A Thai woman tourist died on the spot, while five other Thai tourists were trapped in the rubble when a two-storey building in Koh Chang island’s Siam Beach Resort collapsed on Saturday, reported Thai media.
Kotchakorn Thammachak, 37, reportedly died while she was sleeping in her room.
It is believed the building, which is located on Lonely Beach, fell during a landslide caused by a heavy downpour, according to officials.
Aerial photo of the hotel block that collapsed today on Koh Chang pic.twitter.com/UclVlhPbjx
— Ian (@iamKohChang) June 4, 2016
All the five Thai tourists including a child believed to be 2 or 3 years old, who were trapped, were rescued. They were wounded but had no serious injuries.
According to The Bangkok Post, Trat provincial governor said the collapsed building was built on top of a waterway and the soil beneath the building eroded had during the heavy downpour, causing the collapse.
Koh Chang district chief Kamthon Wehon said the rescued were sent to Koh Chang Hospital on the island and Trat Hospital on the mainland, reported The Nation. Two Chinese tourists also stayed in the same building.
Kamthon said officials suspected the building collapsed during a landslide, adding that the heavy rain could have imposed stress on the building structure. But the officials also suspected the building might have been badly constructed.
Siam Beach collapsing #kohchang pic.twitter.com/vIkwtmheqf
— explorekohchang (@explorekohchang) June 4, 2016
He said the authorities and the hotel would compensate all the victims, but the amount had yet to be ascertained.
They may also take legal action against the hotel, if the authorities find that the collapse was caused by negligence of the owner, reported The Nation.
chenj@sph.com.sg
