The incident, which occurred on Sunday (Apr 20), gained widespread attention after a video circulated online showing a speedboat towing a parasail shortly before the tow rope suddenly broke. The parasail, carrying two foreign tourists along with a staff member, dropped into the water ‒ still secured to the parasail ‒ from an estimated height of about five metres.
Online reaction was swift, with social media users questioning safety standards for beachside activities. Comments ranged from concerns about equipment maintenance to broader criticism of oversight, with some warning that deteriorating ropes exposed to sun and saltwater pose significant risks if not regularly replaced.
Tourist Police confirmed they were dispatched to investigate yesterday (Apr 21) after learning about the video. Officers from the Patong Tourist Police Station attended the scene and established that the two tourists, both Turkish nationals, were not injured in the fall. They declined to press charges or pursue legal action.
The Phuket Marine Office today (Apr 22) ordered the parasailing operator involved to suspend operations until all equipment, including ropes, parachutes and safety gear, meets required standards.
Phuket Marine Office Chief Adoon Raluekmoon said officials from the Marine Department, in coordination with Tourist Police and Marine Police, were scheduled to conduct a detailed on-site inspection today. Findings from the inspection and the cause of the rope failure are to be announced later.
Mr Adoon noted that safety measures are set to be tightened in response. Equipment inspections, previously carried out every six months, will now be conducted every two months in a bid to improve oversight and reduce risk.
He explained that past inspections were limited by reliance on specialist inspectors from Nakhon Si Thammarat, but authorities now plan to work more closely with additional private-sector experts to ensure more frequent and consistent checks.
Authorities also plan to launch safety awareness campaigns for both operators and tourists, including guidance on how to assess equipment condition and proper usage procedures. Short informational videos may be produced as part of the initiative.
Officials acknowledged that repeated safety incidents could damage Phuket’s reputation as a leading tourist destination, stressing that stricter enforcement and regular inspections are necessary to maintain visitor confidence.
The latest parasail safety incident at Kamala on Sunday follows a fatal parasailing accident at Karon Beach last year, in which a 31-year-old staff member fell 200 feet to his death after losing his grip while not secured with a safety harness.
Authorities later confirmed that the use of harnesses and sufficient crew numbers were already mandatory, and the operator involved faced a charge of negligence causing death.
In the aftermath of that incident, officials held high-level meetings and introduced stricter safety measures, including mandatory use of protective gear, tighter enforcement of staffing requirements and increased inspections of equipment and operators.
Authorities also warned that violations would result in legal action, as part of efforts to improve safety standards and protect Phuket’s tourism reputation.