PHUKET: Chinese ambassador Lyu Jian has thanked the Thai government, rescue workers and support teams for their collaborative efforts in the rescue and recovery of Chinese victims of the sinking of two tour boats on July 5.
Forty-seven people died in the tragedy, all of them were on board the tour boat Phoenix and nearly all the victims were Chinese tourists. A boat named Serenita also sank in the same area of the storm-tossed sea on July 5, but all tourists and crew members were rescued safely.
Mr Lyu said on Sunday night that China was thankful to all those who played a role in rescuing the survivors and recovering the bodies of the tourists.
The 11-day search ended on Sunday evening after the final body, pinned underneath the ill-fated Phoenix, was retrieved from the sea floor and taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for post mortem examination and confirmation of identity.
Mr Lyu said the Chinese government had sought cooperation from the Thai government in investigating the sinkings.
Both countries should learn from the tragedy, a lesson that would strengthen cooperation in tourism and build tourist confidence in their safety.
In a message to the victims and their families, Mr Lyu said Chinese authorities and others involved sympathised with them for their loss and would do their best to provide assistance.
One minute’s silence was observed at the event at the Phuket Deep Sea Port on Sunday night, also attended by Phuket provincial governor Noraphat Plodthong.
The Phoenix dive boat capsized in the stormy sea on July 5 with 101 people on board -- 89 tourists, all but two from China, and 12 crew -- when returning to port after a snorkelling trip. The death toll is confirmed at 47.