The Thai government works to improve tour boat safety in Phuket after tour boat incidents left many tourists injured, missing or dead.

The early-July incident left as many as 50 Chinese tourists dead, injured or missing, according to Channel NewsAsia. The ferry, Phoenix, carried 105 people when disaster struck. The accident likely impacted the number of Chinese tourists expected to travel to Thailand and, as a result, the Thai government works to improve safety measurements for all tourists in the future.

The joint effort includes the Phuket branch of the Internal Security Operations Command. The ISOC sets guidelines for the continual improvement of the tourism sector in general, and the ferry tour sector specifically, Tourism Authority of Thailand said. The guidelines will work to protect and grow Thailand’s tourism industry.

Following a meeting to improve safety regulations, an audit was conducted of each of the 24 major piers on the island. As a result, every pier must install a closed-circuit television camera, post clear directions for safety, inspect all boats regularly and each pier must have staff from a regulatory board inspect vessels before departure.

In addition to safety measures on the watercraft, passengers must be checked for identifying records detailing their image, name, nationality and place of residence during the stay.

TAT explained all of the regulations together will help avoid future disasters like the one in early July.

When is the last time you travelled to Thailand or, more specifically, Phuket? Has the disaster deterred you from visiting? Do these regulations entice you to visit? Tell us. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.