I just came across a rather shocking video (embedded below) of passengers on a ferry in Thailand watching helplessly as their luggage fell into the ocean. It turns out it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been.
According to another video and angle from the incident, it happened on a ferry from Koh Tao to Koh Samui. @ilove_thailand66 posted that these ferries are usually safe but the trip can feel pretty scary when the weather turns rough. @hoodrich_toddler commented, I’m on the ferry right now and can’t believe I’m watching this video and living it at the same time 😅. Worst boat ride I’ve ever experienced, never sailing again in this weather.
According to Travel And Tour World, “the luggage was left unsecured on the upper deck of the ferry. When the waves began to pick up, the lack of restraints allowed the bags to slide off and into the sea.” Eyewitnesses also reported that “the crew did not take adequate precautions when the weather conditions began to worsen. One traveller described the crew as “incompetent,” suggesting that the staff were unprepared for rough seas and failed to take even basic safety measures such as securing the luggage or moving it indoors.”
An Australian tourist commented and said she was able to get some compensation for the loss of her luggage — 50,000 baht (around $1,500) but only after hours of arguing with the ferry company. “She stated that the amount was far less than the actual value of the items lost including a camera, travel documents and several expensive personal items.”
@ilove_thailand66 offered some good advice on their post: “The open water between the islands can get choppy and on stormy or windy days the ride can genuinely become risky. If you stick with a reliable operator, keep an eye on the weather and avoid smaller speedboats when the waves are high, the journey is much more comfortable and safer.”
My advice is to always check the weather and always carry all of your valuables in your carryon with you. Keep only your clothes and shoes in your checked luggage and place them in a plastic bag before putting them in your suitcase. I (usually) do this to protect them from the rain but after seeing these videos it might protect them from falling in the water (if it doesn’t sink).
As you can imagine, social media had comments and some of them were funny while others more practical:
@ansh_hillman: Thaitanic
@soniccomedy: On the bright side, the dolphins have a whole new wardrobe now.
@veilsandnails: Listen, the boat didn’t capsize. It’s a win.
@juz_smile: I was upset for them until they said the Captain avoided capsizing. Better that luggage than us in the ocean!
@destineynotdestiny: I would’ve jumped off the boat and got my luggage back
@sarahrattle: Mine would have sunk 😂
@arban5583: All things considered, not all that bad.
@marissa.nemechek: Woof that would ruin my vacation.
I’ve been to Thailand numerous times and only once have I had a scary experience. We were in a longboat traveling to a beautiful remote island for a day trip. The weather wasn’t great and I regretted getting on the boat once we were in the choppy seas. The experience however, taught me a valuable lesson. Listen to your instincts and don’t travel if you think it’s not safe.
My big problem with tour and ferry operators around the world is that they don’t want to cancel trips because they will lose out on earning money. Sometimes it’s not the people piloting but their bosses who basically demand they take the chance.
Now that I have kids, I’m especially careful because I know just one bad experience for them could change their minds on traveling. I would rather wait a day or three until the weather cleared up or not go than risk having an experience like this.