‘Phoenix’ investigation to wrap up within seven days
Officials say it will take up to seven days to understand the full cause of the Phoenix sinking while evidence continues to be collected.
Yesterday the Royal Thai Police Deputy Commander Gen Rungroj Saengkram, acting chief of Immigration, Maj Gen Surachete Hakparn and the Deputy Chinese Consul-General in Songkhla and Director of the China Consulate-General in Phuket Li Chun Foo inspected the Phoenix at Rattanachai Shipyard in eastern Phuket.
Gen Rungroj says, “Evidence has been collected. Cement blocks have been found in the bilge of the boat. Some bags, passports and mobile phones were also found inside the boat.”
“Expert engineers are checking and analyzing evidence to see if the boat structure reached minimum design standards or not. The cement blocks found in the bottom of the vessel may suggest it was not stable. We don’t know if these cement blocks were an important in the factor of the sinking yet. Who will be found responsible for this disaster?”
Maj Gen Surachete says, “Not more than seven days, we will close the case and reveal the cause of the sinking. The successful salvage operation cost 35 million baht.”
“Experts are also checking that the jacuzzi on the boat could have contributed to the unbalancing as well as the converted truck engine which was used in the boat, not a proper marine-grade engine.
The Phoenix was hoisted up on land on Tuesday morning. It now sits on the hardstand at Rattanachai Shipyard in Rassada.
Read more about the hard-standing of the vessel last Tuesday HERE.
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