South Korean man missing after boat capsizes near Koh Pha Ngan
A South Korean man remains missing after a long-tail boat capsized at around 3am yesterday, December 29, in the sea near Koh Pha Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. A boat driver was tested positive for drugs.
The accident occurred on a long-tail boat named Phichitchai, which departed Rin Beach on Koh Pha Ngan and was headed to Yuan Beach on the same island. The boat capsized allegedly due to high waves and strong winds approximately 400 metres from Rin Beach.
The Ban Muang news agency reported that waves measuring two to three metres in height struck the right side of the boat, causing all the passengers to shift to the left side. This led to the boat losing its balance and overturning.
At the time of the incident, the boat was carrying 10 passengers and three crew members. Rescuers managed to save 12 of them, but a South Korean man, identified only as Hyun-Jin, remains missing.
The other passengers were identified as four Thai nationals, one Turkish man, one Danish man, two Japanese nationals, and one German man. None of the passengers or crew members were wearing life jackets.
Hyun-Jin and his Japanese girlfriend, Miyuki, who was also on the boat, reportedly planned to open a restaurant together at Hua Kham Market, also known as Night Market Cafe Vintage, on Koh Pha Ngan.
The rescue team conducted an eight-hour search for the missing man but was unable to locate him. The operation was suspended due to strong waves and will resume once weather conditions improve.
The boat’s captain, Pattanapong Saetiao, and the other crew members, Jiramate Chukaew and Sittiphan Wongwai, were identified. Pattanapong later tested positive for methamphetamine, also known as yaba, and it was revealed that his boat driving licence expired.
Pattanapong faces two charges:
- Section 162 of the Narcotics Control Act for using a Category 1 drug (methamphetamine). The penalty is up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.
- Section 291 of the Thai Navigation Act for failing to perform duties as a boat captain or worker. The penalty includes suspension of a certificate or licence for up to two years.
It was not disclosed whether Pattanapong would face charges under Thailand’s Criminal Law for recklessness.
In addition to the captain’s violations, KhaoSod reported that the boat’s registration was cancelled. The boat’s owner is also expected to face penalties.
