Local officials use large tubs to deliver royally donated foods and necessities to people affected by flooding in Muang Chanthaburi yesterday.

It was hours before dam officials came to the rescue, passengers said yesterday.The cruiser reportedly set off from the dam site in Tak late on Saturday afternoon with 200 employees of Thai Insurance ING Co for an overnight trip across the reservoir to Doi Tao in Chiang Mai before it developed a power problem at about 7pm.

The tour leader had to make an emergency call with his mobile phone to the iTV channel asking it to contact dam officials for help after the boat crew failed to restore power and get the cruiser moving.

Rescue teams on two boats were sent out amid heavy rain to search for the cruiser. They got the passengers and crew safely ashore around midnight.

Bhumibol Dam director Boon-in Chuenchavalit said he had suspended the service licence of the cruiser pending investigation by the authorities.

"Rescue officials said they saw passengers, many of whom were elderly people and children, frantically waving and shouting for help when they approached the stranded cruiser. The passengers were all helpless and frightened," he said.

Thai Insurance ING executive Apichet Chatupornpitak, the tour leader, said his company had paid the Bangkok-based Eldenwhite Princess Co Ltd to host the boat trip.

"After we left shore to go to the middle of the reservoir, the power went off and passengers became panicked. The crew failed to give us adequate assistance and I had to get help from outside," he said.

Many of the rescued passengers said they planned to file a complaint with police and seek possible legal action against the boat company.

The Nation

Tak