A large crowd of onlookers have witnessed a luxury yacht burn offshore from Had Run beach, Koh Phangan in Thailand’s south.
A speedboat was sent to put out the blaze and pluck the two occupants, captain Captain Bancha Rattanamanee and his engineer Sanon Panchanachao from the sea. No other passengers or injuries were reported. The blaze was extinguished in 20 minutes however damage is extensive.
The yacht is reported to be registered to Umpujh Supaluck, chairwoman Of the Mall Group, Co., Ltd., the company which developed the Blúport Resort Mall in Hua Hin . The boat was reported to be legally licensed.
The captain said he was on his way to Koh Samui from Koh Phangan when the fire broke out. He and his crewman tried to extinguish the blaze but it proved to be beyond their capabilities.
The fire is reported to have broken out of from the engine compartment with damage to the yacht was in the order of 30 million baht.
The crew are helping the Phangan police and harbour department to determine the cause.
