China thanks Thailand on rescuing capsized victims

BANGKOK, July 7 (TNA) -- The Chinese government has thanked Thailand on providing full efforts and assistance in rescuing tourist victims, mostly Chinese, following capsized of two tourist boats and a jet ski in rough seas off the southern coastal province off Phuket on Thursday. Chinese ambassador to Thailand Lyo Jian attended a meeting and discussed ways to rescue missing victims from the boat accidents with related officials including Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat on Friday night. Mr Lyo travelled to Phuket to boost morale of the Chine tourists who have been rescued from the sea tragedy of which 38 persons were found drowned while 18 others are still missing, according to official figures released this morning. Expressing sorrow by the Thai government, Mr Weerasak reportedly told Mr Lyo that more than 800 search and rescue officials are being deployed in the mission to search for the missing victims. More personnel are expected to be dispatched on Saturday. A committee comprising seven personnel has been established to take legal actions against the owners of the boats and the jet ski. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued a statement calling for a continuing search of the missing victims and thanked the Thai government in putting utmost efforts in an attempt to find the victims as well as providing cares to those who have been rescued. On the part of ambassador Lyo, he said the Beijing government is shocked upon learning of the sea tragedy while President Xi has ordered both the Chinese foreign ministry and the consular to speed on searching the missing persons. (TNA)