The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has recommended suspending all services operated by Family Transport (2002) Co Ltd after the engine of one of its canal commuter boats exploded, injuring at least 60 people on Saturday morning.
The suspension, if approved by the Transport Ministry, would remain in place until police determine the cause of the accident, said Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Saturday.
"Although the company said it would stop using gas-powered boats, we can't be sure. If the incident recurs, the losses will be enormous, especially on weekdays when a lot of people use the service," he said after the BMA held a meeting to discuss the incident.
At least 60 people were injured when the engine on the gas-powered commuter boat exploded, near the Wat Thep Leela pier on Khlong Saen Saep, one of the capital's busiest waterways for commuters.
The governor said he would inform the Transport Ministry of the BMA's decision, adding that authorities needed to be prepared to accommodate heavier weekday passenger demand if the Family Transport boats were not running.
"If the ministry agrees with us, we will find relief measures. We could use our boats to serve people, especially on Monday when there are a lot of commuters," he said.
He commended the company's prompt and responsible actions in announcing that it would cover all medical bills and compensate the victims for the damage.
Hours after the incident, Chavalit Metayaprapas, managing director of Family Transport, which holds the concession for boat service on Khlong Saen Saep, said his company would stop using all 25 gas-powered boats.
"We'll be using 47 diesel boats instead. The 25 LNG boats will be refitted to run on diesel like before. We won't be using gas again," he said.
He explained that he switched to gas eight years ago when world oil prices were at an all-time high around $140 a barrel — compared with $34 now — and the government was encouraging the use of alternative energy sources. "Our company avoided raising fares as a result."
Mr Chavalit admitted he was still confused about how the incident happened. "We have yet to identify the cause. We use LNG, of which the hazards are less than for diesel."
About 40,000 people use the company's service on weekdays and 20,000 on weekends, he added.
The company has been providing normal services since the incident but has switched to using diesel-powered boats exclusively.