Blast on tourist speedboat in Phang Nga kills crew member

BANGKOK (The Nation/Asia News Network): A member of the crew of a speedboat that exploded on Tuesday (April 11) night in Phang Nga province died on Wednesday morning from injuries sustained in the blast, police said.

Panyawut Phothong, 26, and another injured crewmember were rushed to Khao Lak Hospital after being severely injured in the blast on the Kalamung Dee 2 on Tuesday night, but Panyawut died on Wednesday morning, police said.

Another worker, Aroon Chanpaksuan, 25, remains in the hospital, they said.

The vessel was docked at a pier in the province’s Muang district when the explosion occurred at about 9pm on Tuesday.

The blast happened in a toilet at the front of the vessel, police said.

The speed boat, which took tourists on tours of the Similan Islands, was docked at a pier in Thap Lamu village in Lam Kaen tambon when the blast occurred.

The ensuing fire prompted the crews of other boats docked nearby to steer them away.

Rescue officers from Phang Nga Naval Base district joined district and tambon officials to extinguish the fire, said Siwat Rawangkul, chief of Muang district.