Chinese

A rescued woman wearing a life jacket hugs a man after a boat capsized off the tourist island of Phuket. Reuters

BANGKOK – Thai rescue workers pulled three more bodies from the Andaman Sea, officials said on Tuesday (July 10), as the grim task of identifying more than 40 dead gets underway following a boat accident off the coast of Phuket last week.

“Three more bodies were found. One found near Phi Phi island,” Somnuek Prempramote, commander of Naval Area 3, told a news conference in the popular holiday island off Thailand’s west coast.

The boat, the Phoenix, went down off Phuket in high seas on Thursday with 101 people on board, including 89 tourists, all but two of them from China, during an outing to a small island. Twelve Thai crew were also on board.

The death toll makes it the worst tourist-related disaster in Thailand in years and underscores long-standing concerns about the industry’s safety.

Forty-four people have been confirmed dead and 54 were rescued, officials said on Tuesday.

Rescuers are still searching for three missing people.

Somnuek said rescue workers would continue to search for bodies if weather conditions allow.

“The wind is quite strong,” said Somnuek, adding that plans to lift the sunken vessel were on hold.

“On moving the boat to see whether there are bodies underneath … this task will need to be assessed to see if it affects evidence in this case. We will continue to consider this option,” he said.

A Thai government minister blamed Chinese tour operators on Monday for the deaths for not respecting Thai safety legislation.</s>BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai rescue workers pulled three more bodies from the Andaman Sea, officials said on Tuesday, as the grim task of identifying more than 40 dead gets underway following a boat accident off the coast of Phuket last week.

"Three more bodies were found. One found near Phi Phi island," Somnuek Prempramote, commander of Naval Area 3, told a news conference in the popular holiday island off Thailand's west coast.

The boat, the Phoenix, went down off Phuket in high seas on Thursday with 101 people on board, including 89 tourists, all but two of them from China, during an outing to a small island. Twelve Thai crew were also on board.

The death toll makes it the worst tourist-related disaster in Thailand in years and underscores long-standing concerns about the industry's safety.

Forty-four people have been confirmed dead and 54 were rescued, officials said on Tuesday.

Rescuers are still searching for three missing people.

Somnuek said rescue workers would continue to search for bodies if weather conditions allow.

"The wind is quite strong," said Somnuek, adding that plans to lift the sunken vessel were on hold.

"On moving the boat to see whether there are bodies underneath ... this task will need to be assessed to see if it affects evidence in this case. We will continue to consider this option," he said.

A Thai government minister blamed Chinese tour operators on Monday for the deaths for not respecting Thai safety legislation.

The Phoenix sailed during bad weather. Two other boats capsized in the same area on Thursday but their passengers were brought safely to shore.

So far, more than 50 Chinese families have arrived in Phuket to identify their loved ones and take care of survivors, media reported on Monday.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha visited Phuket on Thursday and comforted some of the relatives.

The captain of the Phoenix has been charged with negligence causing death, police said. He has denied the charges.</s>Forty nine people are missing after a boat carrying 97 people, including Chinese tourists and Thai crew, capsized in rough seas off Thailand's tourist island of Phuket, the Thai navy said on Thursday.

 

 Thailand is in the middle of its monsoon season which brings with it adverse weather conditions.

 

 "Right now we are still looking for 49 people. We have helped 48 people from the capsized boat. We have sent boats to help," Rear Admiral Somnuk Prempramote, commander of the Royal Thai Navy Region 3.

 

 "They were all wearing life jackets," he added.

 

 The boat was one of three to encounter difficulties at sea in the area on Thursday, the navy said. Another two boats, including a yacht carrying 39 people, also capsized but its passengers have been brought to safety.

 

 Thailand is already making international headlines after 12 boys and their junior soccer coach were found alive this week after becoming trapped inside a cave in the country's north.

 

 Rescuers found the boys after 10 days and a multinational rescue operation to extract the boys is still ongoing.

 

 Road and boat accidents involving tourists are common in Thailand, where safety standards are sometimes well below international norms.

 

 However, accidents barely make a dent on Thailand's tourism industry, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise lackluster economy.

 

 Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat</s>BANGKOK (Reuters) - Rescue workers pulled three more bodies from the Andaman Sea on Tuesday as authorities and relatives began identifying more than 40 dead from a boat accident near Thailand’s holiday island of Phuket last week.

The Phoenix tourist boat went down in rough seas on Thursday with 101 people on board, including 89 tourists, all but two of them from China, during an outing to a small island. Twelve Thai crew were also on board.

“Three more bodies were found. One found near Phi Phi island,” Somnuek Prempramote, commander of Naval Area 3, told reporters on Phuket, a popular holiday destination off Thailand’s west coast.

Forty-four people have been confirmed dead, officials said on Tuesday, making it Thailand’s worst tourist-related disaster in years and underscoring safety concerns about the industry.

There were 54 survivors and the search for three missing people would continue if the weather allowed, Somnuek said.

“The wind is quite strong,” said Somnuek, adding that plans to lift the sunken vessel were on hold.

“On moving the boat to see whether there are bodies underneath ... this task will need to be assessed to see if it affects evidence in this case. We will continue to consider this option,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan apologized for comments he made on Monday blaming Chinese tour operators for the deaths because they did not respect Thai safety rules.

Prawit “sends his condolences and apologizes to the Chinese people,” defense ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich told reporters.

Two other boats capsized in the same area on Thursday but their passengers were brought safely to shore.

The captain of the Phoenix has been charged with negligence causing death, police said. He has denied the charges.

More than 50 Chinese families have arrived in Phuket to identify the bodies of relatives and take care of survivors, Thai media reported on Monday.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha visited Phuket on Thursday and comforted some of the relatives.</s>Thai rescue divers and a tourist police boat are seen during a search mission for missing passengers from a capsized tourist boat in the water off Phuket, Thailand, Saturday, July 7, 2018. A search resumed for some 23 missing tourists on a boat that sank during a storm off the southern resort island of Phuket. less

Thai rescue divers and a tourist police boat are seen during a search mission for missing passengers from a capsized tourist boat in the water off Phuket, Thailand, Saturday, July 7, 2018. A search resumed for ... more

Thai rescue divers' ship, right, and a Thai Navy ship are seen during a search mission for missing passengers from a capsized tourist boat in the water off Phuket, Thailand, Saturday, July 7, 2018. A search resumed for some 23 missing tourists on a boat that sank during a storm off the southern resort island of Phuket. less

Thai rescue divers' ship, right, and a Thai Navy ship are seen during a search mission for missing passengers from a capsized tourist boat in the water off Phuket, Thailand, Saturday, July 7, 2018. A search ... more

A Thai policeman looks toward a Thai navy vessel during a search mission for missing passengers from a capsized tourist boat in the water off Phuket, Thailand, Saturday, July 7, 2018. Divers who entered the wreck of a tour boat that sank in a storm off the southern Thai resort island of Phuket described heart-breaking scenes of bodies of children found in the arms of their mothers, as a search resumed Saturday for missing tourists. less

A Thai policeman looks toward a Thai navy vessel during a search mission for missing passengers from a capsized tourist boat in the water off Phuket, Thailand, Saturday, July 7, 2018. Divers who entered the ... more

Chinese teach and rescue team arrive at Chalong pier in Phuket in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. The death toll from Thursday's tragedy climbed to dozens, in Thailand's biggest tourist-related disaster in years. It was not clear how many of the dead and missing were Chinese. less

Chinese teach and rescue team arrive at Chalong pier in Phuket in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. The death toll from Thursday's tragedy climbed to dozens, in Thailand's biggest tourist-related disaster ... more

Tourists arrive at Chalong pier in Phuket in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. The death toll from Thursday's boat accident climbed to dozens, in Thailand's biggest tourist-related disaster in years. The boat, with 105 people, including 93 tourists, capsized and sank after it was hit by 5-meter (16-foot) waves. less

Tourists arrive at Chalong pier in Phuket in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. The death toll from Thursday's boat accident climbed to dozens, in Thailand's biggest tourist-related disaster in years. The ... more

Chinese rescue team arrive at Chalong pier in Phuket in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. The death toll from Thursday's tragedy climbed to dozens, in Thailand's biggest tourist-related disaster in years. It was not clear how many of the dead and missing were Chinese. less

Chinese rescue team arrive at Chalong pier in Phuket in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. The death toll from Thursday's tragedy climbed to dozens, in Thailand's biggest tourist-related disaster in years. ... more

PHUKET, Thailand (AP) — Thailand's government pledged Sunday to ensure justice for Chinese victims of a tour boat that sank in a storm off the southern resort island of Phuket, killing 42 people and leaving another 14 missing.

Tourism Minister Weerasak Kowsurat said the government will "spare no one" as it seriously investigates the tragedy, one of the largest tourism-related disasters in Thailand since a 2004 tsunami that killed thousands.

Police were investigating whether the double-decker Phoenix dive boat had been inspected by marine officials as required before it set sail Thursday, Weerasak said. The Meteorological Department issued warnings for small ships not to go to sea that day but bigger boats like the Phoenix could sail after inspection.

The boat, with 105 people, including 93 tourists, capsized and sank after it was hit by 5-meter (16-foot) waves. Officials said all of the dead were Chinese comprising 13 children, 18 women and 10 men. The age and sex of another body wasn't known.

Tourism is a vital part of the Thai economy, with the World Bank estimating the Southeast Asian nation generates about 12 percent of its gross domestic product from tourism receipts. Chinese tourists are a key driver of the industry, accounting for 9.8 million of the record 35.38 million tourists to visit the country last year.

Local police chief Sorasak Yenprem said the captain of the Phoenix has been charged with "careless conduct leading to death" and could face more than three years in jail.

He said the captain of another boat that capsized Thursday and the manager of a travel agency that chartered the boat have also been charged for being careless leading to injuries. All the passengers from the second ship were rescued.

"We will ensure that all those responsible for this tragic incident are brought to justice," Weerasak said. He and other officials at the news conference then stood up and bowed to apologize to the victims and their families.

The government will strengthen security regulations to prevent future accidents and intensify efforts to restore trust and confidence in its tourism sector, he added.

Officials said families of each victim could receive up to 1.4 million Thai baht ($42,000) in compensation.

The disaster didn't appear to deter visitors, with dozens of Western and Chinese tourists leaving on boats Sunday for diving and cruise trips despite a warning issued by the Meteorological Department for smaller ships not to go to sea.

Yi Mao Ling, a 63-year-old tourist from China's Kunming city, said he was perplexed by the tragedy as he walked up to a boat with his children and grandchildren for an island trip.

"It makes me feel uncomfortable but we can go. I am not worried," he told The Associated Press.

Thai navy official Rear Adm. Charoenpol Kumrasi said more than 30 divers were involved in an operation Sunday to flip the sunken Phoenix to retrieve a body trapped underneath. He said they will need more time and equipment to raise the wreckage, which is sitting some 45 meters (148 feet) beneath the surface.

The search for the missing would also continue, he said, with divers and helicopters searching areas around the site and the nearby sea. Nearly a dozen Chinese divers were taking part in the search.

"The waves were really high and stormy; they were hitting the boat constantly. I was with my sister, brother and two friends from school. All of them are dead. I feel terrible," Huang Jun Siong said. "I only broke my hand. I was climbing up to the top of the boat but stuff was flying around everywhere. A big piece of glass hit me."

Many Chinese have volunteered their services at the hospital to help distraught relatives.

"Even though we are doctors, in this situation, it makes us feel that life is so fragile," said Fang Han Yi, a medical student from China's Wuhan city, who volunteered at the hospital Saturday.

She was in Bangkok with her two friends but said they abandoned their holiday plans and flew to Phuket to help out. She said one of the most heartbreaking scene at the hospital Saturday were that of four Chinese students who survived the ordeal but their friend perished.

The five, from China's Guangdong province, just graduated from high school and came to Phuket to celebrate, she said.

"Two of the boys held each other so tight and cried uncontrollably," Fang said. "We cried with them."</s>Tourists look out from a tour boat at the Chalong pier in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. Thai authorities have begun operations to salvage a tour boat that sank in a storm off the southern resort island of Phuket, killing 41 people, as they search for another 14 missing tourists. less

Tourists look out from a tour boat at the Chalong pier in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. Thai authorities have begun operations to salvage a tour boat that sank in a storm off the southern resort ... more

A rescued tourist in the recent boat sinking, Huang Junxiong, is wheeled back to his bed at the Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. Thai authorities have begun operations to salvage a tour boat that sank in a storm off the southern resort island of Phuket, killing 41 people, as they search for another 14 missing tourists. less

A rescued tourist in the recent boat sinking, Huang Junxiong, is wheeled back to his bed at the Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. Thai authorities have begun operations to ... more

A Chinese relative of a victim in the recent boat sinking is consoled at the Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. from Chalong pier in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. Thai authorities have begun operations to salvage a tour boat that sank in a storm off the southern resort island of Phuket, killing 41 people, as they search for another 14 missing tourists. less

A Chinese relative of a victim in the recent boat sinking is consoled at the Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. from Chalong pier in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. Thai ... more

A Chinese relative of a victim in the recent boat sinking is consoled at the Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. from Chalong pier in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. Thai authorities have begun operations to salvage a tour boat that sank in a storm off the southern resort island of Phuket, killing 41 people, as they search for another 14 missing tourists. less

A Chinese relative of a victim in the recent boat sinking is consoled at the Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. from Chalong pier in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday, July 8, 2018. Thai ... more

PHUKET, Thailand (AP) — Five people reported to have been missing from a tour boat that sank in a storm off the southern resort island of Phuket are alive, Thai authorities said Monday, though it's unclear if the five survived the sinking or never got on the boat.

Phuket Gov. Norrapat Plodthong said authorities are trying to verify their details and some of them may have left Thailand.

Norrapat said the development came after new information emerged from Thai immigration and the Chinese Embassy.

The new information also showed there were 89 tourists, 87 of them Chinese, on the boat, instead of the previous figure of 93, he said.

The number of people who are missing has been lowered from 14 to 10, including the five who are alive but whose whereabouts are unclear, he said. The death toll remains at 42, including a body still trapped under the wreckage.

The double-decker Phoenix capsized and sank late Thursday afternoon after it was hit by 5-meter (16-foot) waves in one of Thailand's worse tourism-related disasters since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed thousands.

Officials said all of the dead were Chinese comprising 13 children, 18 women and 10 men. The age and sex of the body still under the wreckage wasn't known.

Navy officials on Monday were attempting to flip the boat to retrieve the body and check for other possible victims. Special equipment has been brought in to lift up the boat, which is sitting some 45 meters (148 feet) beneath the surface, officials said.

Tourism is a vital part of the Thai economy, with the World Bank estimating the Southeast Asian nation generates about 12 percent of its gross domestic product from tourism receipts. Chinese tourists are a key driver of the industry, accounting for 9.8 million of the record 35.38 million tourists to visit the country last year.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the country's military ruler, expressed his "profound sadness" in a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping. In the letter released by the foreign ministry Monday, Prayuth said a full investigation is underway to find the cause of the tragedy and assured Xi his government is determined to ensure such incidents would not recur.

Prayuth arrived in Phuket on Monday to observe the operations and will visit Chinese relatives and survivors at a hospital.

China's tourism ministry warned people to be careful during water-based activities abroad. The notice carried in Chinese media Monday said travelers should closely monitor weather and sea conditions and obey all warnings. Without mentioning Thailand, the notice said some cruise companies exercised lax management and maintained inadequate safety measures.

Police said the captain of the Phoenix has been charged with "careless conduct leading to death" and could face more than three years in jail.

The captain of another boat that capsized on the same day and the manager of a travel agency that chartered the boat have also been charged for being careless leading to injuries. All the passengers from the second ship were rescued.

Tourism Minister Weerasak Kowsurat, who is in Phuket, has said the government will "spare no one" and will bring all those responsible to justice. Families of each victim could receive up to 1.4 million Thai baht ($42,000) in compensation, officials said.</s>Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha consoles a relative of a victim in the last week's boat accident, Monday, July 9, 2018, on the tourist island of Phuket, Thailand. The death toll from Thursday's boat accident climbed to dozens, in Thailand's biggest tourist-related disaster in years. The boat, with 105 people, including 93 tourists, capsized and sank after it was hit by 5-meter (16-foot) waves. less

Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha consoles a relative of a victim in the last week's boat accident, Monday, July 9, 2018, on the tourist island of Phuket, Thailand. The death toll from Thursday's boat ... more

Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha consoles a relative of a victim in the last week's boat accident, Monday, July 9, 2018, on the tourist island of Phuket, Thailand. The death toll from Thursday's boat accident climbed to dozens, in Thailand's biggest tourist-related disaster in years. The boat, with 105 people, including 93 tourists, capsized and sank after it was hit by 5-meter (16-foot) waves. less

Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha consoles a relative of a victim in the last week's boat accident, Monday, July 9, 2018, on the tourist island of Phuket, Thailand. The death toll from Thursday's boat ... more

BANGKOK (AP) — Investigations into the sinking of two boats off Thailand's southern resort island of Phuket last week are progressing, police said Tuesday. The sinking of one boat left 45 Chinese tourists dead and two missing.

The double-decker tour boat Phoenix capsized and sank late Thursday afternoon after it was hit by 5-meter (16-foot) waves in one of Thailand's worst tourism-related disasters in recent years.

Everyone from the smaller second boat, the Serenata, was rescued.

Thai officials say both boats went to sea despite official warnings about the rough weather, and they have been pursuing legal action against those involved.

Police said the captain of the Phoenix had been charged with negligence causing death and the manager of the company operating the Serenata may be charged with negligence causing physical and mental damage to others. They said 50 people had been questioned in connection with the cases.

Officials said salvage operations could not be conducted Tuesday because of bad weather.

While the official death toll is 44, the actual toll is 45 because the body of one of three people listed as missing is trapped under the sunken Phoenix. The search and recovery operation will continue until all are accounted for, said Thai officials.

Dr. Chirapan Taypan of the Phuket Provincial Public Health office said Tuesday morning that 37 of the 44 recovered bodies had been identified.

China's tourism ministry has warned people to be careful during water-based activities abroad. The notice carried in Chinese media Monday said travelers should closely monitor weather and sea conditions and obey all warnings. Without mentioning Thailand, the notice said some cruise companies exercised lax management and maintained inadequate safety measures.

Tourism is a vital part of the Thai economy, with the World Bank estimating the Southeast Asian nation generates about 12 percent of its gross domestic product from tourism receipts. Chinese tourists are a key driver of the industry, accounting for 9.8 million of the record 35.38 million tourists to visit the country last year.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the country's military ruler, expressed his "profound sadness" in a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping. In the letter released by the foreign ministry Monday, Prayuth said a full investigation is underway to find the cause of the tragedy and assured Xi that his government is determined to ensure such incidents would not recur.

Tourism Minister Weerasak Kowsurat has said the government will "spare no one" and will bring all those responsible to justice. Families of each victim could receive up to 1.4 million Thai baht ($42,000) in compensation, officials said.</s>BANGKOK (AP) - Police say their investigations into the sinking of two boats off Thailand's southern resort island of Phuket last week are progressing. The sinking of one boat left 45 Chinese tourists dead and two still missing.

The double-decker tour boat Phoenix capsized and sank late Thursday afternoon after it was hit by 5-meter (16-foot) waves in one of Thailand's worst tourism-related disasters in recent years.

Everyone from the second boat that sank last week was rescued.

Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha consoles a relative of a victim in the last week's boat accident, Monday, July 9, 2018, on the tourist island of Phuket, Thailand. The death toll from Thursday's boat accident climbed to dozens, in Thailand's biggest tourist-related disaster in years. The boat, with 105 people, including 93 tourists, capsized and sank after it was hit by 5-meter (16-foot) waves. (AP Photo)

Thai officials say both boats went to sea despite official warnings about the rough weather, and they have been pursuing legal action against those involved.

Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha consoles a relative of a victim in the last week's boat accident, Monday, July 9, 2018, on the tourist island of Phuket, Thailand. The death toll from Thursday's boat accident climbed to dozens, in Thailand's biggest tourist-related disaster in years. The boat, with 105 people, including 93 tourists, capsized and sank after it was hit by 5-meter (16-foot) waves. (AP Photo)</s>The Latest on a boat capsizing in Thailand (all times local):

The Chinese foreign ministry has urged Thailand's government to step up its efforts to rescue any survivors from the sinking of a tour boat off a southern island in the Southeast Asian nation.

Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters at a regular briefing that Beijing has asked Thailand to "expand the scope for rescue and to mobilize various forces to join in the efforts."

Hua said Thailand has assured Beijing it will not stop the search until all the Chinese tourists are found.

The double-decker Phoenix capsized and sank late Thursday afternoon after it was hit by 5-meter (16-foot) waves in one of Thailand's worst tourism-related disasters since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed thousands.

China is warning its people to be careful during water-based activities when traveling abroad after a fatal boat capsizing in Thailand.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism said Monday that travelers should closely monitor weather and sea conditions and obey all warnings.

The notice carried in local newspapers and websites did not specifically mention Thailand but said some cruise companies exercised lax management and maintained inadequate safety measures.

The boat that capsized during a storm off Phuket last Thursday killed at least 42 people with 10 still missing. Most passengers were Chinese.

Chinese accounted for slightly under one-third of the 35.38 million tourists who visited Thailand last year.

Thai authorities say five people reported to have been missing from a boat that sank off the southern resort island of Phuket last week are alive.

It's not clear if the five survived the sinking or never got on the boat.

Phuket Gov. Norrapat Plodthong says authorities are trying to verify details and some of the five may have left Thailand.

Norrapat also said Monday the boat that sank in a storm Thursday afternoon carried 89 tourists, mostly Chinese, instead of 93.

He said 10 people are now missing, instead of the previous figure of 14, including the five people believed to have survived. The death toll remains at 42.

He said the revised numbers of tourists and the missing followed new information from Thai immigration and the Chinese Embassy.</s>Yesterday (July 9) the Phuket PR Office revealed the latest death toll for passengers from the ‘Phoenix’ yacht that sunk south-west of Phuket on Thursday evening. One more body has been recovered near Koh Mai Ton.

The Phuket PR Office announced that it was originally thought that there were 93 tourists plus 12 boat crew and tour guides who were registered with the Phuket Marine Office on Thursday (July 5) to travel on the ‘Phoenix’ – a total of 105.
The death toll from a tourist boat accident off the coast of Thailand's Phuket Island climbs to 44, with five people still missing.