The Marine Department has established a panel to investigate a night ferry on the mainland, Surat Thani to Koh Tao route catches fire.
Marine Department chief Kritphet Chaichuai said a panel was established to investigate in depth when a night ferry on the mainland, Surat Thani to Koh Tao catches fire.
He said officials were notified of the fire at 6.40am when the ferry “Koh Charoen” was about 2 nautical miles off the shore near Chalok Ban Kao bay in Tambon Koh Tao, Koh Phangan district, Surat Thani on Thursday morning.
The fire-gutted boat reportedly carried 90 passengers both Thais and foreigners and eight crew members, and a fire broke out in the engine room.
“Thai authorities successfully rescued 98 passengers and all of them were safe after a fire broke out overnight. The fire was brought under control by 8.20am.”
He said the department has implemented strict safety measures since early this year until nowadays, as well as a coming Songkran festival especially on life-saving equipment on ship, ship structural condition and piers on a requirement of the Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit.
Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin showed his concern for safety standards and has ordered related agencies to supervise for better standard on safety measure covering logistics, travelling, and lodgings from the moment they land in Thailand, go through immigration, use public transport and services and visit attractions until they return to their home countries in a bid to create confidence among visitors choose Thailand as tourism destination.
The government announced on April 2 to upgrade Thailand to become a tourism hub in the region.
