Tour Speedboat Overturns After Collision Near Phi Phi Islands, Leaving Tourist Dead

A Morning Trip Ends In Tragedy

A speedboat accident near Thailand’s famous Phi Phi Islands has shocked tourists and locals alike. A speedboat carrying dozens of visitors collided with a fishing trawler in the Andaman Sea, close to Koh Khai and Koh Phi Phi.

Photo Courtesy of Bangkok Post

The crash happened around 8.55am, during what was meant to be a calm sightseeing trip. The sea quickly filled with people after the boat overturned.

Collision In A Busy Tourist Area

The speedboat was carrying 55 people, including three crew members, tour guides, and mostly foreign tourists. Many of them were Russian nationals. After the collision, the front of the speedboat was badly damaged and the vessel overturned, throwing passengers into the water.

Photo Courtesy of People.com

Two nearby rescue boats arrived shortly after to help pull survivors from the sea and move them to safety.

Panic And Confusion At Sea

Witnesses described a frightening scene as people struggled to stay afloat. Some passengers held onto family members, while others clung to floating parts of the boat.

Photo Courtesy of People.com

Screams could be heard as the speedboat slowly sank. Life jackets helped many survive, but several people were injured during the impact and while escaping the water.

Casualties And Medical Response

A total of 22 people were injured in the accident, including three Thai crew members and 19 foreign tourists. One young Russian woman was in critical condition and later died from her injuries.

All injured passengers were taken ashore at Chalong Pier in Phuket before being rushed to hospitals for treatment. Some were first treated at a local island hospital before transfer to Phuket.

Fishing Vessel And Investigation

The fishing trawler involved, identified as Pichaisamut 1, did not suffer serious damage. Authorities confirmed there was no oil spill or environmental pollution after the crash.

Marine officials have started investigating the cause of the collision, focusing on speed, visibility, and navigation in the busy waterway.

A Busy Route With Heavy Traffic

The waters around the Phi Phi Islands are among the busiest tourist routes in Thailand, especially during peak travel season. Speedboats travel daily between Phuket, Krabi, and nearby islands.

This accident has raised concerns as investigations continue, while tour operators and authorities work to understand exactly how the collision happened during a routine morning journey.