Call for adventure tourism accountability after 2 tourists injured

PHETCHABUN - Phetchabun authorities face calls to review adventure tourism safety rules and compliance after two foreigners were injured in a fall from a cliff while abseiling over the weekend. 

The two tourists, a man and a woman, were seriously injured while abseiling to the bottom of Nam Nao Canyon cliff at Tat Mok Waterfall in Khok Mon subdistrict, Nam Nao district, on Saturday.

Rescue workers reported the man suffered suspected fractures and severe hip and back pain, and the woman reported pain in her legs, hips and back. They were taken to Nam Nao Hospital for treatment. (continues below)

Rescuers help the injured tourists at Tat Mok Waterfall on Saturday. (Photo: Sunthorn Khongworakhom)

The accident sparked criticism from local tourism groups, who demanded accountability from the event organiser and questioned the safety standards in place. 

Wantani Lo-trakool, who has spent nearly a decade developing tourism in Khok Mon, called for a transparent investigation through her Facebook account, warning that the accident could undermine confidence in Nam Nao's tourism industry.

Adventure tourism page “Siamese Explorers” was also caught in the loop, criticized for allegedly organising the activity that left the two tourists injured. The page quickly issued a statement denying any involvement.

The controversy escalated when representatives of the environmental volunteer network in  Nam Nao and Khao Kho submitted a petition to Phetchabun governor Saranyu Meethongkham. They asked him to set up a fact-finding panel and review safety equipment, operator's qualifications, permits and emergency response plans for high-risk tourism activities. (continues below)

Representatives of the environmental volunteer network submit their petition to Phetchabun governor Saranyu Meethongkham. (Photo: Sunthorn Khongworakhom)

Meanwhile, the actual organiser, whose Facebook page is “NPS Bang Ruea Hak", denied attempting to evade responsibility, saying it gave priority to arranging medical care for the injured visitors and cooperating with police.

The organiser said the activity involved six visitors. Four of them abseiled down the 150-metre cliff, two at a time. All four had previous experience and their equipment had been checked. 

According to NPS Bng Ruea Hak, the first pair descended safely, but the second pair fell heavily onto a rock ledge about 10 metres from the bottom of the ravine after descending approximately 130 metres. The pair had reportedly stopped on a small ledge to prepare for the final descent. 

One of the injured climbers was reported to have since been discharged. The other remained in hospital. The organiser pledged full cooperation with authorities; the public awaits further action and accountability.

A previous climb in Nam Nao Canyon at Tat Mok Waterfall. (Photo: Sunthorn Khongworakhom)