Piers checked before high season in Phangnga

PHANG-NGA, Oct 12 (TNA) - Officials of the Marine Department are seriously checking the safety standards of local piers before the reopening of Surin and Similan islands in this high season. Nachapong Pranit, marine chief of Phangnga, led subordinates to check the pier of Wow Andaman Co in Ban Thab Lamu village of Lam Kaen sub-district in Tai Muang district. The pier normally serves local and foreign tourists visiting Surin and Similan islands. The inspection was aimed at ensuring safe piers for tourists before the upcoming high season for the sake of tourists’ safety and confidence, he said. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will open the islands on Oct 15. Mr Nachapong said the Marine Department would send its engineers to check piers in Phangnga, Phuket and Krabi provinces and train boat attendants and owners, tour guide operators and tour guides on safety precautions based on past marine accidents. The training focused on effective responses to untoward incidents. (TNA)