On 23 November, a group of tourists on their way from Koh Tao to Koh Samui in Thailand watched helplessly as their suitcases were swept away by the waves. Australian tourist Alice Zamparelli captured the scene and posted it on TikTok, and the video went viral.
It is alleged that the luggage fell from the upper deck into the sea due to the ferry’s bad weather and carelessness. Most of the victims in this incident did not even receive fair compensation.
How The Accident Happened
Passengers said that the luggage was not properly secured on the upper deck. Due to the rough sea, the front of the ferry was often submerged. Suddenly, a strong wave caused the suitcases to fall from the deck and disappear into the sea one by one.
Although the ferry stopped, most of the luggage could not be recovered. Though a speedboat came and picked up some luggage, many passengers returned empty-handed.
Tourists’ Anger
Alice complained that the crew initially did not want to take it seriously and completely denied the real value of the luggage. She said the staff could not believe that a suitcase could be worth more than 20,000 baht (S$811).
Many passengers said the crew was mocking and indifferent. Others said they had lost their passports and insurance papers, which they could not get back. When asked for compensation, it was clear that they were trying to avoid responsibility.
Compensation Crisis
Alice argued for five hours and got 50,000 baht (S$2028), but many others did not get any money. The compensation process was complicated and tedious, and many said that no one would listen to them.
Passengers who received partial compensation also said that the amount was very small compared to the damage. Due to such inconsistent policies, the whole incident has now become an international discussion about ferry safety. The incident has raised further questions, as there have been long-standing safety concerns on the Koh Tao-Koh Samui route.
Reaction on Social Media
After the video received millions of views, many joked that the dolphins in the ocean may have gotten new clothes now. Some said that the boat did not capsize—that is a relief.
Others commented that if that happened, they would have jumped into the sea and retrieved their bags. Many believe that saving lives comes first—it is better to accept the loss of luggage.
Safety Warning
Locals say that the route is very rough during the rainy season and extra caution is needed. This accident has proven that if proper rules are not followed, the situation can spiral out of control in an instant.
Tourists say that the ferry’s lax security system, along with the weather, is a major weakness. Experts believe that strict rules for securing luggage and training the crew are essential. Otherwise, such incidents may occur again and again.
Watch the video here:
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