The tourist, 50-year-old Lu Weidong, died whilst being transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital after he was pulled from the water unconscious whilst swimming at Batok Bay on Feb 2.
Following reports that no tour guide was present, Mr Santi said that his office would investigate the company regarding whether or not a tour guide was present on that day. (See story here.)
“We cannot do anything more until the police have concluded their investigation, which I hope they will conclude by next week,” Santi Pawai told The Phuket News today (Feb 13).
“After the incident, I ordered my office to investigate Nonthasak Marine about the allegation that they did not provide tour guide, but my officers told me that the company assured that they did in fact have a tour guide with the group that day.
“However, in carrying out investigations, we (MoTS) have no power alone. We must have police leading the investigation, hence we are waiting for their conclusions,” he said.
Regardless, Chalong Police Chief Col Nopphadon Thiriprawat yesterday declined to reveal any details of the police investigation into the death.
“The investigation for this case is still ongoing,” is all he would say.