Pattaya ferry captain confesses to drug use!!

The ferry that runs from Pattaya to Koh Larn capsizes as a result of the captain being on drugs!

This article from Phuket News states that the captain has turned himself in and confessed to being under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. here is that article below:

            PATTAYA: -- The captain of a ferry that capsized about 1,500 metres offshore from Pattaya on Sunday evening has turned himself in, telling police he was high on drugs while on his duty.

Saman Kwanmuang, 42, turned himself into police on Sunday night, hours after his ferry capsized while returning about 200 Thai and foreign tourists from a day trip to Koh Larn.

Pol Maj Gen Katcha Tatusatra, Chon Buri police chief, said the captain confessed to officers that he took some drugs before going to work, and that he and the crew lost control of the vessel as a result. He allegedly confessed the ferry wandered off course, and hit the rocks, breaching the vessel, punching holes and letting water pour in.

According to a report in Daily News, Mr Saman realised the problem, so he turned off all power so he could try to fix the water pump. He issued no warning to his passengers, supposedly so they would not panic.

However, after 10 minutes, so much water had flowed into the bottom deck of the two-deck boat that passengers had indeed begun to panic. Squabbles broke out, apparently because there were not enough life jackets to go around, the captain allegedly told police.\

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation confirmed on Monday that six people died - three foreigners and three Thais. Another 18 were treated for injuries.

The known victims were identified as Chuchart Chompoonak, 53, Aree Attayoko, 67, Nanthawadee Sopithapong, 44, and To Kin Man, 48. Authorities were still trying to verify the identities of a Russian woman and another foreigner.

Earlier reports of three Russian deaths proved wrong. The Russian embassy in Bangkok said only one Russian, a woman, was confirmed dead.

The injured were taken to Pattaya Memorial Hospital, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and Banglamung Hospital.

A team of 10 scuba divers sent out by Chon Buri governor Komsan Aekchai on Monday to investigate the sunken ferry reported seeing a crack on the boat's bow. They found no other bodies.
 

Mr Komsan said the vessel will be salvaged next month.

The Marine Department will investigate the cause of the ferry’s capsizing, but an initial investigation suggested the deaths and injuries stemmed from overloading and insufficient safety equipment, the department’s director-general Sornsak Saensombat said.

The Marine Department has already revoked the captain's licence.

The double-decker ferry sank about 5.30pm on Sunday, shortly after leaving Koh Larn with a full load of passengers heading for Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya. The boat’s water pumps broke down, the vessel was flooded and the engine stopped functioning, he said.

The passengers panicked and moved up to the top deck of the vessel, which then over-balanced, capsized and swiftly sank.


-- Phuket News 2013-11-05

Pattaya ferry sinks of coast of Koh Larn---latest update

Pattaya Ferry capsizes off of Koh Larn yesterday!

It seems like almost every other month you hear about a ferry sinking and it always has the one common denominator...overcrowding! Most commonly happening in Southern Phillipines and Indonesia Thailand ferry operators have gotten away with it for years...until now. Here is the latest from Pattaya One News

UPDATED: 6 dead, over 100 injured in Pattaya Larn Island Ferry Disaster
Posted on November 3, 2013 at 10:52 pm

Current reports suggest 6 people have been killed and up to 200 people have been injured in, what is being described as, Pattaya’s worst marine accident in living history.

Just after 4pm on Sunday reports began to come in of a Passenger Ferry which had sunk off the coast of Larn Island. It was quickly confirmed that the boat was carrying far more people than it is licensed to.

As of time of publication the names or nationalities of those who have died have not been officially confirmed and the figure is set to rise, as up to 20 of the injured are currently in critical condition in Hospital. One Police source suggested 3 Thai Nationals, 2 Russians and 1 Chinese Tourists were those that died and others are feared missing presumed drowned.

The boat which sunk was named as the “Koh Larn Travel 1” Ferry which is a 2-storey ferry with a licensed capacity of 150 passengers. It has now been confirmed that 209 passengers were on-board when it sunk approximately 500 meters off the coast of Nuan Beach on Larn island, approximately 7kms off the coast of Pattaya. Unconfirmed reports suggest a water pump was not working on the vessel which caused it to sink in under 1 minute after passengers quickly moved to the upper-deck making the boat highly unstable.

Emergency vessels and private vessels were quickly on-scene to help those in the water. Some were administered CPR at the scene which continued at the Bali Hai Port. The list of those who lost their lives is expected to be released within the next 24 hours.

Later on Sunday Royal Thai navy Divers were brought in from their base in Sattahip District to begin the task of searching for those missing presumed drowned which is thought to number more than 15.

The Captain of the vessel was named as Khun Saman aged 42 who is believed to have somehow escaped before rescue boats arrived and is now wanted by Police. An arrest warrant for him is expected to be issued on Monday. He is thought to have first collected passengers from Tawean Beach on the Island and then moved round to Nuan Beach. This is thought to have been the last ferry leaving the Island on Sunday which is why so many people were on-board. It was also reported that the ferry had returned from the boatyard 2 weeks ago after undergoing extensive repairs and renovations.

How the Pattaya authorities who are responsible for Marine safety respond to this tragedy is still unclear but recent promises to enforce regulations at sea to prevent major disasters such as this one appear to have been broken.

No emergency numbers or points of contact for those needing information about friends or family members have been published. Pattaya One will update this story as new information is received.

- See more at: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/107860/6-dead-100-injured-pattaya-larn-island-ferry-disaster/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PattayaOneNews+%28Pattaya+One+News%29#sthash.eTIPxQjf.dpuf

Current reports suggest 6 people have been killed and up to 200 people have been injured in, what is being described as, Pattaya’s worst marine accident in living history.
Just after 4pm on Sunday reports began to come in of a Passenger Ferry which had sunk off the coast of Larn Island. It was quickly confirmed that the boat was carrying far more people than it is licensed to.
As of time of publication the names or nationalities of those who have died have not been officially confirmed and the figure is set to rise, as up to 20 of the injured are currently in critical condition in Hospital. One Police source suggested 3 Thai Nationals, 2 Russians and 1 Chinese Tourists were those that died and others are feared missing presumed drowned.
The boat which sunk was named as the “Koh Larn Travel 1” Ferry which is a 2-storey ferry with a licensed capacity of 150 passengers. It has now been confirmed that 209 passengers were on-board when it sunk approximately 500 meters off the coast of Nuan Beach on Larn island, approximately 7kms off the coast of Pattaya. Unconfirmed reports suggest a water pump was not working on the vessel which caused it to sink in under 1 minute after passengers quickly moved to the upper-deck making the boat highly unstable.
Emergency vessels and private vessels were quickly on-scene to help those in the water. Some were administered CPR at the scene which continued at the Bali Hai Port. The list of those who lost their lives is expected to be released within the next 24 hours.
Later on Sunday Royal Thai navy Divers were brought in from their base in Sattahip District to begin the task of searching for those missing presumed drowned which is thought to number more than 15.
The Captain of the vessel was named as Khun Saman aged 42 who is believed to have somehow escaped before rescue boats arrived and is now wanted by Police. An arrest warrant for him is expected to be issued on Monday. He is thought to have first collected passengers from Tawean Beach on the Island and then moved round to Nuan Beach. This is thought to have been the last ferry leaving the Island on Sunday which is why so many people were on-board. It was also reported that the ferry had returned from the boatyard 2 weeks ago after undergoing extensive repairs and renovations.
How the Pattaya authorities who are responsible for Marine safety respond to this tragedy is still unclear but recent promises to enforce regulations at sea to prevent major disasters such as this one appear to have been broken.
No emergency numbers or points of contact for those needing information about friends or family members have been published. Pattaya One will update this story as new information is received.

- See more at: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/107860/6-dead-100-injured-pattaya-larn-island-ferry-disaster/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PattayaOneNews+%28Pattaya+One+News%29#sthash.eTIPxQjf.dpuf

UPDATED: 6 dead, over 100 injured in Pattaya Larn Island Ferry Disaster - See more at: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/107860/6-dead-100-injured-pattaya-larn-island-ferry-disaster/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PattayaOneNews+%28Pattaya+One+News%29#sthash.eTIPxQjf.dpuf

UPDATED: 6 dead, over 100 injured in Pattaya Larn Island Ferry Disaster - See more at: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/107860/6-dead-100-injured-pattaya-larn-island-ferry-disaster/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PattayaOneNews+%28Pattaya+One+News%29#sthash.eTIPxQjf.dpuf

Executive Residence Condo for Sale on Pratumnak Hill

An absolutely immaculately presented condo on prestigeous Pratamanak Hill with an uninterrupted view of Koh Larn.

This 183 Sqm 2 Bedroom 3 bath Sea View Condo is in Executive Residence 2-4 is very reasonably priced at 11,500,000 MB. Also available for long term rental and holiday rental.

The building's conveniences include: 

• swimming pool                                                
• fitness center                                                   
• covered parking
• 24 hr security with cctv and key card entry

 

Huge open floor plan affords plenty of space for 

dining and living area.

 

 

 

2 Bedrooms include Master and Guest both with en-suite bathrooms and air con. Built in wardrobe in master.

 

 

 

Large European kitchen complete with 

• 4 burner electric hob with hood
• refrigerator
• microwave
• western over
• electric kettle

 

 

Spacious balcony with dining table, sofa, and 

uninterrupted sea view.

 

For more information or to arrange a viewing

Email: Brian@bigmangoproperties.com

I.D.# 18379

                                                   

Weather in Pattaya is just perfect right now!

You simply could not ask for better weather in Pattaya or most of Thailand for that matter. 

Daytime temps have been averaging about 30-31c or roughly 85f with relatively low humidity. Skies have fluctuated between hazy sunshine and clear blue! Nights have been very pleasant at around 23c or 73f.

  
This is my favorite time of year here in Thailand. With virtually no rain and comfortable temperatures i find myself taking far more bike rides somtimes making them into full day trips. Also spend more time enjoying the beaches not so much here in Pattaya but taking a ride down to Bang Sarae or heading off to Koh Larn. Nights are perfect to hang out with friends at outdoor bars and enjoy a few -- not usually quiet -- drinks together.

Bangkok has been averaging around 32c or 87f during the day and 25c or 75f at night. Chaing Mai has been very mild at night around 18c or 65f and warming up nicely to around 32c or 88f. Phuket and Koh Samui have also been sunny and mild


Good news is this weather is supposed to stick around a while. With a rainy season that lasted well into December, Thailands old man winter took a little longer to arrive and according to this article i read it looks like the cold season should last until the end of February with a possible exception for the south of Thailand where temps in Koh Samui, Krabi and Phuket may warm up a bit earlier.

If you ever wanted to get an idea of how big of an area Pattaya covers you should check out his video i found on You Tube taken from a Cessna 172 Sightseeing tour