Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has apologised for his harsh criticism of Chinese tour operators and blaming them for the deaths of many passengers on the tour boat that sank off the coast of Phuket.
He said the government would do its utmost to help all the tourists affected, mostly Chinese, when the Phoenix capsized and went down in rough seas last Thursday.
Gen Prawit said on Tuesday that if people were upset by his comments, then he wanted to apologise.
The minister was responding to Chinese social media uproar over his blaming Chinese tour operators for not respecting Thai safety laws.
“They are different issues -- wrongdoing and assistance for those affected. If I said something that failed to please people, I want to apologise. In fact, I’ve received a report about the matter. Don’t try to mix the two,’’ Gen Prawit told reporters.
Asked if the Chinese government had criticised him for his harsh remark, Gen Prawit said China had not criticised anyone. Only online posters had bombarded him with criticism.
Gen Prawit earlier said some Chinese run companies through Thai nominees, bringing in Chinese tourists and not heeding warnings that led to the boating disaster off the coast of Phuket.
The Phoenix went down in high seas on Thursday off the west-coast island of Phuket with 101 people on board-- 89 tourists, all but two of them from China, and 12 crew -- when returning to port after snorkelling at a small island.
The death toll, which is likely to surpass 50, makes it the worst tourism-related disaster in Thailand in years and underscores long-standing concerns about safety.
A committee has been set up to investigate those responsible, Gen Prawit said, adding that he profoundly regretted what happened.
He had ordered the navy and marine police to help with both the dead and the injured tourists. Police would take action against those involved, the deputy prime minister said.