Organization: Central Michigan University
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Wed, 6 Jan 1993 14:51:45 EST
From:         Elliott Parker <3ZLUFUR@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Subject:      TH: Pier sinking saga continues

=======================  Forwarded  Message  ===========================
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 92 23:36:14+0700
From: Kamol Hengkietisak <kamol@ipied.tu.ac.th>
Subject: Bangkok Post Dec 29: Pier sink saga continues


HARBOUR Department Director-General Sathian Wongwichian yesterday
assured that the hotel pier tragedy would not happen again.

He said officials had checked all the piers along the Chao Phraya
River and found that not a single one of them was modified for
other purposes like the one at the Menam Hotel. Most piers are
used by passengers as permitted by the department, he added.

He said piers which were modified as restaurants, godowns, shops
and buildings which jut out over the river would be banned.

Mr Sathian complained that the department lacks the manpower to
carry out thorough inspections to ensure that all piers follow the
regulations laid down by the department.

He explained that his department is responsible for checking if
the piers are up to the required standard or not. The Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration, he said, is in charge of monitoring
the usage of the piers.

While noting that the safety of piers or floating restaurants
depends on the safety awareness of the operators and customers, he
urged operators not to let too many people on board their piers or
their floating restaurants. Customers too should avoid those which
look flimsy and unsafe, he added.

The only penalty against unlicensed or substandard piers is a
2,000 baht fine, said Mr Sathian, adding that his department is
studying how to amend the law to increase safety and levy a higher
penalty.
* * *
EVER since the Menam Hotel pontoon tragedy Saturday night, Kampol
Sukakthanont had remained hopeful he would one day be reunited
with his three-year-old daughter reportedly seen rescued from the
chilly waters.

Each day he visited the pontoon hoping the unidentified rescuers
would return Chiranand back into his embrace.

But his hopes were dashed yesterday morning when police found a
floating body in yellow trousers which has since been identified
as Chiranand.

Choked with emotion, Mr Kampol, an employee of the YHS
International Company, said he was deeply grieved by the premature
death of his daughter.

He said he had picked up Chiranand from his grandmother's home in
Klong Toey and taken her to join the company party at the hotel
pontoon.

"Nong Wao was a cute and talkative kid. She was not yet in
school," said Mr Kampol.

The mother of the victim, Mrs Sunee, who was saved by Mr Kampol,
collapsed after learning of her daughter's death and had to be
rushed to hospital.

Nine people were still missing yesterday, according to Pak Khlong
San police. They are Somkid Chimklod, Charun Kornpanich, Sakda
Yameelamedin, Ms Nam-oi Thapyang, Thaveep Sukpokee, Rangsan
Sriniwatsai, Vutthikij Chaivarakulwong, Sanit Charoensuk and
Niphon Saeng-ngam.

Menam Hotel personnel manager Thanakorn Suwannet said yesterday
the hotel would pay the families of each of the victims 100,000
baht and would also sponsor their funerals.

He refused to comment on the collapse of the pontoon, saying it
should be the job of the police to give the reasons.

He said the hotel would cooperate fully with authorities in
salvaging the collapsed pontoon.

Mrs Pin Chimklod, the mother of Somkid who is still missing, said
yesterday she prayed her son would be found safe.

"He  G not good at swimming," she said. "Normally he sends me
1,000 baht a month."

Mrs Pin said she discovered her son was missing when she went to
his company, Siam Metal, in Samut Sakhon's Krathum Baen District.

She said the company promised to pay full compensation but did not
state how much.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Pol Maj-Gen Thirachai
Riencharoen yesterday instructed Pak Khlong San police to speed up
their investigation into who gave permission for the party on the
pontoon.

He said he also wanted to know why so many people were allowed on
the pontoon without proper control.

He said the hotel would be charged initially with carelessness for
allowing the use of the pontoon for the party. But first police
will wait for a report from the Harbour Department.

Thon Buri Metropolitan Police Commander Maj-Gen Wannarat Kojarak
said yesterday police may charge the Menam Hotel with carelessness
causing death under the Criminal Code.

The Harbour Department can also file separate charges under the
Navigation Act for converting the pontoon into a restaurant.

The hotel had asked the Harbour Department for permission to
install a pontoon in 1987 for use as a boat landing platform.

An investigation will also be conducted into whether the hotel had
inspected the pontoon regularly and the cable used to tie it in
place.

He said the hotel would not be able to deny responsibility for the
tragic event.
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