From The Nation / Asia News Network

All local and Chinese tourists saved along with crew

BANGKOK —  A three-story-high cruise ship sank in the Chao Phraya River near a pier late in the evening on Sunday, but all 75 passengers and staff were evacuated to a nearby pier.

At 8pm on Sunday, Pak Khlong San Police Station was alerted about the High Season 1 sinking near a private pier in Soi Somdet Chaophraya 1 in Bangkok’s Khlong San district.

Jakkri Sriraksa, 31, a staff from Khlong San Rescue Volunteer Foundation who had arrived at the scene before the police, reportedly told officials that the boat had picked up Thai and foreign tourists from a pier of a hotel on Rama III Road for a cruise on the river.

“The ship made a U-turn to return to the hotel when it reached Phra Pok Klao Bridge. The operator noticed that the ship was tilting to the right side, probably caused by a leak,” he said. “They radioed the nearest pier for emergency embarking and safely evacuated all 75 passengers and staff on the shore.”

An initial investigation revealed that the boat was registered by High Season Resort Co located in Trad province, while the boat operator was being interrogated at the police station to find the cause of the accident.

“The ship was carrying 60 passengers, most of them Thai and Chinese tourists, while the rest were staff,” said Pol Maj-General Samrid Tongtao, chief of Metropolitan Police 8.

I wonder under what provision those 60 lucky Chinese tourists were admitted ? 

6 hours ago, vinapu said:

I wonder under what provision those 60 lucky Chinese tourists were admitted ? 

I want to know this too lol

It's possible that some of the tourists entered Thailand via the medical tourism provision that went into effect last month.

From Bangkok Post (July 3)

Local tours planned for medical tourists

The government is planning for local tours for medical and wellness tourists from overseas from next month, and the start of tourism "travel bubbles" in September, a senior spokesman said on Friday .

Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said  medical and wellness tourists would be welcomed from this month on.

If they were properly handled during their 14-day quarantine-treatment at hospitals, they could then go anywhere in the country.

The government was arranging for public and private hospitals to cater for medical and wellness visitors.  Sixty-two private hospitals had applied to participate, he said.

About 1,700 foreigners from 17 countries had already registered for admission to Thailand for medical and wellness services. They would have to arrive by air to ensure effective disease control, Dr Taweesilp said.