Thai PM lauds southern Thai villagers for rescuing foreign tourists

BANGKOK, May 26 (TNA) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha praises villagers of Libong Island in Trang Province in the Thai Far South for rescuing Spanish tourists whose yacht was hit by a strong storm and submerged rocks. Government Spokesman Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd told journalists on May 25 that the prime minister expressed his appreciation to the Libong villagers, who had carried out the good deeds without wishing for anything in return. The spokesman quoted the prime minister as saying that the people of Trang and all Thais are proud of the pure form of goodness taken by the Libong villagers and he believes all Thais possess the same kind of good heart as these local heroes. The spokesman stated that the prime minister also asked agencies concerned in all areas nationwide to provide the best possible assistance and facilitations to foreign visitors to Thailand in case of any unexpected incident, as the goodwill and friendship would be the lasting memory among the visitors. The four Spanish members of a family were traveling on their private yacht from Malaysia's Langkawi Island to Phuket Island in the Thai South on May 21 when they suddenly faced a strong storm and high waves, causing the ship to lose its course and crash into the submerged rocks with a large leak. Witnessing the incident, the Libong villagers helped pull the sinking yacht ashore, provide the Spanish tourists with accommodations, load off their belongings and repair their yacht. Although the ship was blown offshore by the strong wind that night, the Libong villagers, again, helped pull it ashore, heartedly impressing the Spanish visitors. (TNA)