A fire that broke out early Wednesday morning, 7 January at Chalong Pier in Phuket has left more than 20 speedboats destroyed, causing heavy losses for local tour operators. Authorities have confirmed there were no injuries, and environmental checks are now underway.
Early-Morning Fire at a Busy Tourist Pier
The incident happened at around 4:00 am on Wednesday at Chalong Pier in Muang district. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion before flames rapidly spread from one speedboat to nearby vessels. Strong winds and high tide made the fire difficult to control.
Emergency teams from four municipalities responded quickly, cutting mooring lines and separating boats to stop the fire from spreading further into Chalong Bay.
Boats Were Ready for Tourists
Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthithaworn said 22 speedboats owned by 13 operators were destroyed. All had been fully refuelled and prepared for tourist trips later that morning.
The total damage is estimated at more than 38 million baht. Officials noted that the quick response prevented the fire from reaching over 1,000 other tourist boats anchored nearby, which could have led to a much larger disaster.
Environmental Safety Remains a Priority
Once the fire was under control, authorities ordered the damaged vessels to be removed from the water to reduce environmental risks. Foam was deployed to contain oil, and cleanup crews worked to collect debris, ash, and fuel residue.
All damaged boats have since been moved onto the shore to improve safety for marine traffic and nearby communities.
Water Quality Meets Standards, Public Urged to Stay Out
The Pollution Control Department has confirmed that seawater quality in Chalong Bay meets national recreational standards following inspections conducted after the fire. Tests showed acceptable levels of pH, dissolved oxygen, and total dissolved solids.
Despite this, authorities are advising residents and visitors to avoid swimming in the affected area for now due to lingering debris and small oil traces. Local administrations have been asked to issue public notices until conditions fully stabilise.
Situation Under Control as Monitoring Continues
Cleanup operations were completed within 24 hours, and environmental officials continue to monitor the area. Tourism operators and authorities are now reviewing safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For now, officials say the situation is under control, with safety and environmental protection remaining the main focus.
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