Warunya Thongrod
Chonburi’s governor barred ferry operators from running trips
after dark during the year-end holidays.
Chonburi Permanent
Secretary Chawalit Saeng-Uthai announces that Chonburi’s governor barred
ferry operators from running trips after dark during the year-end
holidays.
Gov. Khomsan Ekachai issued the strict operating
rules Dec. 25, preventing ferries from operating in any provincial
waters from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. between Dec. 27 and Jan. 2. The order
affected Pattaya, Sriracha, and Koh Si Chang.
Khomsan noted that the New Year’s holidays traditionally saw surges of
tourist traffic between Pattaya and Koh Larn, and Sriracha and Koh Si
Chang. As well as increased use of passenger, rental and speed boats for
water sports.
Having seen dozens of tourists hurt or killed during the past year in
marine accidents, the governor acknowledged that officials can no longer
guarantee the safety of boat passengers. So, to mitigate risk, he simply
shut down all nighttime services during their highest-use period.
He also assigned more officers to work ferry stations, checking that
boats weren’t overloaded, crewmembers were drunk or high, and that
weather conditions were safe.
“It’s been shown we cannot even handle afternoon accidents. If there
were an accident at night, it would be a disaster,” said Chonburi
Permanent Secretary Chawalit Saeng-Uthai. “These measures may affect
certain operators, but we want citizens to understand that the losses
are not worth the risk.”
