Despite accidents that sometimes happen when athletes climb rocks at Krabi National Park, officials said yesterday they have not banned the sport at Ao Railay Beach, east of Phuket, as reported by media earlier this week.
Over the weekend, Thai PBS reported the pastime was banned at the destination after three tourists fell from the rock face in a month’s time and were seriously injured.
A national park official, who declined to be named, explained, “We have installed signs warning people to be careful when rock climbing in the park, but we have not banned it at all.”
“The signs have been installed in some areas that are considered most dangerous to climb. People can still climb, but at their own risk,” she added.
The most recent climbing incident at Railay Beach involved a 24-year-old American tourist who was admitted to intensive care on June 27 after falling from a rock during a “free solo” climb.The tourist, Eduardo Keane, from Miami Beach, Florida, was found unconscious with several wounds on his body and face.
HE suffered a skull fracture, multiple injuries, and, ultimately, a coma. He remains in a Thai hospital and a GoFundMe account for him has raised USD66,000 of a needed USD80,000 for medical bills.
Last month, an Australian and an Argentinian also endured non-life-threatening injuries while scaling between Ton Sai and Pai Plong Bays on Krabi.
Story: The Phuket News
