TRAT — The Royal Thai Navy and local maritime authorities rescued 92 people from a taking-on-water tourist ferry on Thursday after high waves ruptured the vessel’s hull near the resort island of Koh Kood.
All 92 passengers and crew members aboard the “Seudam Pink” ferry were safely transferred to shore in eastern Trat province by 1:30 p.m. No injuries were reported.
The incident occurred shortly after the ferry, operated by the Seudamgo company, departed Ao Salad Pier on Koh Kood at 10:45 a.m., headed for the mainland. Wipa, the manager of Seudamgo, said the vessel encountered strong winds and heavy swells about 30 minutes into the journey near Koh Kradad. The rough conditions caused a rupture in the boat’s hull, leading to flooding in the passenger cabin.
Recognizing the danger, the captain dropped anchor and alerted the company, which contacted the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC) Region 1. Passengers were issued life jackets while awaiting aid.
The Navy dispatched patrol vessels, including the H.T.M.S. Thepha, to the scene approximately 10 nautical miles from the Laem Sok pier. Private operators, including Koh Kood Express, Chonlathee Speed Boat, and local fishing vessels, also assisted in the evacuation.
Capt. Nawin Silapawittayakon, an operations officer with the Trat Thai-MECC, said naval officers assisted two crew members who remained on board to pump water from the damaged hull and manage maritime traffic until the situation was stabilized.
Executives from Suedamgo Company Limited later issued a statement expressing condolences over the incident, stating: “The incident occurred due to severe weather conditions and unpredictable wind and waves.
The company deeply regrets what happened and sincerely apologizes for the incident. We are now taking urgent action to strengthen safety measures and prevent such incidents from occurring again.” The company also thanked all parties who provided assistance during this incident.
Koh Kood, located near the border with Cambodia, remains a popular destination for its pristine beaches and coral reefs. While there had been earlier concerns regarding diplomatic tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, local officials say the situation has normalized.
Pitchaya Thachai-aditsap, president of the Trat Hotel and Resort Association, said the incident has not dampened tourism demand. Bookings for late 2025 through early 2026 are already at 80-90% capacity.
Pitchaya estimated that Trat province will welcome 500,000 visitors in 2025, generating more than 1.2 billion baht ($37 million) in revenue—a 15% to 20% increase over 2024. He attributed the growth to the island’s natural beauty and the investment by ferry operators in faster, safer vessels.
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