All survive from speed boat accident off Thai coast

PHUKET, August 28 (TNA) - A speed boat carrying over 40 people, most of whom are foreign tourists, sank in rough seas off Thailand's southern Andaman coast on Monday, but all aboard the boat with their life jackets survived. A Thai marine police officer, Lieutenant Colonel Panya Chaichana, was quoted as confirming this morning that the speed boat sank of Koh Phi Phi, a renowned resort island off Thailand's southern Krabi Province, but all people aboard the boat, 37 are Asian and European tourists and four others are crew members, were rescued by Thai Navy ships, fishing boats and other nearby vessels. The marine police officer said that all the rescued tourists, including those from China, Indonesia and Malaysia, and crew members were safely taken to Phi Phi and nearly Phuket Islands. The speed boat was reportedly heading to Phuket, from Phi Phi, and then facing the rough seas with strong and high waves. The Meteorological Department had earlier issued a warning of heavy downpours and high waves in southern Thai areas. (TNA)