A SPEEDBOAT that took seven tourists to Phi Phi island off Phuket slammed into some rocks at Maiton island on the way back injuring all of them as well as the captain and his crewman, with two of them in serious condition, Naewna newspaper said this evening (Dec. 31).
At 3.30 p.m. Phuket Regional Harbour Office was notified by Andaman Maritime Safety and Traffic Control Centre that the speedboat, Apirak 89, captained by Mr. Natthaphong Kongwilai, which had left Chalong pier for the trip to Phi Phi island, had capsized after hitting some rocks on the eastern side of Maiton island.
Two of the nine injured, the captain and a Chinese girl, are in serious condition and still unconscious at Chalong Hospital. Of the seven who were not seriously injured three were taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital and four to Dibuk Hospital.
Phuket Regional Harbour Office had quickly liaised to assist those injured and will be investigating the cause of the accident and taking action against those involved.
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Scenes of this afternoon’s boat crash at Maiton island off Phuket. All photos: Naewna
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