Authorities have stepped up safety measures for tourist boats after the ill-fated ship, Phoenix, sank off Phuket on July 5, killing 47 passengers.
Phuket governor Noraphat Plodthong said checks will be imposed to examine boats, their captains and all passengers before trips.
The checks will be carried out by officials from City Hall, the 3rd Region Navy Base, the Marine Department and the provincial tourism and sport office.
The governor said all passengers will have their names listed and be photographed before setting sail.
A rescue centre has also been established at Chalong Pier in Muang district, he said. Three boats will be on standby at the centre around the clock.
The centre can also issue weather alerts to boats, radio stations and media outlets, the governor said, adding that diving gear will also be kept at the centre if needed for a rescue.
Mr Noraphat said the Phuket Provincial Office of Tourism and Sport was instructed to check boat equipment, including life vests, to ensure they are enough for passengers.
Tour operators, he said, will be required to explain to passengers how to use safety equipment before boats put to sea. Provincial authorities are producing safety pamphlets in five languages to be handed to passengers.
Mr Noraphat was speaking after more than 20 journalists, including some from China, turned up at Chalong Pier yesterday to follow up on an official pledge to boost safety on tourist boats.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the prime minister told local officials to pay heed to lessons learnt from the tragedy.
Officials must enforce the rules with regard to boat safety, he said, citing the premier.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday stressed any official found to have caused the tragedy through negligence would be punished.
"Bad things must be fixed," he said.
Meanwhile, a man's body was found floating off Mittraphap beach in tambon Rawai of Phuket's Muang district yesterday afternoon.
He was identified as Amnaj Prom-aim, a 62-year-old Thai who was reportedly swept away by waves while fishing at Sam Ao beach in tambon Karon on Monday morning.