Flashermac Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 An overcrowded tourist ferry capsized and sank near the popular seaside resort of Pattaya on Sunday, killing six tourists, including two Russians and a Chinese, police said. The rest of the roughly 200 people aboard were rescued. The double-decker ferry, carrying Thai and foreign tourists, left Koh Lan island for the 30-minute trip to Pattaya on Sunday evening, said Pol Col Suwan Cheawnavinthavat. Shortly after the boat departed, an engine problem sent the passengers on the first deck rushing to the second floor, causing the ferry to flip on its side and eventually sink. "Witnesses said there were neither enough tubes nor life vests on the ferry. Some of those who cannot swim had to cling onto coolers or ice containers until rescuers came,'' Pol Col Suwan said. He said three Thais also drowned. The rest of the passengers were rescued, including a 9-year-old Russian boy who was in intensive care at a hospital. None of the others were hospitalised. No names have yet been released. Pol Col Suwan said the ferry was operating over its capacity of about 130 to 150 passengers. He said police were looking for the ferry driver to investigate the cause of the accident. http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/377902/update-6-dead-in-pattaya-ferry-sinking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelseafan Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 I bet many of us have taken that ferry to Koh Larn. I've done it many times but never felt truly safe on it....its overcrowded much of the time...RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted November 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 It has even made the BBC news now. Seven known dead. Videos on links. http://www.bbc.co.uk...acific-24796181 http://www.bangkokpo...-ferry-capsizes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelgianBoy Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 so, did they already blacked out the name of the boat....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted November 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 Pattaya ferry dude confesses to drug use The captain of a ferry that capsized about 1,500 metres offshore from Pattaya on Sunday evening has turned himself in, telling police he was high on drugs while on his duty. Saman Kwanmuang, 42, turned himself into police on Sunday night, hours after his ferry capsized while returning about 200 Thai and foreign tourists from a day trip to Koh Larn. Pol Maj Gen Katcha Tatusatra, Chon Buri police chief, said the captain confessed to officers that he took some drugs before going to work, and that he and the crew lost control of the vessel as a result. He allegedly confessed the ferry wandered off course, and hit the rocks, breaching the vessel, punching holes and letting water pour in. According to a report in Daily News, Mr Saman realised the problem, so he turned off all power to try to fix the water pump. He issued no warning to his passengers, supposedly so they would not panic. However, after 10 minutes, so much water had flowed into the bottom deck of the two-deck boat that passengers began to panic. Squabbles broke out, apparently because there were not enough life jackets to go around, the captain allegedly told police. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation confirmed on Monday that six people died - three foreigners and three Thais. Another 18 were treated for injuries. The known victims were identified as Chuchart Chompoonak, 53, Aree Attayoko, 67, Nanthawadee Sopithapong, 44, and To Kin Man, 48. Authorities were still trying to verify the identities of a Russian woman and another foreigner. Earlier reports of three Russian deaths proved wrong. The Russian embassy in Bangkok said only one Russian, a woman, was confirmed dead. The injured were taken to Pattaya Memorial Hospital, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and Banglamung Hospital. A team of 10 scuba divers sent out by Chon Buri governor Komsan Aekchai on Monday to investigate the sunken ferry reported seeing a crack on the boat's bow. They found no other bodies. Mr Komsan said the vessel will be salvaged next month. The Marine Department will investigate the cause of the ferry’s capsizing, but an initial investigation suggested the deaths and injuries stemmed from overloading and insufficient safety equipment, the department’s director-general Sornsak Saensombat said. The Marine Department has already revoked the captain's licence. The double-decker ferry sank about 5.30pm on Sunday, shortly after leaving Koh Larn with a full load of passengers heading for Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya. The boat’s water pumps broke down, the vessel was flooded and the engine stopped functioning, he said. The passengers panicked and moved to the top deck of the vessel, which then was over-balanced, capsized and swiftly sank. http://www.bangkokpo...ses-to-drug-use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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