Thai national park officials have had to issue an explanation after a video clip showing 85 tourists floating in the sea went viral. The clip, which shows 85 people wearing life jackets and bobbing around in the waters off Trang, sparked alarm among some Thai netizens, who thought the tourists might be in trouble.
But he chief of Hat Chao Mai National Park says there was never any cause for concern.
“The incident took place on Saturday, May 6. About 85 tourists were travelling with a two-level tour boat from the Pak Meng Pier in Trang. All tourists were led into the sea and were wearing life jackets for floating into the Emerald Cave as part of a tour program.”
Parit Narasaritkun goes on to explain that after the tourists entered the cave, the rope tethering their boat to a rock snapped.
“The rope that the boat was tied to with a rock snapped while the boat crew was waiting for the tourists to return from their tour. After all the tourists came out of the cave, they had to wait for the boat for 20 minutes as it had drifted some distance away before they safely got onto the boat.”
According to the report, there were no injuries reported in the incident, all boat passengers were wearing life jackets, and tour guides were present at all times. Parit has reassured those who saw the viral video clip that nobody was ever in any danger.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
