INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED INTO CHAO PHRAYA BOAT COLLISION

INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED INTO CHAO PHRAYA BOAT COLLISION

The authorities have launched an investigation into last week’s collision on the Chao Phraya River that left 4 Chinese tourists injured.

The tourists, one man and 3 women, were thrown into the water when the longtail tour boat they were on collided with a ferry owned by the Royal Thai Navy.

 The collision happened in the vicinity of Tha Prachan, near the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, at around 4pm on Thursday, June 6.

Four Chinese tourists on the longtail were rescued after falling into the water. 

However, they had all sustained injuries and were sent to Hua Chiew Hospital for treatment. The tour boat they were on subsequently sank.

The Navy vessel, which had two naval officers on board at the time of the collision, sustained minor damage. It’ s understood the owner of the tour boat has agreed to pay for the damage in full.

The Bangkok Post reports that Manaporn Charoensri, the deputy transport minister, says the Marine Department has been instructed to contact the tour boat owner to provide the 4 injured passengers with assistance. The department has also been ordered to launch an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

Ms Manaporn says if the tour boat company is found responsible for the collision, their operating licence will be suspended. According to the Marine Department, the licence is currently due to expire on February 8 next year.

Meanwhile, the man driving the boat at the time of the collision has been named as Techasit Jakkarinsukjaroen. It’s understood Mr Techasit is certified as a second-class helmsman of power-driven river vessels. That certificate is due to expire on March 19, 2028.