FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Phuket boats banned from leaving port

Phuket boats banned from leaving port

Some Phuket boats have been banned from leaving Phuket’s port as police on Friday warned tour operators to remain at the piers.

Phuket Marine Office Chief Surat Sirisaiyat said his office has been informed by the Meteorological Department that heavy rains and strong winds will hit the southern part of Thailand on the Andaman Sea with waves of up to three metres predicted for Friday.
“The Phuket Marine Office has announced that any boat less than 10 metres long, which was planning to travel to Phi Phi Island and Racha Island today, is not allowed to leave ports. Boats heading to Phang Nga Bay, Koh Lon and islands closer to Phuket are permitted to leave port and proceed with caution.”
Tourist Police Deputy Commander Maj-General Surachet Hakpan said, “We have warned many Phuket tour operators not to leave port today. They have ignored our warnings many times before by departing from ports with tourists into the Andaman Sea while wind and waves are at dangerous level.”
Yesterday, two boats sank after encountering rough sea conditions while returning from snorkelling tours, with at least one dead and 56 still missing.
“Those two tour operators are being questioned about marine accidents for further legal action,” said Surachet.

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