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Phuket bans 10 boats in marine safety crackdown
Authorities in Phuket have banned 10 more boats from operating as they continue to crack down on unsafe vessels.
Safety inspections are being carried out on the orders of the Prime Minister following the Phoenix boat disaster which claimed the lives of dozens of Chinese tourists recently.
More than 400 tourist and fishing boats have been inspected so far with about 200 deemed not seaworthy for passenger trips.
Operators of these boats are on notice to make necessary repairs before being allowed to operate.
The goal is to improve marine tourism safety and restore confidence, especially in the China market, said Tourist Police deputy commander Surachate Hakparn.
He said about 20% of bookings made by Chinese customers for Phuket trips have been cancelled in the wake of the tragedy which killed 47 people.
"The measures taken to solve this are both short-term and long-term and are to encourage tourists to visit Thailand," he said.
Tohrism officials in Phuket fear it could cost the tourism industry more than USD1 billion in lost business.
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