Confirmation finally came buried at the bottom of an official report of the daily briefing for the ‘Seven Days’ safety campaign held yesterday (Jan 3).
However, the report named the boat captain as “Mr Natharuj, age 41”.
Previous reports by Phuket officials named the boat captain as “Natthaphong Kongwilai, 41”. (See here, here and here.)
The boat captain, Natharuj or Natthaphong, remains in hospital in serious condition, the report added.
Of the nine people admitted to hospital for injuries sustained in the accident, three have been released from medical care, the report continued.
Officials had confirmed that the boat registration had expired.
“We have coordinated with the insurance company. Thailand has developed insurance in order to jointly provide full compensation and care for the injured and deceased. The province has coordinated with foreign consulates to take care of tourists to be safe while traveling in Phuket province,” the report said.
Officials had spoken with the father of the boat owner, who explained that he had been working as a boat operator for more than 20 years. He has two boats, one of which he gave to his son to pursue his own career, the report explained.
The boat registration renewal had been submitted, but not completed, the father told officials.
“No one wants this to happen. In order to build confidence in the safety of tourists, we emphasise strict inspections of boat drivers. and boat crew to be ready to drive boats for maximum safety of tourists,” the report concluded.
Meanwhile, the speedboat Apirak 89 has been hauled out of the water at Chalong Bay and is now at a local shipyard.
Officers led by Pol Lt Col Wachirapisak Na Songkhla, Inspector of the Phuket Tourist Police, joined by Adul Ramkhammun, described as an expert boat inspector, conducted a preliminary inspection of the speedboat yesterday (Jan 3).