Two Chinese tourists were killed in Thailand on Wednesday when a pair of speedboats smashed into each other, police said, the second fatal boating accident involving tourists in less than two weeks.
Tourism is a key source of revenue for Thailand, but accidents involving travellers are common in a country where safety regulations are often weakly enforced.
Investigators said three other Chinese nationals were in critical condition following the collision near Koh Phi Phi island, one of southern Thailand’s most popular beach destinations.
One boat was carrying 36 Chinese tourists including two children, while the other had 26 passengers of whom 22 were Chinese tourists.
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“Two Chinese tourists died, one man and one woman, while 20 sustained injuries, three of whom are in critical condition,” said Lieutenant Prasert Srikhunrat, deputy commander of Phuket Marine Police.