Ayutthaya: Marine officials believe overcrowding caused a boat with more than 150 passengers to sink resulting in the deaths of at least 13 people.
Thirteen people were confirmed drowned and 39 others were injured after the boat loaded with Muslim tourists sank in the Chao Phraya River.
The wooden boat hit a river embankment at Wat Sanam Chai in Ayutthaya's Muang district yesterday afternoon.
Sombat Mongkolchai Tabtim, the two-level tourist boat, was 27 metres long and, according to Marine Department authorities, was registered in 1967 with a maximum passenger load of 50.
A group of Thai Muslims from Talat Kwan community in Nonthaburi was on board the boat on the Chao Phraya River to attend an annual religious ceremony at a local mosque in Ayutthaya before the accident occurred during their journey back.
At 4.10pm, Kris Thianmitraphap, secretary to the Ayutthaya mayor, ordered rescue boats and fire boats to rescue passengers who were on board the stricken boat.
Rescue workers struggled to get the passengers, all of whom are Thai Muslims, to safety.
Deputy Ayutthaya governor Rewat Prasong, said it was believed more than 150 passengers were on board the boat when the accident occurred at 3.15pm.
The dead victims are six women, six men, and a boy, he said, adding that rescue workers were struggling to find other missing passengers.
The Marine Department brought a large ship to bring the sunken tourist boat back to the surface.
The lower level of the boat was about two metres below the river surface; the upper level was partially protruding, Mr Rewat said.
Mr Rewat said river currents in front of Wat Sanam Chai are usually strong. The tourist boat tried to avoid another boat on the river, causing it to veer away and hit an embankment at the temple.
Alarmed, more than 100 passengers suddenly stood up, causing the boat to lean to one side and sink, Mr Rewat said.
Marine Department director-general Sorasak Saensombat also said the strong river currents were partially to blame for the accident. The steerman was unable to control the boat, causing it to hit the embankment. Authorities believed some passengers were trapped stuck in the lower level of the boat, he said.
Mr Sorasak also said safety equipment on the boat may not be sufficient for the passengers.
The steerman identified as Wirat Chaisirikul, 68, is still missing, he added.
Annop Kudiphan, 50, who was among the passengers on board, said an annual religious ceremony was held yesterday to pay homage to Muslim religious teachers.
Passengers on board the boat were on their way to attend an annual religious event at Takia Yokin mosque in tambon Khlong Takhian in Ayutthya's Muang district.
On the journey back to Nonthaburi, Mr Annop said the boat dropped off passengers at various piers.
While the boat was heading to a pier at the Ayutthaya Hospital, another vessel sped from the other direction, forcing the tourist boat's steerman to veer away and hit a concrete pole of the river embankment at Wat Sanamchai, causing the boat to begin to sink, Mr Annop said.
Local residents also said a similar boat accident also occurred about five to six years ago because of overcrowding.
Relatives of victims who travelled in a boat that sank in a section of the Chao Phraya river near Wat Sanam Chai in Atyuttha keep their hope alive for the survival of their loved ones. Chanat Katanyu