What was supposed to be a fun-filled event ended in tragedy on Sunday when a tourist boat carrying Muslim pilgrims capsized in the Chao Phraya River, claiming numerous lives.
The double-deck boat which carried around 150 passengers -- all Muslims who joined a ceremony at a mosque in Ayutthaya -- sunk after it hit a concrete pole in front of the Sanam Chai temple in Ayutthaya's Muang district on its return trip. Rescue workers frantically searched for victims, 13 bodies were recovered from the water, with some 30 others injured and several missing.
The death toll had risen to 20 early Tuesday, with 12 or more passengers missing.
As an investigation is under way, one thing is clear: the boat. which was registered under the nameSombat Mongkolchai Tabtim, was overcrowded. The number of passengers on board heavily exceeded the boat's maximum capacity of 50, according to eye-witnesses and survivors. It is also clear that safety equipment on the boat was insufficient. Most, if not all, passengers did not put on life jackets which may have helped save many lives.
Needless to say, the mishap has further bruised our public safety record. A well-informed source told the media that this was not the first sinking to occur on this water route. A boat had already capsized under similar circumstances but it was not reported by the media, apparently because there were no casualties.
Sunday's tragedy prompted Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith to order relevant authorities to conduct safety checks on every boat, as well as conduct a thorough investigation of this case. The minister's order, nothing more than a knee-jerk reaction, is expected. Just about six months ago, a similar order was issued by his deputy, Ormsin Chivapruk, following a passenger boat accident in Bangkok's Saen Saep canal. At that time, the deputy transport minister said he wanted widespread checks of commuter boat safety standards.
If Mr Ormsin's order was strictly observed by authorities at the Marine Department, Sunday's tragedy could have been avoided and many lives would have been saved.
As the case unfolds, we have learned that many regulations were breached. In addition to overcrowding, the boat was allowed to leave the point of origin in Nonthaburi without sufficient safety equipment. The captain had also failed to renew his licence. What the public is eager to know is whether the doomed boat had been illegally modified. How could a vessel registered with a maximum capacity of 50 accommodate 150 passengers, suspected to be the major cause of the accident?
The tragedy can be blamed on negligence, not just for the actions of the boat operator and captain who must be held responsible, but also those required to regulate boat operation for public safety. This tragedy would not have happened -- or would not be allowed to happen -- if authorities had performed their duties.
It is also a fact that there are many other boats, either for tourists or commuters, that navigate the Chao Phraya River with passenger numbers that exceed their maximum capacity. These boats have not been put through thorough inspections in a long time. Unless those responsible take action, another disaster is waiting to happen.
This is a costly lesson. The Marine Department and the Transport Ministry must act now and fulfil public expectation. What the situation calls for is proper preventive measures, not yet another lame explanation.