Nearly 100 Rescued After Passenger Ferry Leaks Off Thai Tourist Island

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

BANGKOK (Worthy News) – Nearly 100 passengers were rescued off the coast of eastern Thailand after a ferry traveling from a popular tourist island began taking on water due to a hull leak, authorities confirmed Thursday.

The privately run vessel was carrying 97 passengers and 10 crew members on a routine trip from Koh Kood — one of Thailand’s most scenic but less developed islands, popular with backpackers, honeymooners, and luxury travelers — to the mainland city of Trat.

The vessel, operated by Seudamgo, suffered a hull breach that allowed seawater to enter the ship, officials said. The incident reportedly occurred near Kradat Island — around 15 kilometres (about 9 miles) from Koh Kood Pier and roughly 20 kilometres (about 12 miles) from the mainland pier.

Crew members quickly dropped anchor and issued an emergency call as water began entering the vessel, officials said. Other ferry operators, fishing boats, and navy vessels responded, reportedly evacuating all passengers within about an hour.

Thai authorities said there were no injuries, describing the response as swift and well coordinated after the ferry began leaking in rough seas.

SAFETY QUESTIONS EMERGE

The vessel was later pumped out and towed ashore for inspection, officials said, amid questions about maintenance standards for ferries serving Thailand’s growing tourist routes.

Early checks suggested the leak originated from a failure in the vessel’s lower hull, though a full investigation is underway, authorities confirmed.

The incident highlighted the risks faced by thousands of travelers who rely on ferries to access Thailand’s island destinations, particularly during periods of strong winds and shifting weather conditions in the Gulf of Thailand.

Koh Kood, located near the Cambodian maritime border, is Thailand’s fourth-largest island but is far less commercialized than Phuket or Koh Samui. Its isolation means ferries are the only practical mode of transport for tourists and residents.

Maritime safety has been a recurring concern in Thailand following several high-profile accidents. The worst in recent years occurred in July 2018, when a tour boat sank in rough weather off the resort island of Phuket, killing 47 Chinese tourists.

RESCUE ENDED SAFELY

Authorities say they will review the vessel’s maintenance records and may introduce additional checks on private ferry operators serving Koh Kood, Koh Chang, and neighboring islands.

Witnesses told local media that passengers remained calm during the evacuation, though some reported seeing rising water below deck shortly before rescue boats arrived.

Thailand’s navy said it deployed vessels to support the operation and prevent the ferry from drifting, while local fishing crews also assisted in the rescue effort.

Tourism officials emphasized that the quick evacuation likely prevented a major disaster, noting that the ferry began taking on water during a period of higher-than-normal waves.

The Gulf of Thailand, especially around the Trat and Koh Chang archipelago, is known for sudden weather shifts that can challenge smaller or older vessels.

The government said it would monitor ferry operations more closely during peak travel season to ensure tourist safety amid rising visitor numbers.

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