BANGKOK – A passenger boat crashed into a floating pier at Sathorn Bridge in Bangkok on Thursday afternoon. The heavy impact injured eight people aboard, including foreign tourists who were traveling along the Chao Phraya River.
Rescue teams quickly arrived at the scene to give first aid. Emergency workers then moved all eight victims to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Key Takeaways
- Accident Details: A passenger ferry collided forcefully with the Sathorn Bridge floating pier at around 2:25 PM on Thursday.
- Casualties Confirmed: Eight passengers suffered injuries, with both Thai nationals and foreign visitors among the hurt.
- Current Status: Rescuers took six victims to Samitivej Chinatown Hospital and two to Lerdsin Hospital while police investigate.
Sudden Impact Causes Chaos at Sathorn Pier
The accident took place at approximately 2:25 PM on October 22. According to a report by the traffic radio station JS100, the boat struck the pontoon while trying to dock.
Eyewitnesses stated that the vessel misjudged its timing as it approached the platform. Because of this miscalculation, the boat rammed directly into the landing deck, knocking commuters off their feet.
The force of the sudden collision triggered immediate alarm among passengers on board and commuters waiting on the platform. Many travelers lost their balance and fell against hard metal railings inside the cabin.
According to a primary incident report, emergency responders rushed to stabilize the situation. Paramedics promptly treated cuts, bruises, and head trauma right on the dock.
Medical Response and Hospital Transfers
First responders confirmed that eight people needed hospital care following the collision. Six of the injured passengers were transported directly to Samitivej Chinatown Hospital for specialized treatment.
Meanwhile, ambulance crews transferred the remaining two victims to Lerdsin Hospital located nearby. Medical staff confirmed that several foreign travelers were among those receiving emergency medical evaluations.
Fortunately, hospital officials noted that none of the injuries appeared immediately life-threatening. However, doctors kept several patients under observation to monitor for concussions and soft tissue damage.
Local authorities quickly cordoned off the damaged section of the pier to keep other commuters safe. The Marine Department and river police immediately began inspecting the damaged pontoon and interviewing the boat captain.
Marine Officials Launch Safety Investigation
River transport officials are now reviewing security camera footage to determine why the vessel approached the pier too fast. They are examining whether mechanical failure, strong river currents, or human error caused the crash.
Investigators also plan to conduct mandatory sobriety and drug tests on the vessel crew. Marine safety officers will inspect the boat’s steering mechanism and throttle systems to rule out sudden engine lockups.
Sathorn Pier is one of the busiest water transit hubs in Bangkok, connecting river ferries with the BTS Skytrain system. Therefore, safety regulators emphasized that passenger safety guidelines must be strictly followed by all ferry operators.
