KRABI, Thailand – A serious boat crash in the Andaman Sea has killed one tourist and injured 22 others after a crowded speedboat hit a fishing trawler near Koh Khai and Koh Phi Phi on Sunday morning. The collision happened at about 8:55 a.m. and has again raised concerns about safety on Thailand’s busy marine tourism routes.
The speedboat, named Korawich Marine 888, was carrying 52 passengers and three crew members, making 55 people in total. Many on board were foreign tourists, including a large group of Russian speakers.
The boat struck the fishing trawler Pichai Samut 1 in waters between Phuket and Krabi, close to Koh Gai (also called Koh Kai). The impact tore away the speedboat’s bow, causing it to capsize and sink quickly.
People were thrown into the sea as the boat went over. Witnesses described passengers holding on to floating wreckage and each other while they waited for help. Rescue teams, nearby boats, and emergency crews reached the scene fast and pulled everyone from the water, but not everyone survived.
One death confirmed, dozens treated for injuries
An 18-year-old Russian woman, named Elizaveta Starykh (also reported as Elizaveta S.), died from her injuries. Medics tried to revive her at the scene, but she was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Officials said 22 people were injured, including 19 foreign tourists and the three Thai crew members. One person was first listed in critical condition and was transferred to Phi Phi Hospital. Others were treated by paramedics before being sent to hospitals in Phuket for further care.
The trawler did not appear to suffer major damage, while the speedboat was badly wrecked. Authorities reported no oil spill or signs of environmental harm.
The Krabi Provincial Public Relations Office and Phuket’s Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office have started an investigation. Early checks are expected to look at speed, visibility, how both vessels were operated, and whether any mistakes were made.
Ongoing safety worries
The crash adds to a long list of boat incidents in southern Thailand, especially on routes around Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands. During the peak winter season, the Andaman coast becomes one of the country’s busiest tourist areas, with speedboats running constant trips to famous spots such as Maya Bay and Viking Cave.
Thailand’s marine tourism industry has faced repeated criticism after several deadly accidents over the years, with speedboats often involved. The best-known disaster was in 2018, when the Phoenix boat capsized off Phuket.
Forty-seven people died, most of them Chinese tourists, after the vessel went out despite severe weather warnings. Other incidents have included speedboats overturning in rough seas, boats striking rocks or other vessels, and fires at sea.
More recently, in late 2025, reports of a tourist boat suffering a hull rupture near Koh Kut and a speedboat running aground near Maiton Island added to fresh concerns. Earlier cases, such as a 2016 capsize off Koh Samui that killed three foreign tourists and left one person missing, and other Phuket-area crashes linked to overloading or risky driving, have kept pressure on officials.
Critics often point to poor enforcement of safety rules. Common complaints include overcrowding, passengers not wearing life jackets, untrained operators, and boats ignoring weather warnings. Speedboats are popular because they are quick, but they can be unstable in choppy water, and that has been a factor in past deaths.
Calls for tougher enforcement
After previous disasters, especially the 2018 Phuket tragedy, the Thai government brought in tighter safety measures. These measures include stronger boat checks, random drug and alcohol tests for operators, life jacket rules, and requirements for better safety and navigation equipment. Agencies, including the Ministry of Transport, the Marine Department, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre, have also worked on closer coordination.
Officials have highlighted quick-response plans, patrol boats, and monitoring in busy areas. Tourists are advised to book with trusted operators, follow crew instructions, and report problems using the Marine Department hotline 1111 or the Tourist Police on 1155.
Even with these measures, accidents still happen. That has led to renewed calls for stricter checks, firm limits on passenger numbers, and stronger penalties when operators break the rules. Authorities say they remain focused on visitor safety as tourism continues to recover.
As investigators work through the details of Sunday’s collision, the death of the young Russian tourist stands as a stark reminder that island travel carries real risks. Travellers are being urged to choose safety-approved operators and stay alert when out on the water.
