Just heard from a nautical friend in Phuket
"It was actually an overloaded big longtail with motorbikes loaded on
the roof."
In message <26f3b118.0503051051.2809f1ac@posting.google.com>, six-toes
writes
>STORM DAMAGE: Capsized ferry leaves 10 dead
>
>Published on March 06, 2005
>
>Several others seriously injured as heavy rains lash South; Patong
>Beach ‘Rak Andaman' festival breaks up in panic
>
>A ferry carrying 70 passengers yesterday capsized off the southern
>island resort of Phuket, killing at least 10 people on board,
>following an abrupt climate change and heavy rainstorms.
>
>Panic also gripped residents and foreign tourists on the island
>attending a festival on Patong Beach. The event was being held to
>revive the tourism industry following the devastating tsunami on
>December 26.
>
>Vichian Mat-raksa of Koh Yao Hospital, in the nearby province of Phang
>Nga, said 37 people had been taken to hospital. Nine were in a serious
>condition and had to be air-lifted by Navy helicopter to the
>better-equipped Vatchira Phuket Hospital.
>
>The Meteorological Department, which had earlier issued a weather
>warning, said yesterday that more thunderstorms and strong winds were
>expected to hit the South.
>
>Survivors said the Rung Roj ferry capsized during a crossing from Bang
>Rong Pier in Phuket to Koh Yao in Phang Nga.
>
>Prasert Nonsee, 45, one of the survivors, told The Nation he was on
>his way back from visiting relatives who were affected by last year's
>tsunami.
>
>"When the ferry was halfway between Phuket and Phang Nga,
>thunderstorms struck. Waves were very high," he said.
>
>Other survivors said the waves were up to three metres high.
>
>The Navy scrambled two ships and a helicopter to pick up survivors. A
>rescue team and expert divers from the Marine Police also took part in
>the rescue mission.
>
>Meanwhile, at Patong Beach in Phuket, strong winds collapsed the
>outdoor stage constructed for the Phuket beach festival, part of the
>"Rak Andaman" (Love Andaman) campaign to revitalise tourism in
>southern Thailand, which was earlier ravaged by the tsunami.
>
>Supreme Commander General Chaisit Shinnawatra was handing out awards
>to volunteer divers involved in the post-tsunami clean-up operation
>when rainstorms struck.
>
>The festival has now been postponed.
>
>Meanwhile, in the southern province of Chumphon, two fishing boats
>capsized but no casualties were reported.
>
>Weather officials said low pressure coming down from China was
>responsible for the abrupt climate changes and asked fishermen to stay
>away from the sea.
>
>The weather has sent the mercury plunging around the country. In
>Chiang Mai, the average temperature during the day dropped from 37
>degrees to 27 degrees Celsius. Bangkok also experienced a cold spell.
>
>The Nation
>
>Phuket
--
Philip Allum |