Phuket boat accident will not affect tourism industry

BANGKOK, June 9 (TNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon believed that the fatal boat accident in Phuket would not affect tourism industry in Thailand. Gen Prawit said that he was confident that the tourist boat capsizing in Phuket that resulted in an alarmingly high death toll will not harm Thailand's tourist sector. Gen Prawit said that the boat operator seem to be the nominees for a Chinese business and the accident was caused by a blatant disregard for the Meteorological Department's warning of storm conditions and rough sea by the boat captain. Gen Prawit stated that authorities were investigating the boat operators to check on the validity of their permits and contracts. The deputy Premier assured the public that fears that the incident might shed a negative sheen on the country's tourist sector was unfounded as the fault was entirely due to foreigners but in any event the government had the responsibility of ensuring that such an oversight never happens again. (TNA)