, 2006 by sriracha john

[Scott]

My condolences to the friends and families. How do people manage to get a hold of these explosives? It might be wise, considering the threat of terrorism, to keep a tight handle on explosives.

[Pond Life]

Most explosives used for this type of "fishing" are home made, eg weedkiller & sugar.

If thats realy what they were doing, then som nam na.

Thay wont do it again.

[marshbags]

And now, as often is the case, the new news clouds things even further as the casualties in this report are identified as local Thai fisherman and not foreign tourists.

However, I might be going out on a limb in assuming these are in fact the same incident, but they're just too similar not to be the same.

Either way, the cause of the explosion is amazingly 1960-ish... it's a shame such reckless, dangerous, and damaging "method" of fishing persists in 2006.

Two fishermen dead and one badly injured in fishing boat explosion

One form of fishing which is highly dangerous but is widely practiced here in Thailand involves the use of explosives. This can allow fishermen to catch large numbers of fish in a very short time but can sometimes lead to accidents, some of which cause fatalities.

This story from our Sattahip News affiliate details one such story where two fishermen lost their lives.

Police and rescue workers were called to the Samaer San Port in Sattahip to deal with an incident which occurred on a boat named 'Wor Duang Sudar.'

An explosion on the boat occurred 5 Nautical Miles off the coast of Sattahip when one of the three fishermen on the boat was preparing to place an explosive into the water. Then the fuse on the explosive malfunctioned and the device exploded whilst on the boat.

Khun Wacharapong, aged 30, and Khun Pontaerp, aged 44, were killed and Khun Balingyar, aged 18, sustained a severed right arm, but was not killed.

Police are investigating the case, but have recorded the incident as an accident.

Pattaya City News

Just to back you up S.J the following is from the Breaking news in the Nation:-

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30019749

It specifically mentions Chonburi and cofirms the sad result.

I also reckon it must be Thai,s as foriegners usually fish as a sporting activity. ??????

Not for commercial purposes as seems obvious in this case and is a method used in many areas.

marshbags

Edited November 24, 2006 by marshbags

[skippybangkok]

Have not much sympathy to be quite frank. If any one has ever seen first hand the results of dynamite fishing, it is devestating. Although there are places in thailand, one sticks out as a sore thumb is Mataking in Borneo. dThe last time i dived there, 70% of the islands few km circumference was a moon land scape.

One bomb destroys everything in the area, and does not just catch fish alone. The area will become totally barren for the next few years with no marine life at all ( an no new fishies to grow up and be caught )

Edited November 24, 2006 by skippybangkok

[kmart]

Sounds like the Philippines. They use explosives to catch everything; fish; birds; whatever.

Other wonderful fishing methods include; arsenic poured into the water; electrocution using car batteries; etc.

It used to be lovely to wake up in the morning there, and not hear birds calling; dogs barking; they eat everything there.

Here's hoping more of these "fishing boats" blow up.

[taxexile]

Have not much sympathy to be quite frank

Here's hoping more of these "fishing boats" blow up

.

and Khun Balingyar, aged 18, sustained a severed right arm, but was not killed.

spare a thought for khun balingyar if you would.

probably a poorly educated deck hand , could even be a burmese or cambodian worker.

18 years old , lost an arm through no fault of his own , no compensation or comeback.

what about his future , struggle to find a job , a wife , any kind of life. may have to go back to his own country if he is foriegn , it doesnt sound like a thai name.

he is doomed to a life of poverty.

he certainly has my sympathy.

[kmart]

Have not much sympathy to be quite frank

Here's hoping more of these "fishing boats" blow up

.

and Khun Balingyar, aged 18, sustained a severed right arm, but was not killed.

spare a thought for khun balingyar if you would.

probably a poorly educated deck hand , could even be a burmese or cambodian worker.

18 years old , lost an arm through no fault of his own , no compensation or comeback.

what about his future , struggle to find a job , a wife , any kind of life. may have to go back to his own country if he is foriegn , it doesnt sound like a thai name.

he is doomed to a life of poverty.

he certainly has my sympathy.

Suppose so, tax exile. I quite feel sorry for the guy too; but maybe its just natural selection?

The Gulf is now seemingly just as "fished-out" as the North Sea of Britain, where rampant greed and lack of sustainable planning allied to political cowardice has messed it up for everyone.

All fish will come from farms soon.

[taxexile]

The Gulf is now seemingly just as "fished-out" as the North Sea of Britain, where rampant greed and lack of sustainable planning allied to political cowardice has messed it up for everyone.

agreed.

once again , poor enforcement of regulations is keeping thailand stuck in the third world.

[womble]

Whilst I have a degree of sympathy for the deckhand, I would imagine though he still knows that any form of explosives are illegal, so he would still know they are up to know good, even if he doesn't perhaps know the ecological consequences of such short sighted and selfish actions.

Personally I think if every person who attempted to use explosives for fishing was blown up by their own actions, I think that'd be great, even better if they could suffer for a few hours or even days in extreme pain before they are finally extinguished.

[skippybangkok]

Have not much sympathy to be quite frank

Here's hoping more of these "fishing boats" blow up

.

and Khun Balingyar, aged 18, sustained a severed right arm, but was not killed.

spare a thought for khun balingyar if you would.

probably a poorly educated deck hand , could even be a burmese or cambodian worker.

18 years old , lost an arm through no fault of his own , no compensation or comeback.

what about his future , struggle to find a job , a wife , any kind of life. may have to go back to his own country if he is foriegn , it doesnt sound like a thai name.

he is doomed to a life of poverty.

he certainly has my sympathy.

Understand where you are coming from, but have u witnessed first hand the devestation is does. It just seems so stupid, get 100 fish today, and eat nothing for the next 5 years.

[sriracha john]

Hunt for explosives in Sattahip after yesterdays fishing boat deaths

Following-up on the story we reported on yesterdays show regarding the fatal accident on a fishing boat off the coast of Sattahip which left two fishermen dead, we joined a team of Royal Thai Navy Bomb Disposal Officers as they conducted a raid of the Samaer San Village in Sattahip which is populated by mostly fishermen who will often use explosives to increase their catches.

It was the use of such items which caused the loss of life on Thursday’s accident.

Police were also in attendance and were armed with a search warrant to allow them to look for further explosives which are illegal to possess and use for the purpose of fishing.

The search was extensive and some explosives, similar to those used in Thursday’s incident were found and confiscated.

Canisters of gas and fuse wire was also found and confiscated but no one was arrested.

The group of fishermen were given stern warnings not to use explosives in the future or they will face prosecution.

- Pattaya City News

[kmart]

Marine terrorism?