Boat operators’ permits revoked after 41 confirmed dead
Thailand’s marine department has revoked the permit for the operator of a tour boat at the centre of one of the country’s worst tour boat disasters.
The skipper of the tour boat Phoenix has been charged with negligence after the boat capsized in rough weather off the island of Phuket.
Rescue teams spent all weekend scouring the ocean to retrieve bodies.
The boat went down in stormy seas as it returned to Phuket from the island of Koh Racha with 105 on board, mostly Chinese tourists.
A second boat, carrying mostly European passengers, overturned at about the same time but all 39 on board were rescued.
The permit for that boat was also revoked, said Jirut Wisanjit, director-general of the marine department.
An investigation has been ordered into why the tourist boats went out despite severe weather warnings.
Authorities have confirmed at least 41 deaths with 15 people still missing.
Relatives of dozens of passengers thought to have died arrived during the weekend in Phuket to formally identify their family members.
An information centre has been set up at Phuket airport to assist grieving relatives.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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