Passenger boats ordered to stop using LNG after explosion

BANGKOK, March 5 (TNA) -- Transport Deputy Minister Omsin Chiwaphruek on Saturday ordered all passenger boats to use diesel instead of natural gas following a passenger boat explosion at a major canal in the Thai capital which injured a total of 70 passengers, three of them seriously. The order was issued after Mr Omsin inspected the scene of the incident while he insisted that he did not order passenger boats to stop services because the suspension would affect many boat passengers in the country. The Harbour Department is assigned to inspect every commuter boat, including installed machinery and parts, said Mr Omsin, adding that the department officials last December inspected every passenger boat offering services along Klong Saen Saeb in Bangkok, the scene of Saturday’s incident, but “nothing unusual” was found. Passenger boats which are offering services along the Chai Phraya River will from now on be inspected while preventive measures would be mapped out to prevent similar incident from reoccurring in future, said Mr Omsin. The incident occurred t about 6.30am when the passenger boat, operated by the company named Krob Krua Khonsong, exploded in Klong Saen Saeb at Wat Thepleela pier. Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen told journalists at the scene of the incident that initial investigation found that majority of the victims suffered injuries from fire and flying wood. Pol Gen Pongsapat said he was informed that the ill-fated boat used LNG which would be difficult to cause a fire. However, it must be investigated whether the cause of the accident was resulted from negligence. While the police investigation is continuing, some 30 passenger boats using the similar engines as the boat which exploded are required to temporarily suspend services, said Pol Gen Pongsapat. Police in upcountry are ordered to coordinate with the Harbour Department to order the same type of boat with a similar engine to stop services until the probe is complete, said Pol Gen Pongsapat. Expressing his sorrow, Chavalit Metayaprapas, the owner of the boat company, told journalists that he would foot the bill for medical expenses of the victims. Mr Chavalit said although the cause of the accident is still unknown, he he had ordered every boat operating under his company to stop using LNG and use diesel instead. (TNA)