Boat propeller cuts parasailing robe causing accident in Phuket
A Phuket parasailing accident off Kamala Beach in Phuket, on Monday, April 20, was revealed to have been caused by a boat propeller cutting a rope, leading a tourist and an assistant to fall into the sea. The incident…
A boat propeller severed a parasailing rope off Kamala Beach in Phuket on Monday, April 20, causing a tourist and a parasailing assistant to fall into the sea, investigators confirmed. The incident, captured in a TikTok video by a foreign witness, occurred just after take-off and has prompted scrutiny of safety standards for parasailing operations in Phuket.
Investigation and Operator Compliance
Kamala Police, Marine Police, and the Phuket Marine Office determined the rope was cut by the speedboat’s propeller during operation. Officials said the parasailing operator held a valid permit, and all staff had proper documentation.
A drug test administered to the boat driver returned negative, police said. Authorities are questioning parasailing staff to assess if legal action is warranted.
Previous Incidents and Compensation
In February 2024, a Chinese tourist suffered a broken leg in a parasailing accident at Karon Beach and received 400,000 baht in compensation from the operator. The operator attributed that incident to a sudden wind change, not negligence.
Another fatal parasailing accident occurred in January last year, when an assistant died after falling into the sea off Karon Beach. The Phuket Marine Office stated that discussions are ongoing to introduce new measures aimed at preventing similar accidents.
Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-parasailing-accident-probe-finds-rope-cut-by-boat-propeller
