Phuket bungee death-jump owner ‘likely’ to be prosecuted

The owner of a Phuket bungee-jump attraction where a Kuwaiti tourist died is likely to be charged with negligence resulting in death, police said.

Weenas Janwibolkul, owner of World Bungee Jump, has been summoned along with the staff member who strapped the tourist in to ankle straps that failed to the Patong Police Station today to learn of the charges they will face for the death of Abdullah Adel Kadhbahman, 25.

“The police have not yet informed them of any charges, but it is likely to be under section 291 of the Criminal Code,” police Maj. Theerasak Boonsaeng told the Phuket News.

Section 291 relates to negligence causing someone to die and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a quite affordable THB20,000 fine.

“We are still waiting for documents from Patong municipality to confirm whether World Bungee Jump holds a permit for the site construction and the equipment construction, so further charges could be added,” he said.

Meanwhile, forensic police are still investigating the incident and looking for the actual cause of the tourist’s death.

Governor, Nisit Jansomwong, has ordered that World Bungee Jump remain closed until the site owner has a licence, and that the island̕s other bungee jumps be investigated by a team from the Phuket Public Works department.

“I have ordered that the place remain closed as it doesn̕t have a licence. However, it is possible that the site can open again once it reaches the required standard [about equipment, staff, safety measures and regulations] to get a license.”

“Other bungee jumps around Phuket will be investigated by a team from the provincial Public Works department to ensure they meet the necessary standards and have a licence,” he said.

Story: The Phuket News



Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply


BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on