Domestic tourist safe after longtail boat capsizes in Krabi

PHUKET: Five domestic tourists were safely rescued after their longtail boat capsized in Krabi yesterday afternoon.

At about 3:40pm the longtail boat, Jaosapandaman, flipped over while taking the tourists from Koh Hong to Ao Nang.

“Near the area of Saphanlek, close to Klong Muang Beach, the waves were too big. A wave broke the motor free from the boat, and without the driver being able to steer the boat, it was quickly swamped with waves and capsized,” said Maj Anurak Parinyasathiragul of the Krabi Marine Police.

“Luckily, there was a fishing boat close by that immediately came over to help. All the tourists, as well as, the boat driver were safely rescued.”

The 29-year-old longtail boat driver, Boonma Ama, was not charged for the incident, as no one was injured and it was an accident with a licensed, legal boat, explained Maj Anurak.

— Kongleaphy Keam