One person was injured when an apparently overloaded speedboat carrying 27 South Korean tourists sank as it returned from Koh Larn.
The “Seaworld,” outfitted to carry 24 people, sank less than 200 meters from Bali Hai Pier after developing a leak in its deck. All the passengers were rescued, with one taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
Tour guide Phakkhorn Sunthornmatcha the boat had impacted forcefully with waves just before the leak developed. The South Korean passengers panicked slightly and had to be pulled from the sea as the boat took on water.
Police took the boat’s captain, Chusak Prasankaew, 46, to Pattaya Police Station for questioning and seized the boat for further inspection.
A rescue boat tows the stricken vessel back to shore.
