Asia-Pacific

2 Chinese tourists die in boat collision in Thailand

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-12-02 19:52

BANGKOK: Two Chinese tourists died as two speed boats collided Wednesday off Thailand's Pattaya coast.

According to the official from the Chinese embassy in Thailand, another nine Chinese tourists were injured when the two speed boats collided at about 12:30 local time.

A Chinese travel agency that organized the trip identified the two victims, who got drowned, as Zheng Honglu, male, 57, and Chen Dingshan, male, 61. ? ?

The official said that the injured Chinese tourists have been taken to local hospital, and the Chinese embassy has sent officials heading to Pattaya.

One of the speed boat was carrying Chinese tourists and another was carrying tourists from South Korea. The accident occurred as the boat named Ta-wat-chai-nam-chok was heading to the Lan Island while the other, named New Friend, was taking tourists back to Pattaya town, Thai News Agency reported.

According to the Nation online, altogether 15 tourists got injured in the accident, with one still missing.

The Chinese victims were under a tour group by Wuhan Spring International Travel Service, Hubei Province, China. Ms. Ao, an staff from the travel agency, told Xinhua that they have not been able to contact the guide of this tour group so far.

Beach resort town Pattaya is located in Thailand's eastern province of Chon-bu-ri.