At Frontline of Phuket Boats Accident: Volunteers of Confucius Institute at Phuket Heal Wounds with Love

At about 18:45, July 5th, two tour boats with Chinese tourists on board were suddenly struck by severe storm and capsized off the island of Phuket in Thailand. Up to 24:00, July 6th, 16 among the 127 Chinese tourists were dead, 33 missing and 78 rescued, and the injured were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

After receiving the news that night, Chen Xiaoda, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Phuket, Prince of Songkla University in Thailand, went to local hospitals with voluntary Chinese teachers that very night. They assisted the Phuket Consular Office of Chinese Consulate General in Songkhla, Thailand, by providing voluntary services such as making a missing list and comforting families of the injured.

Volunteers discussing service details

At 1:00, July 6th, Director Chen Xiaoda led new volunteer teachers who just arrived less than five days to Phuket Provincial Hospital, which took the most of the injured, and cooperated with the Chinese Embassy and Consulate General in comforting the affected and facilitating communication.

Among the teachers, three who could speak Thai language voluntarily did Chinese-Thai interpretation. Some worked for 12 hours nonstop, and one gave her glasses to a rescued countryman who suffered high myopia of same degree and loss of glasses which caused him great discomfort. With their heartwarming services, the volunteer teachers of the Confucius Institute brought homelike feelings to the injured compatriots.

Volunteer giving her glasses

Meanwhile, the local Chinese communities and social organizations all over Thailand all gave a helping hand since the accident. The Confucius Institute at Phuket also set up a “Chinese Volunteer Service Station” at the Phuket Provincial Hospital and coordinated the volunteers to provide more efficient services for the fellowmen.

On the early morning of July 7th, Lv Jian, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, and a delegation went to the Phuket Provincial Hospital, presented a fruit basket to each injured, extended their regards to representatives of the injured, inquired about their conditions and soothed their feelings. Their warm greetings brought comfort to the Chinese countrymen who had a narrow squeak in the accident. Besides, Ambassador Lv Jian spoke positively of the volunteer services of the Confucius Institute at the hospital.

Confucius Institute at Phuket winning praise

Chinese teachers of Confucius Institutes not only teach Chinese language and spread Chinese culture overseas, but also warm the Chinese compatriots when they are confronted with difficulties and dangers. “When trouble occurs at one spot, help comes from all quarters.” We hope that pain will go away soon and time will heal all wounds. Let us pray for the Chinese fellowmen in this accident.