Tourist boat fire injures two near Koh Kut, southeast Thailand
A tourist boat carrying a family of four caught fire near Koh Kut in Trat province, injuring at least two people yesterday, April 11.
Provincial officials were notified to assist at approximately 11.40am, as the Aor Subpiti was engulfed in flames, with initial reports mentioning one injured person on board.
The boat held a family of four tourists and a crew of two. All were rescued by volunteers and transported to Koh Kut Hospital. The family, consisting of a father, mother, and two children, had boarded the vessel from Koh Kood Cabana Resort for a coral diving excursion. On returning, the boat’s engine reportedly exploded into flames. The crew members sustained burns while aiding the passengers to safety.
One crew member who attempted to extinguish the fire had to abandon the ship and was later rescued by a passing fishing boat. Local officials confirmed only six people were on board, with the two crew members being the injured parties.
Investigations indicated the fire was accidental, with the engine complying with safety standards. Officials urged increased caution on the island, currently hosting about 3,000 to 4,000 visitors for the Songkran holiday, reported Bangkok Post.
The boat’s owner was identified as Angkana Apibansri. The driver was 18 year old Supawat Rojanamol, while 16 year old Manawat Bialy served as the helmsman. Manawat sustained significant injuries to his arms and face. The family on the trip were Thai nationals who had arrived on Thursday, April 10.
In similar news, a fire broke out on a boat carrying 28 tourists for a diving trip near Koh Tao on March 16, prompting an evacuation by the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) Marine Department in Surat Thani province.
The incident occurred at 9.25am when RTN Captain Natthaphon Sinphunphon, deputy director of the department, was alerted by Koh Tao’s rescue centre about a blaze in the boat’s engine room. The vessel, named Davy Jones’ Locker, is a 23.29 gross tonnage passenger boat owned by Davy Jones Locker Co., Ltd. The fire started while the boat was en route to a diving site 5 to 6 nautical miles from the island.
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