MAE HONG SON — Pai police are investigating a tourism business operator following an incident where an 8-year-old Israeli girl fell from a zip line attraction in Pai District, Mae Hong Son Province, sustaining serious injuries.
Mr. Ran, the child’s father, filed a complaint with Pai Police Station on September 1, the day of the accident. He reported that he had taken his family, including two children, to a tourist attraction near Yunlai, Ban Santichon, Wiang Tai Subdistrict, Pai District. While his daughter was using the zip line, she fell to the ground, suffering a broken leg and fractured hip bone. She was transferred for treatment at a hospital in Chiang Mai Province.
Doctors have successfully performed surgery and she is now out of danger and recovering.
Investigation and Shutdown
On September 3, tourist police and local officials inspected the accident site and found that the operator had already partially dismantled the zip line equipment. Authorities ordered the operator to cease all zip line services and completely remove risky structures within 30 days from September 3 onwards. Follow-up inspections will be conducted when the deadline expires.
The operator announced on the Facebook page of Pha Long Dao Resort & Cafe that zip line services will be permanently closed.
Legal Compliance Review
Authorities are investigating whether the attraction complied with legal requirements. Generally, zip line operators must obtain permits and maintain several documents, including:
- Land use rights documentation with proper title deeds
- Construction plans and building permits for the zip line facility
- Tour guide licenses and insurance coverage as required by tourism law
- Zip line safety standards documentation and regulations
- Customer registration records
- Daily equipment and system inspection logs
- Safety standard certificates for equipment
The investigators will focus on verifying whether the business separated adult and children’s equipment, as children wearing adult-sized gear could slip out due to size differences. Equipment and harnesses must meet standards with proper certification from relevant agencies. Most operators use Petzl brand equipment from France, which meets European and international standards.
The agency that issued permits to this establishment could also face charges if found negligent in their oversight responsibilities.
________
