Mr Sittiphon’s statement, issued yesterday (Sept 11), targetted boat operators, especially those carrying ‘tourists’, ignoring bans on small boats putting to sea during periods of heavy weather throughout the southwest monsoon season.
“Please strictly follow the orders of the officials to reduce the loss of life that may occur,” he said.
The statement from Mr Sittiphon came after water rescue teams recovered the second body from a small fishing boat that sank off Koh Aew on Sunday (Sept 10).
Two of the four people on board drowned in the boat sinking: Witthaya ‘Aod’ Maliwan and Wisit Songkun, 44, a resident of Moo 1, Chalong.
Both Mr Witthaya and Mr Wisit were guests on the boat, heading out on a fishing trip.
The two boatmen on the boat survived the sinking and made it safely ashore.
Abidin Tummali, 46, one of the survivors, said that the four departed Palai Pier on a small three-seat fiberglass boat at 10am.
At that time it was raining but the waves were not big, Mr Abidin said.
However, the waves grew in size and came at the boat from overlapping directions. The boat started taking on water, and sank, he added.
“In this regard, we urge local fishermen, commercial fisherman and tourists that despite having expertise please listen closely to the warning announcements from the Meteorological Department or the Marine Department during this period,” Mr Sittiphon said yesterday.
“Especially small boats under seven metres long should be strictly prohibited from fishing or leaving the shore, even at a close distance, because an accident may occur,” he added.
“What matters is that sailors, citizens and tourists must take care to prevent such danger. You should strictly follow the instructions of the officials. If you neglect [safety procedures], violate [safety rules] or be careless, it will result in damage and loss that may occur at any time,” he said.