TRAT, THAILAND – A routine ferry transfer from Koh Kood to the mainland turned into a race against time when a tourist boat began sinking in rough seas, but all 97 people on board were rescued.
Ferry from island paradise hit by brutal waves
The tourist ferry “Seudam Pink” had departed Ao Salad Pier for the Thai mainland when it suddenly began taking on large amounts of water off Koh Kood. Powerful gusts and towering waves reportedly tore a hole in the hull, sending water into the passenger cabin and causing panic as the vessel continued to sink.
Crew members immediately dropped anchor, sent a distress call and handed out life jackets to the 92 passengers and 5 crew.
“We knew right away: if we didn’t get help quickly, things would get tight,”
said a crew member, according to the operator Wipa.
Navy and local boats mount large-scale rescue
The emergency alert reached the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (Thai-MECC) within minutes. Several navy units, including the patrol ship H.T.M.S. Thepha, headed to the scene about 10 nautical miles off Laem Sok.
Private operators such as Koh Kood Express and local fishing boats also joined the response. In a coordinated operation, all passengers were transferred safely to rescue vessels, and no injuries were reported.
Battle to save the damaged vessel
While the tourists were already in safety, the mission remained risky for the Royal Thai Navy. Two crew members stayed on board with naval officers to pump water from the hull and stabilize the leak as best they could.
“It was a race against the water pouring in,”
said Capt. Nawin Silapawittayakon, from Thai-MECC. The work continued until the situation was under control and the maritime route could be reopened.
Tourism confidence remains high
Despite the scare, Koh Kood in eastern Thailand near the Cambodian border continued to be marketed as a tranquil island with untouched beaches and colorful coral reefs. According to Pitchaya Thachai-aditsap, president of the Hotel and Resort Association of Trat, the incident had no impact on the tourism boom.
“Demand remains strong – we are at 80 to 90 percent booking levels for the winter season,”
said Pitchaya.
Visitor numbers surge despite risks
The region expected around 500,000 visitors in 2025, an increase of up to 20 percent compared with the previous year. Revenue was projected to exceed 1.2 billion baht, which Pitchaya attributed to the area’s natural beauty and “ongoing investments in faster and safer ferries.”
The incident underlined that the sea remained unpredictable despite modern technology. That all 97 people on board survived was credited to the courageous efforts of the Thai Navy – and a measure of luck.