Tourists rescued from sea after boat sinks in collision near James Bond Island

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

 

PHUKET:-- Nineteen people, including 16 tourists, were plucked from the sea near James Bond Island, northeast from Phuket, after a boat collision sank their tour boat in Phang Nga Bay today (July 31).

 

The accident occurred at Khao Hua Yai, west of James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay, at about 1:30pm, The Phuket News was told.

 

Among those rescued from the rough weather sea were four tourists from Belgium and 12 tourists from Norway, reported rescue workers from Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) in Phang Nga.

 

Full Story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/tourists-rescued-from-sea-after-boat-sinks-in-collision-near-james-bond-island-63260.php#bvIVpAXqjrFPZgwe.97

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2017-7-31

Lucky they made it!

 

These reckless "tour operators" need to be educated a bit more on the weather whims of mother nature!!!

13 western tourists are injured in boat collision in Phang-nga

By Thai PBS

 

 

Three western tourists were hospitalized and 10 others sustained minor injuries when their tour boat collided with another tour boat in the Andaman Sea between Khao Pingkan and Koh Thaloo in the Ao Phang-nga national park on Monday afternoon.

 

The Wararat boat which carried 15 tourists, including 11 Norwegians and four Belgians, three crew members, including the skipper and a guide was leaving Khao Pingkan for Koh Panyee for lunch when it was crashed by another boat carrying Chinese tourists.

 

The force of the collision damaged the Wararat boat and caused it to capsize as all its passengers and the crew members were thrown into the sea.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/13-western-tourists-injured-boat-collision-phang-nga/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-08-01

More Chinese, barging their way around again.

 

Good to see that the promised crackdown on boat operators is having a positive impact on the sea cowboys

 

rough weather, raining, poor visibility all cited.... equals (but not mentioned), dangerous and irresponsible practices by the tour operators

No worries,. they got fined 500 Baht, that will teach them.

 

But if illegal operators it is doubtful they have insurance, let's see what happens there. And will somebody get charged? In spite of the often voiced opinion here, that is SOP.

I live at Nai Harn beach and there has been big swells now for days... today in particular!  Does it stop these boat operators taking tourists out in dangerous conditions... NOT AT ALL.  

21 minutes ago, pattayadgw said:

I live at Nai Harn beach and there has been big swells now for days... today in particular!  Does it stop these boat operators taking tourists out in dangerous conditions... NOT AT ALL.  

A big swell at the beach does not mean the sea conditions are dangerous. I was out myself yesterday, and there was swell but it was perfectly safe to go out.

15 hours ago, observer90210 said:

Lucky they made it!

 

These reckless "tour operators" need to be educated a bit more on the weather whims of mother nature!!!

Thailand is not alone in this world where "shonky" operators operate without accountability/responsibility or a brain! 

 

Or does it seem to be more prevalent here?

1 minute ago, lvr181 said:

Thailand is not alone in this world where "shonky" operators operate without accountability/responsibility or a brain! 

 

Or does it seem to be more prevalent here?

Obiously there are incompetent chaps worldwide....but as we are in a Thai forum, the James Bond Island accident does arouse some worries as it could happen anywhere in Thailand..

As long as the Baht's keep rolling in nothing will ever change, it doesn't matter how many get injured or killed. You risk your life every time you go on one of these tours, especially during the low season when sea conditions can be unpredictable.