At 12:30 p.m. on January 5, 2025, officers from the Marine Security Center, Royal Thai Navy, Koh Chang, were notified of two consecutive kayak capsizing incidents in the areas of Koh Yao and Koh Suwan.
The first incident occurred at 12:30 p.m., when four Czech tourists were kayaking around Koh Yuak, Koh Chang Subdistrict, Koh Chang District, Trat Province. However, while they were kayaking, strong waves and winds hit and capsized the kayak. During that time, someone saw them and notified the Koh Chang Naval Maritime Security Center (Koh Chang SSC) and sent officers from the Koh Chang SSC to take a boat out to help. All four were safely rescued, with one of the four having minor injuries. Officers from the Koh Chang Naval Maritime Security Center rushed to the shore to provide first aid until they were safe.
However, while transporting the victims, the rescue team found two more Russian tourists paddling a kayak to avoid the waves and wind to Koh Suwan. Since they could not withstand the waves and wind, they went to help bring them back to shore at 2:30 p.m.
All six tourists are safe. The Czech tourist was taken back to the tourist boat, while the Russian tourist was taken back to shore at the Barali Hotel, Koh Chang Subdistrict, Koh Chang District, Trat Province.
The initial cause is believed to be strong wind and waves, which caused tourists who were kayaking to travel, who were unfamiliar with the area and did not know that there were waves and wind at this time, to be swept away by the waves. The Royal Thai Navy’s Maritime Safety Center (Koh Chang) would like to warn tourists to check the weather conditions before traveling, and if they go out to sea, they should wear life jackets and strictly follow safety measures.
