TRANG - Praise is being heaped on villagers who rushed to the aid of a Spanish family whose yacht was driven onto rocks and sank off the coast of Koh Libong island in Trang province on Saturday.
Joel Lopez Garcia, his wife and two children were sailing in a second-hand yacht purchased while on Malaysia's Langawi island.
They had it repaired and left for Phuket only to be caught in a fierce storm as they were passing Koh Libong on the morning of May 21, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said on Thursday.
The boat was washed onto submerged rocks and holed, offshore from Moo 5 village, Ms Kobkarn said.
Villagers saw their plight and rushed to the family's assistance, helping bring them and their luggage to safety. They also towed the holed yacht to the shore and patched the hull.
However, the boat was not anchored and powerful waves and currents dragged it offshore again that night and it was badly damaged and sank, Mrs Kobkarn said.
The Koh Libong residents deserved praise for their action in saving the Spanish family, the minister said.
They had also taken good care of them and, with the assistance of local authorities, the family was provided with accommodation and sympathetic suppport.
"The family said they appreciated the Thai people's actions and were greatly impressed by the Koh Libong villagers. Although they lost their yacht, the family plans to continue their vacation in Thailand. They will continue to enjoy the love and friendship of the local people," the tourism and sports minister said.
Mr Lopez said his family would stay on Koh Libong until their scheduled return flight to Spain from Phuket airport on June 7.