Thai PM follows up ferry tragedy in Pattaya

PATTAYA CITY, THAILAND, November 5 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visited eastern resort Pattaya City in Chon Buri Province on Tuesday afternoon to follow up, herself, a recent ferry tragedy. Accompanied by concerned officials, Yingluck later arrived in Pattaya, where she followed up assistance for victims and discussed measures to prevent such the incident from recurring in the future, as it affects the domestic tourism. Most passengers, 11 of them, both Thai and foreign tourists, who injured in the sunk ferry incident near Koh Lan or Lan Island off the Pattaya City, have reportedly remained in hospitals for treatment. The tragedy happened in the evening of November 3, when a big ferry carrying more than 200 passengers capsized on its way from Koh Lan to the Bali Hai headland in Pattaya. Officials have confirmed that six people died, comprising three Thai and three foreign tourists, while 14 others were seriously injured in the incident. The tragedy in Pattaya has prompted marine officers in Thailand's southern resort Krabi Province to check conditions of long boats serving tourists along the coast and to keep them safe for international tourists during the high season. Boonchao Tangsripaisal, Director of Krabi's branch of the Marine Department, noted that most local boat operators prioritize public safety, as international tourists have seriously valued it. (TNA)