Thailand sets up investigation into sunken boats

Updated on Sunday evening

Local Thai police said Sunday they have charged two captains with negligence for the capsizing of two boats.

Thailand's police and related departments have officially set up an investigation into the sunken tourist boats off Phuket in southern Thailand, and China will also participate in the investigation, said Lyu Jian, Chinese ambassador to Thailand at noon on Sunday.

Forty-one bodies, among them 13 children, were recovered on Sunday, according to Thailand's tourism minister.

Updated on Sunday morning

At least 42 people were confirmed dead, and 15 remained missing, according to the latest report by the Chinese Embassy in Thailand.

Updated at 19:41 on Saturday

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong told the media on Saturday that eight more bodies were found, raising the death toll to 41 and 15 others remained missing after boats capsized off Phuket in southern Thailand. 

Updated at 17:06 on Saturday

Thai PM offers condolence, orders all-out rescue for tourists in Phuket's boat accidents

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha expressed his "sympathies and deepest condolences" to the families of the dead in the boat accidents in southern Thailand's Phuket that has claimed 38 lives so far on Saturday.

Prayut said at the government house on Saturday that the government will exert all efforts to find those still missing and provide support to all survivors of this tragic event as soon as possible.

The prime minister has ordered to set up a command center for the rescue operation in Phuket. He also ordered organizations involved to conduct full investigation of the cause of the accidents and identify those responsible for the tragedy.

In order to provide the public with clear and accurate information, regular briefing will be held in the command center.

The prime minister urged the public not to circulate photos of the victims to protect their privacy.

Updated at 16:18 on Saturday

At least 38 people were confirmed dead, and 18 remained missing, Thai officials said on Saturday.

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong said the Thai government has set up service counters in Phuket Airport to assist relatives of the victims who are coming Phuket.

For the injured tourists, the Thai government will cover all their medical expense. Relatives of each of the deceased tourist will get some 1.4 million baht (42,200 US dollars) as compensation based on the boat's insurance and Thai laws, he said.

Updated at 14:32 on Saturday

Chinese rescue teams arrive in Phuket to join search for missing tourists: ambassador

Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Lyu Jian said that two Chinese rescue teams have arrived in southern Thai province of Phuket and will join the search for the missing tourists.

China is willing to offer any help for the search and the Chinese teams will work closely with Thai rescue authorities, Lyu said during a press conference on Saturday after a meeting with Thai authorities.

A Chinese government joint working group has arrived in Phuket on Friday night and held the first joint meeting with the Thai side on the day.

Both sides agreed to find the missing tourists as soon as possible, and take care of the injured and help the families of the victims.

Updated at 13:34 on Saturday

Another 5 bodies found in Thailand boat accident, toll rises to 38: Thai authorities

A Thai officer on Saturday told Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Lyu Jian that another five bodies were found after two boats overturned in Thailand's Phuket on Thursday.

The death toll now rose to 38.

Thai authorities said earlier that at least 33 people died and 23 remained missing after two boats carrying many Chinese tourists overturned in rough seas on Thursday.

Updated at 6:00 on Saturday

More than 16 Chinese tourists killed, 21 missing after boats overturn in southern Thailand: Consulate-General

The Chinese Consulate-General in Songkhla told Xinhua late Friday that among the total of 127 Chinese tourists on board two boats capsized in southern Thailand on Thursday, 78 people were rescued, 28 bodies were found and there are still 21 missing.

All 35 tourists on board boat "Serenata" were rescued, 43 among total 93 Chinese tourists on board boat "Phoenix" were rescued, the Consulate-General said.

A total of 28 bodies have been found, with 16 having been identified and 12 still under identification process.

There are still 21 missing and the injured are being treated at local hospitals, according to the Chinese Consulate-General.

The Consulate-General said it had asked Thai authorities to do their best to track those who are still missing and never give up hope of finding survivors. It has also sent a team to follow the advancement of rescue work and visit the injured persons in hospitals.

The Chinese Consulate-General also said that according to Thai media, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan had said the ship owner and the captain should be responsible as they ignored storm warning from Meteorological Department of Thailand.

Xinhua