Every Phuket tour boat is being checked

Deputy Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau, Maj Gen Surachet Hakparn, with the help of the Marine Department, are checking about 400 tour boats in Phuket. Any boat found not fully compliant to leave port with all its safety equipment in working order, will remain at port.

Maj Gen Surachet says, “All about 300 to 400 tour boats in Phuket are being checked. Boats must be fixed if they are found with incomplete safety equipment or are unsafely heading to sea in any way. We have to get back tourist confidence when they are travelling in Phuket.”

“If there is any boat that leaves port and then later capsizes, boat inspectors will have to take responsibility too.”

“In addition we’re also checking for any encroachment in Phuket as well as the safety and registration of other tour buses and taxis. These are also part of Phuket’s tourism business. ”

“I can confirm that any government officer who ignores land encroachment, or allows unsafe boats to leave port, will face legal action.”