PHUKET, THAILAND – A parasailing line snapped off a beach in the island’s northwest, sending two men into the sea but leaving them reportedly uninjured.
Incident at Kamala Beach
The accident occurred at Kamala Beach in the northwest of Phuket. A tourist and an employee of the parasailing operator were at the start of their flight when the tow line between the speedboat and the parachute failed.
Witnesses said the parachute was still at low altitude when the line broke, so both men landed in the sea. Rescue workers and company staff quickly brought them back to shore, and those involved said no medical treatment was required.
No Police Statement Released
Local police had not issued an official statement on the incident. It was not yet known whether the tourist concerned would pursue legal action against the operator.
A video of the incident, filmed by a female witness, spread on social networks and drew public attention to the case. The footage triggered online debates about existing safety standards for such activities.
Criticism of Maintenance Standards
Social media users called for stricter inspections of the equipment used after the incident. Several comments criticised operators for allegedly failing to reinvest enough of their income in maintenance and replacement of materials.
Experts pointed out that ropes, harnesses and fastenings used in parasailing must undergo regular stress tests. Whether the operator involved complied with the prescribed inspection intervals was under official review.
Previous Accidents in Phuket
Phuket’s beach tourism had repeatedly faced accidents related to water sports activities in the past. The previous year, an employee at another beach was killed, and another foreigner was injured in a collision with a jetski.
Authorities had announced tighter checks after those earlier incidents. However, it was not conclusively documented whether, and to what extent, these measures had actually been implemented.
Regulatory Framework and Oversight
Parasailing businesses in Thailand were subject to regulations issued by the relevant provincial authorities. Licensing, insurance obligations and equipment standards were set out in law, but enforcement varied significantly by region and season.
Tourism experts advised holidaymakers to ask specifically about operator licences and up-to-date safety certificates before booking a water sports excursion. Offers with conspicuously low prices often went hand in hand with older or insufficiently tested equipment, they warned.