The Marine Department has ordered an urgent investigation into the blaze which broke out this morning on a passenger boat floating near Koh Tao Island, off the coast of Surat Thani province.
An initial investigation has revealed that the fire started in the engine room, but its cause is still being investigated, said the department’s Director General, Kritphet Chaihuay, today.
The boat, carrying 90 passengers and eight crew, left Surat Thani at about 9:30pm last night, heading to Tao Island, he said, adding that authorities were alerted about the accident at approximately 6:40am this morning.
The passengers and the crew jumped into the sea and rescue teams rushed to assist them. Other tour boats operating nearby also took part in the rescue effort.
There were no injuries reported and the fire was extinguished by about 8:20am.
Kritphet says that he has already ordered the tightening of safety measures, as we approach the long Songkran holidays.
