Meeting attendees are expected to thrash out a code of practice governing the use of boats and buses adapted to run on both liquefied natural gas and diesel. The explosion on Saturday occurred on a commuter ferry plying a route on the Khlong Saen Saep Canal.
Witnesses said there were about 80 people on board as it approached Wat Thep Leela Pier. They said there was an enormous bang which caused passengers to dive into the canal or try and leap over to the pier.
Hospitals in the locality reported they had treated 67 of the passengers. Most had superficial burns, but a few with more serious injuries were kept in over the weekend. Police investigators say the blast was probably caused by gas leaking from the fuel tanks or the engine.
The ferry involved is operated by Family Transport and its director told reporters that company inspectors had still not determined the exact source of the blast. He did note that the company had been using gas vessels for the last eight years without any untoward incidents.
Ferries allow travellers to avoid Bangkok’s legendary traffic jams. 12GO ASIA provides a practical ticketing service for intercity buses and trains in Thailand.
Thai authorities act after Bangkok canal ferry explosion
News in Asia
Authorities in Thailand have banned ferry operators in Bangkok from using gas-powered boats following an explosion on one early on Saturday. Ormsin Chivapruck, the national transport-minister is due to chair a meeting today to formulate better safety measures for passengers using public transport in Bangkok.