The deputy-director noted that the regulation will even apply to passengers travelling on long-tail boats on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok as well as ones plying routes to the southern Thai peninsula’s offshore islands. He continued by saying that if passengers on any boat are not wearing life-jackets then the skipper will be barred from leaving the pier or port.
Mr Jabjai added that the Harbour Department will be operating stringent checks to ensure the mandate is carried out and any boat operator that does not comply will face penalties. He finished off by saying inspectors would also be checking that vessels did not embark on any sea or rivers trips with above the permitted passenger quota.
The Harbour Department says the only exemptions from the life-jacket law will be passengers on Saensaeb Canal ferries in addition to those on Chao Phraya dinner cruises or the small shuttles that cross the same river. The department says these vessels will be expected to have enough life-jackets or float-pads on board for the maximum number of allowed passengers.
Life jackets to be compulsory on Thai boats
News in Asia
Thailand’s Harbour Department says it is about to revise laws so that boat passengers will have to wear life-jackets at all times when they are aboard. The department’s deputy-director, Nat Jabjai, said three laws are set to be amended and these will make the the wearing of life-jackets compulsory for passengers on both seagoing and river vessels.