The marine police on Koh Samui have been ordered to ensure the safety of tourists by making passenger boats observe safety rules and regulations. The local government issued the order after two Chinese tourists were killed and scores of others injured when two speedboats packed with passengers collided off the resort town of Pattaya.

Samui officials said that during this high travel season when thousands of tourists descend on the island, there’s a tendency among agencies to lower their guard. And this could result in a tragedy like what happened in Pattaya.

Reports said two Chinese nationals --  Zheng Songcu, 57, and Chen Ding Shan, 50 -- drowned after their boat capsized in Pattaya on Dec. 2..

They were on board the Thawatchainamchoke 7 which was carrying 29 tourists from China, Taiwan and South Korea.

Tourists who suffered minor injuries were treated in hospital and were all declared safe.

Although all of the passengers were accounted for, divers were deployed to ensure no one was missing.

Police said Thawatchainamchoke 7 was returning to Pattaya from Koh Larn when it ran into another boat, Sor Newfrans ,which was carrying 13 tourists from the Middle East, Britain and Russia.

The drivers of the two boats were charged with recklessness that caused death and injury, police said. -- CA