The look of concern shows on
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (Front row 3rd right) as officials
explain what happened when an overcrowded ferry operated by Koh Larn
Travel and being captained by a man who confessed to being high on
methamphetamines capsized, killing six tourists; 3 Thais, 2 Polish and 1
Hong Kong Chinese.
Boonlua Chatree / Photos by Teerarak
Suthathiwong
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrived in Pattaya Tuesday afternoon,
November 5, to be briefed on what had transpired during the tragic ferry
accident on Sunday.
Chonburi Gov. Khomsan Ekachai explained that an overcrowded ferry
operated by Koh Larn Travel and being captained by a man who confessed
to being high on methamphetamines had run aground and capsized, killing
six tourists; 3 Thais, 2 Polish and 1 Hong Kong Chinese. At least 15
others were injured, some seriously.
A conference room was set up at the Siam Bayshore Hotel for officials to
state their cases before the PM, and try to explain what measures were
being taken to address the situation.
Somsak Saensombut, director-general of Marine Department, attempted to
explain how he and the governor had met to “seriously brainstorm
guidelines.”
After the accident, he said, the Marine Department issued an order to
forbid Koh Lan Travel 1 to continue operating until all their vessels
had passed inspection. They also took away the captain’s license for 6
months.
Yukol Limlaemthong, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, as acting
Minister of Tourism and Sports, told the PM that, through the Chao Phaya
Insurance CPL, deceased victims’ families were given 309,000 baht. He
also said the insurance company will pay all hospital bills up to
100,000 baht.
After listening to these reports, Yingluck allegedly stated that she had
come to the conclusion the public sector has implemented good safety
measures for tourists, but “there has to be increased strictness in
implementing or commanding the rules and increasing penalties for
offenders. Laws may have to be issued in order to penalize the owner of
the boat or operators not adhering to safety measures or not controlling
one’s employees in following the safety procedures.”
Yingluck then was taken to Bali Hai pier to get an idea of where the
accident took place, after which she visited some of the patients in
hospital.
She was then whisked away to Sattahip to release turtles into the sea.
As a side note, hundreds of red shirt members used the occasion in
Pattaya to show their support for the amnesty bill.
Hundreds of red shirt
members used the occasion to show their support for the amnesty bill.
