Dutch tourists rescued from capcized boat in Thailand; guide killed
Eleven Dutch tourists were rescued Sunday after a boat carrying 18 people capsized in the Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park amid severe weather. A Thai guide, a 44-year-old woman, died in the incident, RTL reported.
According to The Nation, a Thai news outlet, the boat was carrying 16 tourists—11 from the Netherlands and five from Belgium—along with two Thai guides when it overturned due to a sudden gust of strong wind.
The boat capsized shortly before 11:30 a.m. local time on Sunday during rapidly deteriorating weather conditions. Thailand is currently experiencing the effects of Tropical Storm Wipha, which has brought heavy rain and strong winds to the region.
The Thai Meteorological Department had warned of potential flash floods and dangerous storms in the area in the days leading up to the accident.
Cheow Lan Lake is a popular tourist destination, especially among Dutch travelers. Rescue operations were launched immediately after the boat flipped. All 11 Dutch nationals were safely brought to shore. The death of the female Thai guide was confirmed during the rescue effort. There was no immediate information on the condition of the five Belgian tourists or the second Thai guide.
Thai authorities have not yet released further details about the ongoing investigation or the exact sequence of events. Weather warnings remain in effect throughout the country as Tropical Storm Wipha continues to move across land.
