Krabi officials launch tourist boat-safety inspections following deadly ferry fire

PHUKET: Krabi officials are launching a series boat-safety inspections, starting today, to ensure that all tourist boats are safe for use during the long Songkran holiday.

“The checks will run until Wednesday. Uniformed officers will be stationed at popular tourism spots to inspect the boats and help tourists,” said Maj Anurak Parinyasathiragul of the Krabi Marine Police.

“We will have officers from Krabi Marine Police, the Krabi Marine Office and Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, as well as Royal Thai Navy personnel conducting the inspections.”

The safety push comes days after the Ao Nang Princess 5 of Ao Nang Travel and Tour Co caught fire while en route from Krabi to Phuket (story here), killing 12-year-old Israeli girl, Sani Manil (story here).

Maj Anurak noted that the cause of the fire had yet to be confirmed by experts. Buoys have been installed where the boat sank so that captains could avoid the wreckage.

“No one wants accidents to happen. It is our responsibility to check on all boats and strictly enforce all regulations to ensure the safety of passengers,” he said.

“Boats must not carry more than the maximum capacity of passengers and must be equipped with enough life jackets for everyone on board.

“I am aware that our checks cannot guarantee that accidents won’t happen. However, they do make boat operators aware that we are keeping an eye on them, and passengers can feel confident that all safety rules are being followed.”

— Chutharat Plerin