Two Chinese tourists die in Thai speedboat accident

Two Chinese tourists die in Thai speedboat accident

BANGKOK - Two Chinese men died and three other tourists were injured on Wednesday when their speedboat struck an anchored vessel near the central Thai resort of Pattaya, police said.

The engine of the speedboat carrying ten Chinese tourists hit the anchor rope of the other vessel, killing the two men at the scene, said Arun Prompan commander of tourist police for Chon Buri province.

The accident revived fears over tourist safety in Thailand, which attracted a record 22 million foreign visitors last year.

An American tourist was allegedly stabbed to death in Krabi by three Thai musicians in July after a row during a singalong with a band in a bar.

Earlier in July, an American man was slashed to death by a taxi driver in Bangkok after an apparent argument over the fare.

Meanwhile, China has voiced concern at recent accidents befalling its nationals on snorkelling trips.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand said Chinese tourist arrivals rose by nearly a quarter in the first seven months of this year to 2.7 million.

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