The edict prevented boats from transporting daytrippers and tourists from sailing back to Phuket from Koh Racha. The island is to the south of Phuket and only a 40-minute trip by speedboat on a nice day.
Weather forecasters say 90 per cent rain coverage around the Phang Nga Bay and Phuket area is likely to last until Monday. Wind speeds of more than 30kph and three to four metre high waves are also predicted.
Inclement weather and warnings of worse to come caused Phuripat Theerakulpisut, the head of Marine Office 5, to ban boats under nine metres long from sailing on Monday. He says extending the ban to larger vessels is an indication conditions are worsening.
The ban has the full support of Phuket’s provincial administration and governor Nisit Jansomwong stated that the measure was designed to help keep tourists safe. At Koh Racha’s Raya Resort, its duty manager said the facility had an extra 60 guests last night, but noted that the authorities needed to have a contingency plan to assist tourists stranded in storms.
He also commented that the number of marooned tourists would probably increase today as tourists were due to check out of the four holiday resorts here at midday. Vice-admiral Saiyan Prasongsomret said last night that Royal Thai Navy vessels were in the vicinity but could not get to Koh Racha to help out just yet.
Small boat ban leaves tourists marooned on Andaman island
News in Asia
A ban on small boats putting to sea in southern Thailand’s Andaman Sea region has left 150 tourists marooned on Koh Racha Island. Severe storms and high waves caused the local Marine Office to put a blanket ban on any craft under 24 metres in length from leaving port yesterday.