Yacht burns and sinks

PHUKET: A 6-million-baht yacht, the Brulon, belonging to a local dive company, burned to the waterline and sank yesterday in Bang Tao Bay. Pol Lt Col Narong Natebutra of the Phuket Marine Police told the Gazette that he received a report at around 3:30 yesterday afternoon that a yacht was on fire about nine kilometers off Cherng Talay. “The boat was returning to Ao Chalong after dropping passengers off at Tap Lamu in Phang Nga,” he said. “It left Tap Lamu at around 11 am. When it reached Bang Tao Bay, there was a fire in the engine room. It is believed this was caused by an electrical short circuit.” The Brulon belonged to Private Dive, a local dive company. On board were Ubon Srisopa, a partner in the company, Alexander Kroner, the company’s manager, and Thawee Kitmoh, the skipper. All three are safe, having been rescued by passing fishing boats whose crews also tried to help extinguish the fire, but without success.