Speeding boat driver's licence suspended
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Suspension to last six months, steersman charged Bt5,000 in fines
The Marine Department has suspended the licence of the boat driver who sent big waves crashing over a pier on Bangkok’s Saen Saeb Canal, knocking down passengers waiting there on Tuesday night.
The suspension will last for six months. The boat’s steersman was fined Bt5,000.
In a widely circulated clip – titled “Saen Saeb Tsunami” – from a security-camera video feed, the speeding boat kicked up big waves that swept onto the Charn Issara Pier along the Saen Saeb. Two women waiting there were knocked down by the impact. Fortunately, they did not fall into the canal’s foetid waters.
The boat was operated by the Krobkrua Khonsong Co Ltd.
“We have contacted the boat operator and they will offer compensation to the affected people,” Marine Department chief Sornsak Saensombat said yesterday.
Sornsak also vowed to crack down on boats racing for passengers and enforce the speed limit of 20 kilometres per hour.
“We will improve pier standards too and work closely with boat-service operators in getting quality human resources for the services,” he said.
Deputy Bangkok Governor Amorn Kitchawengkul said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s own boat services in the canal were up to standard.
“We are confident that none of our boats will be racing against each other in a bid to get more passengers,” Amorn said.
The BMA operates a fleet of 10 boats on an extension of the Saen Saeb commuter services, from Wat Sri Boonrueang to Min Buri.
Other operators run the boats along the other parts of the Saen Saeb, a narrow canal that provides a quick link for commuters through central Bangkok.
The BMA has hired Subthananakorn Limited Partnership to provide the boat services on its extension, which is covered by Thai United Insurance Co Ltd. Up to Bt100,000 is offered in the event of death or disability, and up to Bt15,000 in case of injuries.
