Thailand watching weather with plan to salvage tourist boat

PHUKET, Thailand - Thai officials said on Tuesday that they plan to salvage the sunken tourist boat Phoenix before Sunday, if weather conditions are good, while the investigation into the tragedy which happened on July 5 is under way.

Phuket Marine Office Chief Wiwat Chitcherdwong said at a news conference held in the provincial government of Phuket the company that owns the boat has refused to salvage it so the task falls to the marine department.

"All necessary equipment is installed underwater now and we are preparing to salvage the boat before August 12," Wiwat said, adding that the boat will be taken to a pier to be checked by authorities.