Phuket Boat Blunder: One Dead, 53 Missing
On July 6, 2018, the calm waters around Phuket turned into an impromptu stage for a maritime mishap. The “Phoenix” ferry, carrying roughly 90 travelers—including the bulk of Chinese tourists on their Thai holiday—capsized off the coast after a ruthless storm sent towering waves crashing in.
The Night’s Chaos
Captain Somjing Boontham, a seasoned Thai skipper, recounted how the boat was making its return from Koh Racha when, at about 4 p.m. local time, the sea decided it was time for a splash‑in of the century.
- Waves hit the vessel at 5 meters high, flooding it.
- The ferry began to tilt back on itself—a lopsided dance that would have no fans.
- Heroic measures were quickly taken: life jackets were issued and inflatable rafts were unfurled.
- Despite the efforts, one passenger was tragically lost, with his body later recovered near one of Phuket’s outlying islands.
Meanwhile, the remaining 53 people—almost all Chinese, with a splash of Western travelers—went missing amid the water’s fury.
Rescue Disruptions and Social Media Waves
The governor of Southern Phuket, Noraphat Plodthong, announced as authorities paused overnight. “We stopped the rescue for tonight,” he said. “We’ll get it rolling again in the morning.”
Local TV caught the moment: puzzled passengers bundled in blankets, a sea of tears, and medics hustling the wounded. The video, posted on Phuket’s Facebook page, made some headlines and a few chuckles, highlighting how even in crisis, human empathy can shine through.
Other Capsizes in the Same Night
Not just the Phoenix was having a rough time. Another vessel, the yacht Senerita, also tipped over with 39 on board. Thankfully, every passenger was pulled to safety, though the seas didn’t imagine a “warm welcome” for them.
Phuket’s Weather Warnings and the Broader Kahoot of Safety
Governor Plodthong recalled that a weather alert issued on Wednesday had warned of high winds. Even so, the storm had even more on its agenda: several pleasure boats found themselves stranded, and rescue units from the police and navy sprang into action, dragging at least 10 more vessels out of the watery nightmare.
All told, this incident underscored Thailand’s mixed record on safety. While the nation is a global hotspot for tourists—owing to its vibrant culture and sunlit beaches—accidents on roads and waterways remain an all-too-common reality.
With a recent high‑profile rescue of a group of boys and their coach from a northern cave, the country’s problem of putting emergency response at the forefront of its tourist experience is all too vivid.
In the end, the Phuket storm reminded everyone that no amount of swagger on the water can outmatch Mother Nature’s formidable mood swings—so always pack a life jacket and bring a good sense of humor.
