Thread: Siam Park - 13 children injured in water slide accident

SIAM WATER PARK
Sad owner to sell his stake
Chaiwat says he's depressed after 28 kids injured

The president of the Siam Park water amusement complex is so depressed by the latest accident that he is shutting down and selling out.

After 26 years, Siam Park will be closed and sold for Bt5 billion, president, Chaiwat Leungamornphan said.

He said he could not take another accident. Park-goers have been killed and injured in recent incidents.

"My heart is down after learning more people have been injured on a ride at Siam Park. I have been thinking about it all night and I have decided to sell," he said.

There have been two serious accidents at the park in the past three months. In October, one woman was killed and others injured on a ride.

On Saturday, 28 children aged between 10 and 13 were injured when a water slide broke and sent them plummeting two metres to the ground. They were rushed to hospital with head injuries and broken bones.

Chaiwat is meeting today with executives to consider an offer for the park from unnamed buyers.

The 300-rai park is the country's most popular and first water-amusement complex.

As many as 10,000 people a day - or more than two million a year - visit. Yesterday, it was almost empty.

Chaiwat has run the park since it opened. He said it had lost Bt2 billion in that time, and almost Bt4 billion had been spent on maintenance and new rides.

Chaiwat said the park did its best to prevent accidents and had employed foreign engineers and advisers to train staff.

He admitted some staff were "careless" and lacked experience. He blamed this for the accidents.

"I love it, but I have to sell because I cannot take the burden any longer," he said. "This place is like a gift that I never had when I was young. I want children to have fun on the rides. It's an amazing feeling."

Chaiwat said after selling, he would form a charitable foundation to help people.

Bangkok Governor Apriak Kosayodhin has visited victims in hospital. Four remain admitted.

He said the Khan Na Yao district office had asked the park to close the water slide for 15 days so it could be inspected.

District director Teeraboon Manupeerapen said city engineers would look at the collapsed ride and others.

The park will have to ensure all rides are up to standard before the park will be issued another licence.

The government needs to issue a special regulation covering the equipment at amusement parks, he added. Rides are not covered by the Building Control Act of 1979.

Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation