Phuket Tourist Police reported yesterday (Jan 14) that the speedboat driver, so far identified by police only as ‘Mr Suriya’, has been charged under an arrest warrant issued by the Krabi Provincial Court for negligent conduct causing death and serious injury, as well as illegal possession and use of a Category 1 narcotic, methamphetamine.
Mr Suriya was handed over to investigating officers at Koh Phi Phi Police Station for further legal proceedings, Phuket Tourist Police confirmed.
The charges stem from a collision on Sunday, when the tour speedboat ‘Koravich Marine’ struck a fishing trawler about five nautical miles from Koh Phi Phi. The crash killed a 17-year-old Russian girl and injured at least 20 others, including several children.
Pol Col Atthawat Suwannarat, Chief of Phi Phi Police, previously confirmed that the victim was travelling with a family member at the time of the incident. The speedboat was reportedly travelling at high speed when it hit the fishing vessel, though investigators initially said further witness questioning and technical examinations were required to determine the exact cause.
The ‘Koravich Marine’, operated by A Time Company, was travelling from Phuket with 55 people on board, including 50 tourists, two guides and three crew members. Authorities said passengers included 33 Russian nationals, as well as tourists from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, the United Kingdom and Thailand.
A large-scale rescue operation was launched immediately, involving Marine Police Region 3, the Krabi Provincial Marine Police, private fishing vessels, medical teams and multiple government agencies. All injured passengers were first taken to Koh Phi Phi Hospital before being transferred to hospitals in Phuket for further treatment.
Hospital officials confirmed that 14 injured passengers were admitted to Vachira Phuket Hospital, four to Siriroj Hospital and one to Dhibuk Hospital. Most were reported to be in stable condition.
Suriya himself suffered serious injuries in the collision, including two broken arms and a fractured neck, and was initially treated at Vachira Phuket Hospital. Police had ordered drug and alcohol testing following the incident, with the results later forming part of the charges now filed.
In the aftermath of the crash, authorities stepped up enforcement measures targeting marine tourism safety. Tourist Police led a random drug screening operation at Chalong Pier on Tuesday (Jan 13), citing heightened safety concerns following the fatal collision.
During the sweep, 87 boat drivers and crew members were tested, with six returning positive urine tests for drugs. Officials confirmed all six will face legal action in accordance with the law.
Tourist Police said the inspections were carried out under national policy directives aimed at tightening safety standards in marine tourism and restoring confidence among visitors travelling by sea in Phuket. Further inspections are expected as authorities continue closer oversight of tour boat operators and crew across the province.
Investigations into the Phi Phi collision itself are continuing, with police examining vessel speed, lookout practices and navigational conditions at the time of the crash.