United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Two children die in Phuket speedboat collision
Two young children have died and at least 22 other people were injured in a high-speed speedboat collision off Phuket’s east coast.
The Andaman Leisure Phuket speedboat, was carrying 39 passengers and heading out on a day trip in Phang Nga Bay when it struck another boat.
Passengers on the boat were all Russian tourists.
The two dead children were Russian nationals aged 12 and six years old.
"Two speedboats have collided. There was only the Thai crew on board of one of them, while there were 39 Russian tourists on board of the second one. Over 20 Russians have sustained injuries of various degrees of severity," said Vladimir Pronin, spokesman at the Russian embassy in Thailand.
According to Major Ekachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police, a full investigation is underway with authorities detaining both boat drivers.
They have been charged with reckless driving causing death and injury.
It comes 18 months after Thailand’s worst boating accident when 47 Chinese tourists died after a boat sank off Phuket.
That led to a big drop in Chinese visitors to Phuket and a major revamp of marine tourism safety regulations.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel