Police in Phuket have charged a boat driver with injuring 35 people after the speedboat he was driving crashed into a marker in Chalong Bay. Most of those injured in the May 17 incident were Russian nationals.
Khaosod English reports that police spoke with 19 witnesses, all of whom say the boat driver was acting recklessly. Sermphan Sirikong, chief of Phuket Provincial Police, says the man has been charged under Sections 300 and 390 for negligence and causing injury to others. The offence carries a punishment of up to 3 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 60,000 baht.
A total of 35 people needed hospital treatment following the collision, which occurred as the speedboat was transporting tourists back from a trip to the Phi Phi islands. While most of the injured are Russians, other nationalities on the boat included 4 Thais, 9 from Kazakhstan, 1 person from Hong Kong, 1 from China, and 1 Ukrainian. Of the injured, 16 remain in hospital.
According to the Khaosod English report, the injured have been visited by Phuket Immigration officers, who helped them extend their visas. The hospitals treating the patients have been asked to notify Immigration if any tourists need to extend their stay further in order to continue receiving treatment.
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SOURCE: Khaosod English
